The first McLennan County Harvest Celebration will be held Sept. 30 at the Crawford Community Center at 999 Fourth St. in Crawford.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in McLennan County is presenting the free event, which will run from 2:30-9 p.m.
Advance RSVP is required to attend; there will be no registrations on-site. RSVP by Sept. 23 to the AgriLife Extension office in McLennan County at 254-757-5180.
The free educational event will offer two Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units — one in integrated pest management and one in laws and regulations. There will also be a complimentary steak meal courtesy of event sponsors.
Celebrating agriculture in McLennan County
“This is a small way to say ‘thank you’ to our agriculture producers and our many friends,” said Shane McLellan, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resource agent for McLennan County.
McLennan County has over 573,000 acres devoted to agriculture production.
“That is over 895 square miles that are used to either grow crops or raise livestock,” McLellan said. “The economic impact of agriculture is over $400 million to our local economy.”
The event’s keynote speaker is Jason Johnson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension economist, Stephenville. McLellan said Johnson will speak frankly on agriculture and the future of the industry as he sees it.
Harvest Celebration sessions
The continuing education sessions will kick off at 2:30 p.m., with the first session offering the two CEUs.
“We will also have a live demonstration explaining the importance of soil health,” McLellan said. “Then there will be entertainment, a steak meal and a keynote speaker.”
He said participants will also hear from many agriculture businesses that provide services to the area. During the second session, McLellan said, they will recognize the Farmer of the Year as well as present the Business in Support of Agriculture award to this year’s outstanding business.
“These are accolades that are long overdue, and I look forward to recognizing the great contribution of our friends,” he said. “We have so many great farmers in McLennan County who also volunteer on committees, serve their community and educate everyone on how to be a sustainable ag producer and impact our county in a positive manner.
“These businesses and industry partners also work with AgriLife Extension and the ag community to further educational efforts and for the betterment of agriculture production.”
Ag Southwest Crop and Ranch Insurance, Axis Seed, B-H Genetics, Capital Farm Credit, Corteva-Phytogen and Corteva-Crop Protection, El Dorado Ag Products, Equalizer, Lone Star Ag Credit, McLennan County Farm Bureau, Pioneer Seeds, Texas Wheat Producers, TexStar Equipment and Washington County Tractor.
Other interested sponsors and vendors may contact McLellan at 254-757-5180.
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