Texas AgriLife Extension Service - Harris County Office

Texas AgriLife Extension Service-Harris County

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• Urban Rancher
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Page Contents

• Training Opportunities
• Topics
• Program Description

 

Urban Rancher

• Urban Rancher - Promotional Video
• 2009 Urban Rancher
1. Lecture and Workshop Schedule
2. Registration Form

Extension Volunteers branching out to assist their neighbors with research based training and information.

Training Opportunities

Evening Lectures and Saturday Workshops

Experts from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Harris County provide lectures pertaining to ranchette management. Candidates are encouraged to attend all Urban Rancher 2-hr Lectures and Saturday workshops (listed below).

The 2009 Harris County Sessions are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, February 17^th. Twelve 2-hour lectures are scheduled for every Tuesday evening through May 12^th (except April 14^th) to be held at the East Harris County Community Center . Four 6-hour Saturday workshops are scheduled for hands-on training (locations and dates for Saturday workshops TBA).

Topics (2009 Schedule, Harris County)

Evening Lectures – 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

• Landowner Liability and Condemnation
• Developing a Farm Business Plan
• Wildlife Habitat
• Purchasing Farm Equipment and Farm Equipment Safety
• Livestock Selection and Marketing
• Farm Pond Construction and Management
• Introduction to Beef Cattle Breeding
• Soil and Water Conservation
• Rural Laws
• Livestock and Equine Nutrition
• Wild Card Night
• Graduation and Steak Supper

Saturday Morning Workshops

• Private Pesticide Applicator Training, Testing and Sprayer Calibration (6-hr Workshop)
• Fence Building Workshop
• Pasture Forage Management and Weed/Brush Control
• Livestock Health and Chuteside Manners and Purchasing High Quality Hay

The Urban Rancher Program

Population growth in and around Harris County is on the rise. This is changing the face of southeast Texas agriculture. Large tracts of farmland that were once managed as single units are being subdivided into small tracts and sold to individuals who wish to escape the pressures of city living. These smaller parcels are commonly referred to as ranchettes, while individuals who make this move from population centers to small ranches are referred to as urban ranchers.

Urban ranchers either commute to a full-time job at in the city from their ranchette where they live, or they live in the city and operate land outside of Houston or Harris County. In both cases, weekends and holidays are typically devoted to work on their ranchette. Many ranchette operators have at least one college degree, but lack significant experience and adequate training in the agricultural sciences.

The Urban Rancher Volunteer program is designed to strengthen the technical knowledge of the ranchette operator by providing over 40 hours of classroom instruction and 20 hours of hands-on training across a comprehensive list of topics that pertain to ranch selection, establishment and management. Upon completion or the training series, individuals are invited to participate in planning and implementation of outreach activities with agriculture and natural resources programs with Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

 

Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxilary aids, services or accommodations in order to participate in Extension programs are encouraged to call 281.855.5600 to discuss specific needs.