Washington County
Agriculture Photo by Cary Dietzmann
Texas became Texas right here in Washington County, so it only makes sense that Washington County is home to leaders in this field. From state of the art food manufacturing facilities to farm equipment and even "farm to table", the ag industry is an industry that impacts everyone's quality of life. As innovation continues for farming and agriculture resources, Washington County's Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office offers programs and tools to teach people how to improve agriculture and food production, advance health practices, protect the environment, and to strengthen the community by education and enrichments programs for youth. The face of agriculture in Washington County is forever changing. Historically many acres of cotton and corn covered the rolling hills of the county; however, only memories of these vast crop commodities remain today. Beef cattle and hay production are the primary agricultural commodities of today’s Washington County. Wildlife and natural resources management are of growing interest to established and new landowners alike. The Extension Office is here to help landowners as they work to actively manage their property with a focus on stewardship, economic sustainability, environmentally responsible, and a connection back to the land.
or want to learn more about beef cattle management, http://www. agrilifebookstore.org is a great resource. If the Washington County Office of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service can be of assistance to you, please stop by at 1305 East Blue Bell Road in Brenham, call (979) 277-6212, or email kjmatheney @ ag.tamu.edu.
Did you know? •
Texas leads the nation in number of farms and ranches, with 248,416 farms and ranches covering 127 million acres.
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Of 408,506 producers in Texas 37% are women.
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For 36% of producers in Texas, farming is their primary occupation.
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Of 127 million acres in farmland, 7% (176,837 acres) is dedicated to orchards.
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The average farm in Texas is 411 acres.
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The average farm size in Texas decreased by 12 acres from 2012.
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The average age of Texas farmers and ranchers is 59 years.
Specifi ally for our newest landowners in the area theWashington County Extension Office offers a diversity of programming to help navigate land and natural resource management. Traditionally these programs focus on topics such as Recreational Fish Pond Management, Native Grass Restoration and Management, Forage and Pasture Management, Beef Cattle Management, Equine Health, Backyard Gardening, Small Acreage Horticulture, and much more. These programs are designed to provide a blend of basic management techniques as well as any new information on current trends, techniques, or issues. Our agency utilizes local committees to identify issues or challenges facing residents of Washington County. Volunteers from these committees help County Extension Agents plan, implement, and evaluate educational programs offered to residents of Washington County. In addition to our commitment to continuing education our office trains Master Volunteers in the subject areas of gardening, natural resources, and wellness to provide intensive training and establish a network of trained volunteers to help extend the reach of Extension within the community. Volunteer opportunities are abundant through the Extension Office, from specific program area committees, and Extension Education Clubs, to Master Volunteer Programs and 4-H Clubs we are always excited to welcome new volunteers. We encourage you to take a moment and explore our website at https:// washington.agrilife.org/, like the Washington County – Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Facebook Page, or tune into the local station and listen to us on the radio. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has a great online bookstore that offers access to research-based publications in many different subject areas. Whether you’re looking for tips on canning vegetables 52
Washington County Chamber Magazine ✪ 2022
www.BrenhamTexas.com
