Northeast Texas Farmer’s Co-op is 80 Years Old!
On March 24, 2019, “the Co-op” as it’s known in Sulphur Springs will begin it’s 80th year serving the farming community in Hopkins County and it’s member-patrons. For a good segment of our population, the Co-op is a household word, and almost a member of the family. Most everyone knows General Manager Brad Johnson, also Donnie Peters, Store Manager and Jim Ratzlaff, Credit Manager. Among the...
What to Expect from the 4-H Program By Mario Villarino
I often get asked when new families join 4-H what to expect of the program. It is usually the word of 4-Hers and their families that provides the answer correctly. For many, it is the livestock projects, for others the very many other activities in 4-H. According to Marty Vahlenkamp (www. https://texasyouthlivestock.com) the answer for sure it is different for every 4-H’er depending on their goals and personal situation. The typical...
A Year In Review: By Mario Villarino
A year in review: 2018 4-H Hopkins County Agricultural Plan Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Hopkins County,Texas Relevance: 4-H Agriculture and Natural Resources projects are an important component of the county 4-H program in Texas. Currently, sixty three percent of Texas 4-H members are...
4-H Swine Validation By Mario Villarino
4-H Swine Validation- November 19, 2018 4:00 to 5:00 PM – Extension Office Swine is a generic word used to describe pigs. For 4-H, the swine project includes the selection, care and showing of a commercial pig. For the majority of our 4-H members, the NETLA junior market show is the livestock show where those projects will terminate but some also intent to show at major livestock shows. The swine project starts with making the...
4-H Grows Here By Johanna Hicks
4-H Grows Here! Every August, registration for 4-H membership begins. The 4-H year coincides with the school year, so that makes it easy to get in from the very beginning! For families who are new to the 4-H experience, allow me to start at the beginning. What is 4-H? 4-H is a national organization which helps young people develop...
Blackberries: Friend or Foe By Mario Villarino
As I started mowing more often and visiting sites around Hopkins County, the Blackberry weed has lately come into conversation often. Blackberries are plants that can be friends or foe depending of the intensity of the numbers of plants and purpose of the land. Some people might welcome them while others might have issues having them in their property. According to work done by the Noble Foundation in Oklahoma , Blackberry (Rubus sp.)...
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Test Your Knowledge By Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Test Your Knowledge During the past two months, I have presented programs for civic groups pertaining to Hopkins County Extension and what we have to offer. Although our volunteers and 4-H leaders are familiar with the variety of programs, workshops, program series, and events we offer, many people are simply unaware of who we are and what we do. So, before you read any further, take a...
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...
Partnerships and Team Work: A common trend in youth and adult education By Mario Villarino
During the third week of November, I got the opportunity to participate on the fourth and last session of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Leadership Workshop sponsored by the San Antonio Livestock Association. The 2016-2017 San Antonio Leadership Exposition (SALE-LE XII) training was conceptually designed to provide evidence of real experiences when leadership was executed. Recognizable or not, humans organize ourselves in teams...
Prussic Acid Intoxication of Cattle By Mario Villarino
Every years, as cold weather reaches Northeast Texas, concerns about toxicity of feed and feedstuff are common in our ranchers. Prussic acid poisoning also called hydrocyanic acid or cyanide poisoning. Cyanogenic compounds can develop in plants that are stressed; in the rumen the compounds are converted to cyanide, which can kill livestock. Livestock can show symptoms of intoxication within 5 minutes of eating plants with the poison,...
