2013 Master Marketer Course – Registration is now open for the 2013 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Master Marketing Program. The course will begin on September 17th and will be held in El Campo, TX this year. The course consists of 64 hours of intensive marketing and risk management education for opportunities enabling Texas producers the possibility to improve their bottom line. Sessions are taught at a highly applied level while combining creative teaching and learning concepts to get successful results. Sessions are taught by some of the best speakers concerning topics involving weather, crop insurance strategies, financial management, futures markets, technical analysis, marketing plans, legal issues, and grain, cotton, and livestock fundamentals. Pre-registration is required by September 10 and is available online at https://agriliferegister/tamu.edu/AgEco or by phone at (979) 845-2604. The cost of the program is $340. Texas Grain Sorghum Producers are sponsors of this exceptional program and encourage sorghum producers to attend. If you are a sorghum farmer interested in a scholarship provided by TGSB to cover registration, please contact Wayne Cleveland at wcleveland@mindspring.com.
TAFA Young Farmer Grant Program – The Texas Agricultural Finance Authority (TAFA) Young Farmer Grant is now open to receive applications. The TAFA Board has announced the availability of $150,000 in Young Farmer Grants to expand or enhance agricultural production in Texas. The grants, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, are available to agricultural producers at least 18 but less than 46 years old. Original, signed applications must be received in the offices of the TDA by 5:00 pm, September 6th. For more information, click here.
Krienke Named to Regional Water Planning Group – Members of the Panhandle Regional Water Planning Group (RWPG) selected Danny Krienke as a member of Planning Group A at their most recent meeting in July. The legislature created the RWPG in 1997, to develop water supplies and prepare plans to meet the state’s future water needs. The Groundwater Management Area (GMA) Joint Planning Committee selected Krienke for this position because of his familiarity with the joint planning process and his demonstrated ability to represent all of the GMA. There are 16 planning groups made up of about 20 members. The planning groups allow for public involvement in direct planning and determine which water management strategies to recommend. Krienke farms in Ochiltree County and is past-president of Texas Grain Sorghum Association.
Annie’s Project – A women’s workshop series, Annie’s Project, is coming to Amarillo every Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. beginning on September 17 and running through October 30, 2013. The focus of this series, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension service specialist, is getting a grip on today’s agriculture business and becoming an effective farm partners and decision-maker. The mission of Annie’s Project is to empower farm women to be better business partners through networks and by managing and organizing critical information. The cost is $50/person and the class size is limited to 30. Registration slots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. The registration form is available online at http://bit.ly/12HTxJ4. According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, there was a 30 percent increase in the number of farms principally operated by women since 2002. Participants will receive training in critical decision-making and information areas addressing: production risk management, marketing risk management, financial risk management, estate planning resources, legal risk management and human resources risk management.
