Multi-County New Landowner Series – Introduction (Ag & Wildlife Tax Valuation)

Possible AT Opportunity: VMS Category: Agrilife Land Management and Wildlife Conservation Workshops and Programs

Note: AT should support the mission of the TXMN program. This program may qualify for AT if your purpose in attending supports the TXMN program.  Contact AT coordinator Cindy Hobbs if you have any questions.

The Multi-County New Landowner Education program is a series of 8 informational meetings, seminars, and field days designed to make new landowners in Austin, Colorado, Fayette, & Washington Counties aware of what types of agricultural enterprises are best for their property.  Participants in the program will hear from experts in a variety of fields in agriculture about best management practices that can be implemented on their own property.  This innovative program assists new landowners in understanding the concepts of rural living.  Participants in the program are given exposure to ideas on raising livestock and horses, plant identification, fence building, applying pesticides, soil testing, stock pond management, pond construction, fruit and nut production, rain water harvesting, turf management, and much more.  The program also serves as a way for new residents of the four counties to network and meet new people in their communities, find out what can be done on their land, what operations can be successful, and possibly what opportunities they have to serve the community.

The programs will be held on the third Friday of the months of February through May and August through November.  Each month’s meeting will be held at different locations in one of the four counties. The meetings begin at 1:30pm and will last between 4 and 5 hours depending on the topic and possible tour stops.  The cost for the program series is $125.00 per person, $200.00 per couple for all eight meetings, $20.00 per person per meeting.  Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) for pesticide applicators will be offered as they are applicable.  A great selection of refreshments will be provided at each session.  Participants who sign up for the entire series will receive a notebook at the beginning of the series to fill as we progress through the program with handouts and reference material that will be useful as they move forward with improvements on their property.

The first meeting for the 2018 series will take place on Friday, February 16, 2018 at the Sens Activity Center in Austin County located at 200 Briar Ridge Dr. in Bellville.  Our initial session will provide an overview of the program, share information for local resources, and provide participants with an opportunity to learn more about the fundamentals of getting started with managing their property.  Appraisers from each county will also be on hand for individual county breakout sessions to help answer questions related to Ag/Wildlife Tax Valuation for participants.  This is a great opportunity to network with other new landowners and learn about resources that can be of great assistance to you in establishing an agricultural or wildlife exemption for your property.  Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity!

For more information please contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Austin County (979-865-2072), Colorado County (979-732-2082), Fayette County (979-968-5831), or Washington County (979-277-6212).  Registration materials and more information can also be found on our website, https://agrilife.org/coastalbend/nlo/