Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Josh Blanek, 325-659-6523, j-blanek@tamu.edu
SAN ANGELO – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Tom Green County will be offering their annual “Last Chance” Continuing Education Unit Course from 12:30-6 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center.
The center is north of San Angelo on U.S. Highway 87.
Five Texas Department of Agriculture credits will be available; one in the integrated pest management category, two general, one laws and regulations and one drift minimization.
“This has become an annual event for us,” said Josh Blanek, AgriLife Extension agent in Tom Green County. “We call it the last chance course because it’s the last time our office will offer Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units before this year’s leap year,’ Feb. 29 deadline.”
Blanek said it is required that all Texas Department of Agriculture private applicator license holders earn 15 continuing education units in specific categories over the five-year period the license is valid. Older licenses renew at the end of February, though more recently issued licenses renew on the anniversary of the date they were originally issued.
“We will have some interesting talks this year,” Blanek said. “Dr. Sonja Swiger, AgriLife Extension entomologist at Stephenville, will review livestock insect pests that can cause problems in our area. She will also give us an update on the kissing bug that we’ve been seeing in the news the last couple of years.”
Other speakers will include:
– Dr. David Drake, AgriLife Extension agronomist at San Angelo, who will discuss weed management.
– Allison Watkins, AgriLife Extension horticulturist in Tom Green County, who will cover tree and landscape diseases.
– Dr. Billy Warrick, retired AgriLife Extension agronomist, who will address drift minimization and equipment calibration.
– Cory Pence, Texas Department of Agriculture representative in San Angelo, will discuss pesticide laws and regulation.
Individual registration is $25 due upon arrival. For more information and to RSVP so an accurate lunch and training materials count can be made, call the AgriLife Extension office in Tom Green County at 325-659-6523.
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