Community Input Desired for TexasSpeaks Assessment
Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Hopkins County, Texas TexasSpeaks is being conducted in County and across the State of Texas to allow the citizensof Texas to provide their input on the assets and issues in their communities. The local branchof the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has a...
Landscaping, Flower Garden Maintenance, Planting Recommendations From Texas AgriLife Extension For February
Submitted By Dr. Mario Villarino Here are some recommendations from Texas AgriLife Extension for February: If you have ash trees in your landscape, keep an eye open for the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis), an insect invader from China that has killed many thousands of ash trees in the eastern United States, and is approaching our region. The Texas Forest Service has recently begun a monitoring program in a number of counties...
NET Continuing Education Conference Held In Sulphur Springs
The ROC in Sulphur Springs Thursday served as the location for the 11th Annual District 4 Northeast Texas Continuing Education Conference, hosted by Texas AgriLife Extension Service. “It’s great to be serving the community,” Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Agent Mario Villarino said Thursday morning. “We are excited we were picked among other cities or counties that could have sponsored this today,”...
Even During A Pandemic, Extension Agents Find Ways To Assist, Educate, Connect With Texans
Hopkins County Extension Agents have found ways to continue to assist, educate and connect with Texas, even during a pandemic. While face-to-face events have been cancelled due to COVID-19, Extension Agents Dr. Mario Villarino and Johanna Hicks and Assistant Agent Jessica Taylor have risen to the challenge of continuing to offer educational programs and continue 4-H programming. Hopkins County Assistant Extension Agent Jessica Taylor,...
Powdery Mildew Symptoms of Cucurbits (Cucumbers, Squash, Watermelons)
By Dr. Mario Villarino, Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources Powdery mildew symptoms of cucurbits first appear in as pale, chlorotic spots on leaves that soon turn powdery-white in appearance (fungal spores) and spread to petioles and stems. The disease starts on the crown and lower leaves, mainly on the under-leaf shaded surface. Young plants may turn yellow, stunted, and may die. Severely...
Cool Season Weeds Can Be Detrimental To Warm Season Perennial Forages
Submitted by Dr. Mario Villarino, Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Agent, agriculture and natural resources. When it comes to controlling cool season weeds, Dr. Vanessa Olson, forage specialist from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension reports the following: As forage producers, we focus most of our energy on our warm season perennial pastures and hay meadows (bermudagrass, bahiagrass, etc.). That means most of our weed control efforts...
Winter Is A Wonderful Time To Plant Trees, Shrubs
Dr. Mario Villarino By Dr. Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent, Ag./NR As I was writing this piece, the temperatures overnight dropped below freezing levels. I wonder what happen to our fall? All I can remember was two weeks of mild temperatures this year. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, from a gardening perspective, the end of the year can seem to be relatively mundane. With the hustle and bustle of the...
Fall Tree Planting
Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Hopkins County, Texas The fall season is one of the most underutilized planting season for trees. In our county, the majority of the trees available for planting are offered in the spring season, although some retailers are slowly offering trees for sale during the...
Hopkins County United Way Adds Nearly $4,000 Toward 2019-2020 Campaign Goal
Mario Villarino turns in donations packets to Hopkins County United Way Co-Chair Bill Owens and Executive Secretary Susan Berning during the Oct. 15 campaign report meeting Hopkins County United Way campaign workers turned in nearly $4,000 in additional pledges and donations collected during week three of the 2019-2020 campaign to benefit 20 local organizations. As of the Oct. 15 report meeting $45,812.54 of the overall $165,000 goal...
Homeowner Maintenance of Aerobic Treatment Units Offered Aug. 21
By Dr. Mario Villarino, Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Homeowner Maintenance of Aerobic Treatment Units will be offered Aug. 21, from, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This course covers the components of an aerobic treatment unit and spray field. Presentations discuss the importance of maintaining an onsite wastewater treatment system, health and safety considerations, basic concepts about the...
