Safety Precautions Can Help Reduce Lawn Mower, Garden Tractor Accidents
By Dr. Mario Villarino Dr. Mario Villarino,Texas AgriLife Extension AgentAgriculture and Natural Resources Warm weather is finally here, or at least for this week, but also several days of rain. Remember the say “April showers bring May flowers,” so rain should be welcome most of the time. The challenge is to keep up with lawn care in-between rainy days. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Safety program, most homeowners...
Blackberries, Dewberries Are Closely Related, Yet Very Different
By Dr. Mario Villarino Mario Villarino, DVM, Ph.D. Hopkins County Extension Agent Berries are common plants naturally existing in Hopkins County. There are many types of berries occurring in our farming sites and forested areas but the most prevalent are dewberries and blackberries. For many, berries are a fruit of value to human consumption, for others, berries are a common weed infesting pastures and meadows According to Dr. Vanessa...
After The Storm … Who to Contact For Tree Care Help
By Mario Villarino, DVM, Ph.D., Hopkins County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Defective trees often cause damage when catastrophes occur in urban areas. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, after a natural disaster there may be many tree care and removal companies offering their services. It is important to know how to choose the right person or company for the job. An arborist is a person trained in...
Basic Tips To Prevent Poultry Diseases
By Mario Villarino, DVM, Ph.D., Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR Animal disease prevention is responsibility of all members of the farming community. Poultry flocks represent a special challenge as far as public and animal health is concerned because smaller flocks are usually kept without veterinary care or sometimes maintained by people with limited experience. Also, even when those flocks are small in backyard flocks...
A Year in Review: 2018 Hopkins County Water Conservation
Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino,County Extension Agent forAgriculture and Natural ResourcesHopkins County, Texas Relevance: Water quality and conservation have emerged as predominant issues across Texas as indicated through local input, elected officials/legislative actions, and numerous other indicators. Water for domestic and agricultural use is becoming...
Flies and How to Get Rid of Them By Mario Villarino
Happy New Year 2018! We at the Hopkins County Extension Office will like to wish you a safe and happy new year 2018!. Recently a heavy infestation of flies has been reported inside homes around Hopkins County. I know because I personally have found them around my home lately. The cold weather differential between outdoors and heated homes lures them inside looking for survival when cold weather prevails. According to Dr. Michael...
Sam Songer
Sam Songer passed away Monday, Dec. 11, 2017 in Winnsboro, at Christus Mother Frances Hospital. He was born in Hugo, OK March 27, 1937, to Samuel Elbert and Dona Mae Bryant Songer. He served his country in the U.S. Navy. He married Gail Dixon in Dallas, on June 3, 1968. During most of his working career he was self-employed in the septic system business. Survivors include: Children: 10; Grandchildren: 19; Great-grandchildren:...
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Offers Something for Everyone and Summer Sewing Workshop
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Offers Something for Everyone Did you know that every state in the United States has an Extension Service? Did you know that every county in Texas has Extension Agents who work with them and that some agents in smaller counties work more than one county? Were you aware that some of the larger counties have multiple agents to cover the large territory? How much do you really know about your Hopkins...
2016 Hopkins County Water and Energy Conservation By Mario Villarino
2016 Hopkins County Water and Energy Conservation Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Hopkins County, Texas Relevance: Water quality and water quantity has emerged as the predominant issue across the state as indicated through local input, legislative efforts, and numerous other indicators. Agriculture is the largest water user in the state and agriculture is under...
Agrilife: October Is Busy Month For Extension Office
by Mario Villarino, DVM, Ph.D. October is probably the busiest month for the Hopkins County Extension Office and starts with the 4-H week! (October 2-8, 2016). We will get together Monday October 3rd, 2016 at 4:30 PM at the steps of the Hopkins County Courthouse to read the National 4-H proclamation with our County Judge Robert Newsom and enjoy our traditional 4-H cake and drinks. All public welcome!. We will also celebrate the...
