The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s series On the Line with AgriLife provides free 30-minute presentations on a variety of topics important to Texas agricultural producers. The popular current monthly series will expand in May to two sessions per month.
Envisioned as way to provide relevant and timely information to ranchers and farmers using a format where attendees can join online or call in from anywhere via a mobile phone, the series was designed to pack the most relevant content into a condensed format from AgriLife Extension experts.
The free half-hour programs are held on the Zoom meeting platform, and advance registration is recommended, or participants may call in to 346-248-7799 and use meeting number 953 6365 9870 for access.
Expanding the series
Emily Grant, AgriLife Extension agent for Val Verde County, said going to twice a month is a great opportunity for AgriLife Extension to cover more topics and reach more stakeholders.
The On the Line with AgriLife series started as a way for Grant and her fellow agents to address their stakeholders’ agricultural needs and concerns across the West Texas region. The series has since found a statewide audience because so many topics are relevant across Texas.
“The popularity of the series this past year led to the agents in neighboring districts joining the platform in a cooperative effort to provide expertise and answer questions for producers,” said Todd Swift, AgriLife Extension regional program leader, Uvalde. “Now they’ll be able to present an additional topic each month starting in May.”
“I participated in the On the Line with AgriLife Program during its first year,” said Dakota Kempken, AgriLife Extension agent for Bandera County. “I am eager to help expand this program into District 10, as I believe On the Line with AgriLife will be just as beneficial to the producers here in the South Region as it is for Far West Texas.”
Kempken said expanding the program to incorporate District 10 will allow AgriLife Extension to reach out to as many people as possible who may benefit from this programming.
April 20 continuing education update seminar
The next seminar is April 20 and will be “Private Applicator CEU Regulations Update” with Megan Clayton, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension range specialist, Corpus Christi.
Clayton said in-person opportunities to collect Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator continuing education units have been limited due to the pandemic.
“TDA has made some modifications and exceptions to allow our producers to renew their expiring applicators licenses in 2021,” said Grant. “Dr. Clayton will discuss these updates as related to COVID-19 and your applicator license, and some of the other changes from TDA. This is a great way to learn how to fulfill your CEU requirements now and in the future.”
Other upcoming On the Line with AgriLife topics include cotton, water harvesting, pest management in pecans, and how to use technology to improve sheep and goat breeding rates.
Additional information on the series can be found on the AgriLife Extension Far West Texas District 6 Facebook page. Videos of past topics and a schedule of upcoming topics are also available online. To get text reminders about programs, send @OTLWA to 81010.
