North Central Texas Basic Agricultural Field Day

Sponsors

Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating. A member of the Texas A&M University System and its statewide Agriculture Program

The second North Central Texas Basic Agricultural Field Day is scheduled for Friday, April 24, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Myers Park and Event Center in McKinney, Texas, for those living in Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Fannin, Grayson, Hunt and Rockwall counties.

This year's program will focus on pond management, tractor safety, horticulture and organic livestock production. Attendees will have a chance to visit with a consultant or specialist in the areas of livestock, horticulture, economics, pasture and range, soils and crops, and wildlife and fisheries.

Registration is from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m., followed by the morning session which includes discussions on pond management and farm equipment safety. Exhibitors will be available to visit with throughout the day.

This field day provides useful timely information. It emphasizes topics for new agricultural producers or those who are interested in starting an agricultural operation.

Please Preregister by April 17
by mailing the form; by calling (972) 548-4233, (Texas AgriLIFE extension service in Collin County); or by emailing AgriLIFE Agent, Rick Maxwell.

After April 17, registration will be available at the door.

For more information, contact,
David Annis, Noble Foundation, (580) 224-6458; or your local Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service.

The cost for this field day is $20 for individuals, $30 for couples and $5 for children 17 and younger. Lunch is included. Download brochure

Speakers

Nathan Melson - B.S. in Animal Science, M.S. in Agricultural Science from Texas A&M University - Commerce

Melson and his wife, Ellen, own Sloans Creek Farm - a sixth generation family farm - in Dodd City, Texas. They have been using sustainable and organic practices since 2002. He serves as president of Citizens Organizing for Resources and Environment (CORE), a grass-roots northeast Texas organization working for responsible, sustainable business practices and land use.

Evan Whitley - B.S. in Range Management, M.S. in Range Nutrition, Ph.D. in Beef Cattle Management/Nutrition, all from Texas A&M University

Dr. Whitley is the executive vice president, Livestock Division, with Dakota Beef, the largest vertically integrated organic beef company in the U.S. Whitley’s responsibilities include the oversight of cattle/grain procurement and cattle development/finishing systems. He also develops mutually beneficial producer programs to increase marketing opportunities for Dakota Beef and its producer network.

Steve Upson - B.S. in Horticulture from Oklahoma State University, M.S. in Horticulture from Kansas State University

Upson has been a horticulturist with the Noble Foundation since 1988. He oversees Noble Foundation research and demonstration of raised bed gardening techniques and has promoted and implemented community gardening projects. In commercial horticulture, he specializes in modified environmental (hoop house) vegetable and small fruit production. He authored the video and publication Permanent Raised Bed Gardening and the publication Hit and Miss: The Cumulative Experiences of an Ex-Vegetable Grower.

Greg Church - B.S. in Biology from Stephen F. Austin State University, Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Texas A&M University

Dr. Church formerly worked at the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce, Fla., as a research plant pathologist and with the Texas AgriLIFE Research Station in Vernon, Texas. He currently works for Texas AgriLIFE Extension as the County Extension Agent for Horticulture in Collin County, Texas.