Calendar

Join us for a Square Foot Gardening Class presented by Veteran’s from the Battleground to Breaking Ground Program and Certified Square Foot Gardening Instructor Lois Mauk on April 22nd from 9-11:30AM! Reservations are online only and limited to 25 participants.

When all of your perfect produce has been sold, what do you do with the rest? Or do you just have an abundance of produce from your garden this year?

How about creating Value Added Products and generate more revenue!!

In Texas, the Cottage Food Law allows individuals to create canned goods for sale up to $50k without the use of a commercial kitchen. This could be a new revenue stream for you!!

Topics Covered:

• Cottage Food Law Requirements
• Food Safety
• Canning Safety
• Jam Making

Cost is $30: this includes a handy reference handout, lunch AND students will get to take home some of the finished product!!!

Virtual 1.5 hour QPR training exploring

• How the unique challenges farmers face can lead to stress, depression, and suicide.
• Examples of how to implement each QPR component.
• Strategies for helping someone at risk of suicide.

Looking to learn how to build your own hydroponic system? Not sure what kind of hydroponic system is right for you? Unsure of how to clean and maintain a hydroponic system? Plan to attend this workshop and add new tools to your knowledge base and perhaps a new skill. Added Bonus: 2 Door Prizes to be given away at the end of the workshop. Door prizes are 1 DIY Dutch Bucket System and 1 DIY Deep Water Culture System.

The Intro to Hydroponics workshop was put together by a group of participants currently going through the Battleground to Breaking Ground program as part of their Agritourism Team Project (Team Hydrophobics). The participants worked together to decide what type of workshop they wanted to host and then set about putting together the classes and reaching out to bring in a guest speaker. Hay Ewe Ranch has been mentoring the participants through the development and execution of the workshop.

Workshop sessions will include:

• Soil and Water Testing
• Obtaining Necessary Supplies and Inputs
• Planting Crops
• Options for Pest Control
• Planning Seeding Schedule
• Understanding Plant Media
• Germination Techniques
• Transplanting
• System Maintenance

Hands On Skills will include:

• Building a DIY System
• System Maintenance
• Mixing Sytem Nutrients

Workshop cost is $35 + taxes/fees which includes breakfast, lunch, and drinks. Please make sure to wear something comfortable (with long pants and closed toed shoes) as we will be outdoors on a working ranch. Recommended to bring bug spray, sunscreen, hat, gloves, and sunglasses (eye protection). Please keep an eye on the weather report and dress accordingly. For those with known allergies to bugs, insects, bees, etc. be sure to bring your epi-pen and/or benadryl. If you are unsure of allergy status, it is recommended to bring benadryl.

About 1 in 5 farmers, ranchers, and agriculture workers suffer from a disabling condition. Farm and ranch assessments provide solutions to keep farmers in their chosen occupation after acquiring a disability or chronic health condition. Whether you are a beginning farmer or life-long ag producer, farm assessments can be a helpful tool to keeping you in the driver’s seat of your operation.

During this webinar you will:

• Identify services available through Texas AgrAbility for farmers and ranchers with disabilities
• Analyze which individuals may be a good fit for a farm or ranch assessment
• Explore the process of conducting and agricultural worksite assessment
• Review assistive technology recommendation examples from a farm or ranch assessment

Farmers and farm families have experienced increasing pressure resulting in high levels of stress, mental health issues, and suicide. The Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) training teaches laypeople and professionals to recognize and respond to mental health crises. QPR for Farmers and Farm Families is specially tailored to the agricultural community.

In this 1.5-hour QPR training, you will explore:

• How the unique challenges farmers face can lead to stress, depression, and suicide.
• Examples of how to implement each QPR component.
• Strategies for helping someone at risk of suicide

• Flyer

Join us for a panel discussion featuring women in agriculture in Texas. The panel is comprised of females in the agriculture industry in various capacities and experience. Topics will include resources for women in agriculture, balancing work, life and the farm, and tips for beginners.

Panelists:

• Erin Kimbrough
• Heidi Barber
• Makenzie Thomas

Click HERE to register for the webinar

Trainer

Cene Cleaton, MSN, Total Farmer Health Coach

Cene has a diverse background in psychiatric-mental health nursing, pharmacy, and agriculture. As a military spouse, registered nurse, and farmer, she has a unique perspective on the issues facing rural populations. She is an advocate for increasing access to mental healthcare for rural populations and for specialized resources to help farmers and ranchers overcome physical disabilities and limitations. Along with her husband and four children, they own and operate a produce farm and nursery in rural Central Texas where they also train and mentor veterans and first-time farmers. They are also actively involved with the Texas AgrAbility Battleground to Breaking Ground Program and serve as a satellite training farm for distance learning students from Texas Tech and Central Texas College.

Click HERE to register for the webinar

Agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in the United States. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 453 farmers and agricultural workers died from a work-related injury in 2021, a rate of 19.5 deaths per 100,000 workers. Each day, agricultural workers experience 100 non-fatal lost-work-time injuries. Farming is also one of the few industries in which family members, including children, are also at risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries.

Small farm owners and operators need to recognize the hazards associated with farming and livestock operations and use best management practices and effective training programs to keep their families and employees safe. This webinar will cover the following components of an effective farm safety management program:

• Establishing Safety Policies and Procedures
• Identifying and Assessing Hazards and Risks
• Preventing and Controlling Hazards and Risks
• Educating and Training Employees
• Evaluating Training Programs and Resources

Featured Speaker

Dr. David Douphrate, PHD, MPT, MBA, CPE, CSP

Dr. Douphrate is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health at Texas A&M University. Dr. Douphrate earned a PhD in Environmental Health with an emphasis in Occupational Ergonomics and Safety from Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, CO. Dr. Douphrate also holds a Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, TX, and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, TX. Dr. Douphrate earned his BS degree in Kinesiology from Texas A&M University. Dr. Douphrate is a Certified Professional Ergonomist and Certified Safety Professional. His research and outreach focus for the past twenty years has been concentrated in the agricultural industry. Dr. Douphrate has partnered with a multitude of agricultural producer operations in many states, working diligently to learn industry needs while simultaneously gaining the trust of industry stakeholders (i.e., owners, managers and workers). Through these efforts he is recognized as a trusted partner to address worker health and safety on farms through research, outreach, and translation/dissemination initiatives.

Click HERE to register for the webinar