Agricultural producers in Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy counties encouraged to participate
Contacts: Enrique Perez, 956-361-8236, eperez@ag.tamu.edu,
Matthew Rodriguez, 956-689-2412, matthew.rodriguez@ag.tamu.edu,
Brad Cowan, 956-383-1026, b-cowan@tamu.edu,
Victor Gutierrez, 956-968-8815, victor.gutierrez@ag.tamu.edu
WESLACO– The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in the Lower Rio Grande Valley is offering its annual soil testing campaign Oct. 11-Jan. 31, according to agency personnel.
“We’re encouraging all commercial agricultural producers in Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties to take part in this free soil testing campaign to help with nutrient management and improve water quality,” said Victor Gutierrez, AgriLife Extension assistant in Weslaco. “This will be the seventeenth consecutive year we’re offering this service, and it’s been instrumental in reducing nutrient runoff from entering the Arroyo Colorado.”
Agricultural producers can pick up free soil sample bags and forms from AgriLife Extension offices in Willacy, Cameron and Hidalgo counties as well as the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Weslaco, said Brad Cowan, AgriLife Extension agent for agricultural and natural resources in Hidalgo County.
“The samples can then be dropped off at the AgriLife Extension offices for shipping to the laboratory at Texas A&M University in College Station — all at no cost to producers,” he said. “Results will be mailed directly to producers.”
“The soil testing campaign first began in the Valley in 2001 and has been funded by various sources,” Gutierrez said. “Since 2008 the campaign has been funded through the Arroyo Colorado Watershed Partnership with a Clean Water Act grant provided by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, administered through the Texas Water Resource Institute.”
The following is contact information for participating AgriLife Extension offices:
- Cameron County, 1390 W. U.S. Highway 83, San Benito, 956-361-8236, cameron-tx@tamu.edu.
- Hidalgo County, 410 N. 13th Ave., Edinburg, 956-383-1026, hidalgo-tx@tamu.edu.
- Willacy County, 170 N. 3rd St. Raymondville, 956-689-2412, willacy-tx@tamu.edu.
- District 12 office, 2401 E. Highway 83, Weslaco, 956-968-5581, d12south@ag.tamu.edu.
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