The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Gray County has an active March planned, including three scheduled training events. Each event will be held at the Gray County Annex, 12125 E. Frederic Ave., Pampa.
RSVPs are requested two days prior to each event by calling 806-669-8033 or 806-280-8010. Fees vary and all checks should be made to Gray County Ag Committee.
All Crops Update
On March 2, the All Crops Update, will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a lunch, sponsored by Capital Farm Credit in Pampa and the Texas Corn Producers Board, included.
The program will offer two general Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units for pesticide applicators. The cost is $20.
“This meeting will give the public a chance to look at some of the trials our AgriLife Extension specialists have conducted in the area over the past growing season,” said Nick Simpson, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Gray County. “This is going to be timely, unbiased information that growers can use as they make some upcoming seed and chemical purchase decisions.”
AgriLife Extension speakers, all from Amarillo, and their topics are:
- Ken Obasa, Ph.D., plant pathologist, corn and wheat fungicide options.
- Jourdan Bell, Ph.D., agronomist, cotton RACE trial/corn herbicide update.
- Kevin Heflin, Ph.D., agronomy program specialist, herbicide trial update.
- Justin Benavidez, Ph.D., economist, grains outlook.
“We will conclude with a look at the 2020 Crop Profitability Analyzer that will aid producers, managers and business leaders with budgeting purposes,” Simpson said.
Private Pesticide Applicator Training
A private pesticide applicator training is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 5. The fee for this training will be $75 to cover the cost of the materials.
“This meeting will provide individuals who are trying to obtain a private pesticide applicator license with the training needed prior to taking the test,” Simpson said. “AgriLife Extension’s role is to provide training and prepare participants for the applicator exam. The Texas Department of Agriculture is the responsible entity for testing and licensing.”
Importance of Estate Planning
The Importance of Estate Planning will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 10, with lunch provided. The cost is $25.
This program will feature discussions by Tiffany Dowell Lashmet, AgriLife Extension agricultural law specialist, and Justin Benavidez, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension economist, both from Amarillo.
“I feel this may have the most economic impact of any program in the Panhandle,” Simpson said. “The target audience will be individuals with property to pass down. But even if an individual has only assets and no property to pass to the next generation, the principles are similar, so it opens this program up to the general population.
He said as the topic can be very emotional and sensitive for people in a later stage of life, or approaching it, he would recommend people bring their adult children too.
“Some tough questions will be addressed in a neutral, educational environment,” Simpson said.
Lashmet offers a working list of estate planning steps to take.
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