Landowner’s Resource Workshop is well attended

On Sept. 27, The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office hosted a Landowner’s Resource workshop. This event had over 100 attendees who were able to receive information from state and federal agencies about programs that can enhance a land owner’s ability to manage land and care for natural resources while remaining profitable.

Jessica Rymel, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent, Cass County, spoke about the diagnostic and problem-solving tools available through our local extension office. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agency is an educational agency that is tasked with providing landowners with the most up to date and research-based information available. The services provided by the extension office are free and available to all residents of Cass County.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Biologist Penny Wilkerson explained the responsibilities of Texas Parks and Wildlife and the services that they offer landowners, ranging from Habitat Incentive Programs to providing sound management plans for different species of wildlife. Texas Parks and Wildlife also offers technical guidance to landowners about specific ways they can improve the habitat on their property to meet wildlife management goals.

Amanda Lowey from the Natural Resource Conservation Service, a branch of the United States Department of Agriculture, spoke about two financial assistance programs that are offered to landowners in Cass and Marion Counties. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers in order to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water, soil and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, reduced soil erosion and sedimentation or improved or created wildlife habitat. The Conservation Stewardship Program helps agricultural producers maintain and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservation activities that address priority resource concerns. Participants ear SDCP payments for conservation performance; the higher the performance the higher the payments.

Michael Weerts of the Texas A&M Forest Service presented information about how the local branch of the forest service can be beneficial to landowners of Cass County. The TFS offers landowners assistance programs like the Forest Stewardship Program and provides education and technical assistance in timber management, harvesting, fire prevention, insects, disease and invasive species. The TFS also works with landowners to promote stewardship, reforestation, and offer land management services.

Brian Whatley, Cass County Farm Bureau member, spoke about the benefits of joining the Cass County Farm Bureau. The Texas Farm Bureau is much more than an insurance agency and becoming a member supports a resilient, politically active, policy-driven organization that is passionate about helping Texas Land Owners to maintain their rights.

Cody Grayson from the Farm Service Agency spoke about the USDA programs that can provide assistance for agricultural operations in the county. The Farm Service Agency is responsible for the administration of many grant and loan programs for agricultural producers.

Pearlee Wells spoke about our options in Cass County for litter abatement as landowners take pride in leaving a small footprint and not destroying our environment through litter and waste.

Randy Verner from the Rural Community Development branch of the USDA spoke about the programs and plan in place to enhance infrastructure in rural place such as Cass County.

Jamie Hooker from the Wild Turkey Federation spoke about management services that the WTF offers landowners looking to improve their turkey habitat.

Fred Winters of the East Texas Timber Owners Association and Kay Burton from the Cass County Cattlemen’s Association both spoke about the benefits fo becoming a member of our local grassroots producer oriented associations.

The was an information-rich meeting that was meant to provide landowners with contact points and resources to ensure that we can maintain Cass County’s productivity well into the future. For information on these programs and more, contact the Cass County Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Office at 903.756.5391.