Cool Things Happening in Extension!

This may have nothing to do with insects, but Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is planning some pretty neat programs for 2015!

David Rodriguez, our horticulturist in Bexar County will be putting on a program about home brewing!  Backyard bees, chickens, gardening, canning and other self sustaining activities are of more and more interest to folks lately.  And now home brewing can certainly be added to the list.

Along with David, Joey Villarreal, Proprietor and Brewer of Blue Star Brewing Company, Todd Huntress, Operator of San Antonio Homebrew Supply & Home Brewer, and Bexar County Master Gardener and Home Brewer, Lou Kellogg will present this program on January 14th from 6:30-8:30pm.

The basics of what you need to know:

·         Held at Blue Star Brewing, The Blue Star Arts Complex, 1414 S. Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78210.  

·         2 CEUs.  Fee: $20.

·         RSVP to Angel Torres 210 467-6575 or email matorres@ag.tamu.edu.  

·         Must be 21 years of age or older.

TFor more information on this unique program, visit http://agrilife.org/bexarcounty/files/2014/11/01-14-15-Backyard-Gardening-The-Basics-of-Home-Brewing-101.pdf

If You've Ever Wanted to Grow Olives....

Olive production, management seminar slated for Dec. 15 in San Antonio

• Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu

• Contact: David Rodriguez, 210-467-6575, dhrodriguez@ag.tamu.edu

SAN ANTONIO – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present an Olive Production and Management Seminar at the dairy barn located on the San Antonio Livestock Exposition grounds from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 15.

The dairy barn is closest to the West Gate/Gate A entrance at 3201 E. Houston St.

Registration is from 8:30-9 a.m. and the program is open to commercial olive producers, small-acreage farm operators and the general public.

The cost is $30 and lunch and light refreshments will be provided.

A seminar on olive production and management in Texas will be held Dec. 15 inside the dairy barn on the San Antonio Livestock Exposition grounds. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Kathleen Phillips)

“The Texas Olive Oil Council is helping sponsor the event, which will be helpful for anyone already involved in or interested in olive production and how to manage an olive orchard,” said David Rodriguez, AgriLife Extension agent for horticulture, Bexar County. “We have some well-known experts in Texas horticulture as presenters, and they will share their expertise and give insights into the pros and cons of olive production in Texas.”

Rodriguez said topics and presenters will include:

– The current status of Texas olive production, site selection and cold mitigation, Monte Nesbitt, AgriLife Extension horticulture program specialist, College Station.

– Comparing the advantages of growing olives in California and Texas, Jim Kamas, AgriLife Extension fruit specialist, Fredericksburg.

– The challenges of harvesting and milling olives, Dr. Larry Stein, associate department head and AgriLife Extension horticulture specialist, Uvalde.

– Current and past research projects by Texas Tech University, Dr. Thayne Montague, Texas Tech University associate professor of horticulture with joint appointment to Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Lubbock.

– Proposed Texas A&M AgriLife Research projects, Dr. Raul Cabrera, AgriLife Research horticulturist, Uvalde.

– AgriLife Extension variety and site selection trials, Nesbitt.

Presentations will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

To register and for more information, contact Angel Torres at 210-467-6575 or matorres@ag.tamu.edu. The registration deadline is noon Dec. 12.