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Who Rules America?
T
hose who believe that hardworking, taxpaying citizens should have input into political decisions, are fooled again. For several years those folks who want to know where their beef or pork came from have been able to read the “country of origin” labels on the meat packages. Now, thanks to the meat packers, the importers, the grocery chains and others who declared COOL “too costly” may be winning. The agriculture committee in the U.S. House of Representatives voted a few days ago to abandon COOL. With nearly 75% of grocery shoppers favoring the program, it seems the cowboys—and cowgirls—may be on the losing end. Now the elected know-it-alls are also studying doing away
with any information to consumers about where our dinner table seafood came from. With about 90% of our shrimp—and other seafood—being grown in Vietnam, Thailand, China and other third world countries, the pressure is on to do away with seafood COOL. What customers want doesn’t count, it seems. It doesn’t seem to matter that a lot of the imported seafood has been fed human and animal waste, illegal antibiotics or processed in filthy plants. At least for now, COOL is still in existence for red meats, seafood and fruits and vegetables. Hopefully a public outcry can keep the programs intact! From Austin more political news--courtesy of the Legislature now in session. One is a bill to “raise” the $15,000 home-
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
stead exemption to $25,000. Only one major problem! Would mean less money for
schools unless the property tax rate was raised—or the appraisal values of homes increases
dramatically. But, never mind! Our illustrious state officials can claim they gave us tax relief—and too many taxpayers will thank them for nothing! Then our elected officials will blame someone else when taxes go up! The measure will be on the ballot this November for voter approval, or disapproval. President Obama opens his mouth often to ridicule those Americans who are critical of his “leadership”. His latest criticism was directed at private schools—which Obama seems to detest. Maybe he forgets that his kids go to exclusive and expensive private schools in Washington. And that Obama was educated in a high dollar private school in Hawaii. And that both he and his wife were educated at private colleges in our country
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without costing them a red cent! Obama said that educating children in private schools “leads to an anti-governmental ideology”. Is this where he and his wife get their anti-American views? Obama also has recently praised Muslims for “building the very fabric of our nation”. Sounds like praise for a religion with too many members who are spending their time, and money, to bring down our free enterprise system in the U.S. Interesting to note that the growing Muslim population in the U.S. is a recent phenomenon. In the first two hundred years of building of this nation, Muslims were noticeably absent. Sorry, I have a tough time being “politically correct”. That’s –30—Horace@valornet.com
May-June 2015
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LaRue Family runs longhorn ranch By JEAN RIGGS Review Correspondent
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eana and Jim Harris were like a lot small ranchers back in 1996 when they purchased an old farmhouse and 60 acres of land near LaRue. They needed cows to qualify for their
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May-June 2015
agricultural tax exemption. They chose to raise Longhorn cattle for their cow/calf operation. They began with six cows and four calves, and now almost 30 years later, they have a total of 16 head of Texas Longhorns. Herds are not intended to grow large in this type ranching. The Harris’ initially were helping
a friend to renovate the house for his mother. After removing all the wiring, plumbing and walls, the friend suddenly died from an aneurysm. His son offered the place to them. They accepted, and completed the renovation. “We did it all ourselves,” Deana said. “We added two bedrooms and a bath for their children,
Adam, age 13, and Kayla, age 12. Husband Jim works full time for East Texas Medical Center, leaving the ranch management position to Deana. Currently, they have a barn, as well as a 4-stall horse barn. Deana said they have a 30-acre hay meadow, and two ponds on the property. About 12 years ago,
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Deana’s mother’s health began to decline, so the decision was to move her mother closer to the family. “The luxury of having this much property is that we fenced off a few acres next door, put a house on it, and now Mom is right next door,” Deana said. See LONGHORN, Page 11
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
Hurricane Charlotte
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very now and then a feller has a weekend that is hard to forget. I had one years ago on a beautiful ranch in southern California. It was one of those trail rides you read about in Western Horseman magazine. There were about 200 head of assorted real estate agents, bankers, insurance men, judges, lawyers, doctors and a hand full of “token cowboys” to catch runaway horses, sing ol’ campfire ditties and add “color” to the project. It’s kind of a boys camp for big boys. Now I’m here to tell ya these fellers do it up right! It’s catered by a famous cook. None of this ol’ salt pork and beans, no sir! Chalupas and tacos made from homemade tortillas, crab legs, barbecue, steaks, lobster meat and chicken wings! Mariachi and bluegrass music filled the air every time the ride stopped for ref re s h ments. I planned on sleepin’ in the big tent but I heard some of the celebrants around the campfire makin’ plans to set the tent afire. I drug my bedroll out into the grass. I woke at 5 to the sound of “Under the Double Eagle” played by a marching band complete with a bass drum marching through the camp. At noon they entered me in a horse race. They said I won. I was just about to fall asleep on my feet when they brought out the mud wrestlers! Harley said we better stay. Now I had never heard of this mud wrestlin’ but it’s where two opponents get out in this mud arena and rassle. In this case it was
two ladies who appeared to me to be ‘professionals’. There was some debate over who won but then the mud rasslin’ ring master announced that he’s got a mud rassler who’ll rassle anybody in the crowd. To make it interesting they auctioned off the right to choose the opponent. An ex-friend of mine bought the rights and selected me to represent the “boys club.” Two big ol’ boys caught me halfway to the car and helped me change into the mud rasslin’ costume furnished by the management. It was a little muddy bathin’ suit. They drug me back into the arena by my hind legs. It was like those ol’ movies where they’re havin’ a boxing match or a dog fight. All these fellers hoverin’ around in a circle wavin’ cigars and five dollar bills. I wuz just gettin’ set to make
my move and faint when this lady walks up and puts her chin on the top of my head! I looked her right in the neck and said, “Ma’am, what’s your name?” She said, “Hurricane Charlotte.” I didn’t ask any more questions. The next 15 minutes was like bein’ in a clothes dryer with an anvil and 50 pounds of horse shoes! Every time I’d look up another part of her was descending on me! I remember them dragging me to the shower afterwards. They said I did good....I only got pinned five times! www.baxterblack.com
Rain levels concerning local farmers By ALEX HUDDLESTON @AHuddlestonPHP
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ith spring showers upon us, many local producers are thinking that they should have been more careful what they wished for. The wettest season on record for many counties is causing headaches for Texas agriculture. The advent of 2015’s El Nino system is creating a perfect storm of problems for many local producers. The most visible impact of excess rain is flooding. In addition to rivers breaching their banks and flowing over dams, smaller-scale flooding can wash out a field, drowning young plants and preventing farmers from using heavy equipment. However, according to Anderson County growers the biggest problem is not flooding or standing water, it’s the explosion of weeds the rain has produced. “The biggest frustration has been being unable to keep our fields manicured,” Tim Evans, owner of Lake Creek Blueberry Farm said. “We have to run the rows with a weed eater, you cannot get a tractor down there anymore.” “We’ve had so many weeds that our mechanical cultivators are just not able to stay up with it,” Billy Moore, owner of Just Peachy Farms added. “One thing Palestine can grow are weeds, Anderson County is probably the best at it.” While weeds may be, at best, an unsightly nuisance for non-farmers, for producers weeds can choke the life out of a crop. Weeds compete for resources with plants, and while there’s no shortage of water sunlight is what’s needed during the crucial
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growing season. “The weeds are actually smothering things, like Okra ... squash,” Moore said. “The peas are fighting it pretty well.” For orchard growers, like Evans, the impact has been felt much less than for others. All his plants begin the season mature, and don’t require as much growth to be ready to produce. “Our growth is 29 years old, my brother, his wife, and my wife planted the orchard 29 years ago,” Evans explained “Also, we’re on 60 feet of sand. When the rain comes, it doesn’t take long for it to go away,” But for most producers, each season requires new planting, and those new plants need the sun. “Without sunshine you don’t get photosynthesis. We’re getting a great
deal of stunted growth,” Moore said. “That’s putting our harvest way behind.” Of course, the rain is not all bad. Agriculture benefits more than any other industry from rain. In addition, Texas has been under drought conditions for years, which now finally seem to have an end in sight. For those who haven’t had their timetable pushed back, the excess water is a great benefit to to their fields. “I have not even had to turn on the pump this year. I have done nothing to irrigate,” Evans said. “I know there’s been so many tragedies for so many others, but the rain has been a good thing, for us.” But even that has its own downsides. Many preparations farmers have taken against the drought are either useless, or even worse, actu-
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ally working against farming operations. “I’ve built up my irrigation systems to get around the drought, I have probably almost three miles of underground drip irrigation,” Moore explained. “We do use a lot of rainwater in our greenhouses, but not in the fields.” Whether good or bad, the rain appears to be here to stay. New forecasts are predicting that the wet weather could last well into summer, with storms continuing to pummel East Texas through June and July. How this will affect Texas agriculture in the long term remains to be seen, but for now some farmers are asking themselves when the silver lining on these clouds will appear.
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
Youth is not wasted on the young! By Fred VanderMartin
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hildren are precious. In most people’s lives the grandest desire is to find a compatible mate, marry, and procreate. The product of our procreation, our children, are cuddled and pampered and protected and cared for in the hopes that they’ll grow to be respected and responsible citizens of this big blue marble they call planet Earth. Along the way of this growth there’s learning and living with others and a life that can be wondrous and warm. Learning and living with others can be either hard or easy depending on the social conditions that our children live under and there’s no guarantee that wealth and wellbeing can make life easy. The only guarantee given with life is that we all have to live the life we’re issued. There ain’t no do overs! As parents, we try to do the best for our children with what we’ve got. We provide the best sustenance and succor that we can afford and try to provide guidance and education in living and loving. There’s lots of helpers like relatives and teachers to help parents in their efforts to raise their children. Many of these helpers may be folks who raise livestock or teach in the agricultural fields at rural schools. In many small cities and towns even the “Town Kids” raise and show livestock and study in agricultural sciences at school districts that manage to main-
tain their Ag Sciences programs. 4-H and FFA are there to help out with the children’s education and provide the companionship and camaraderie of human interaction with like-minded peers and friends. The East Texas Goat Raisers As-
meat, dairy, fiber, or companion breeds of goats. She’s also got a core group of parents and older youth members who help her earning funds with raffles at shows and events throughout the year. She encourages participation with the youngsters by
benefit the youth in Texas. There will be an instructional clinic for both the Youngsters and Adults at our home place on June 27th, There will be instruction for both dairy and market showing that will include instruction on Showmanship, grooming, feed-
sociation has made the education of our youth a priority and has revitalized and renamed their Show Team to the East Texas Goat Raisers Association Youth. A fine youth adult leader and adviser, Valre Leger, has revamped the ETGRA Youth to be more inclusive to all the children of our members and all Youth that would care to join and participate whether they raise
keeping a points system where they can earn points for showing or attending instructional seminars or helping out at ETGRA events. At the end of the year all youth can receive awards at our ETGRA meeting, those awards can include buckles and such depending on how many points they earn throughout the year. The ETGRA Youth will be holding two events in June and July to
ing, general care, and selection. Then in July on the 18th they will be holding a youth market and breeding goat show in Fairfield, Texas at the Ike Carden Arena. So all of you Youngsters and Oldsters come on out to support our ETGRA Youth programs and have a fun and informative good time! The East Texas Goat Raisers Association Youth would like ya’ll to come out to their Dairy and
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
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Market Show Goat Clinic at the ETGRA Home Place on June 27th starting at 9 a.m. Mr. Jimmy Key for market and Mr. Scott Horner for Dairy will give instruction on Showmanship, grooming, feeding, general care, and selection. Participants are welcome to bring their goats. This is a FREE clinic for all youngsters AND oldsters who would like to apply their new skills in the show ring and a hot dog/hamburger lunch will be offered. Please RSVP to Valre Leger, phone: 409-2734243 or e-mail: izzydum1@yahoo.com. A map to the ETGRA Home Place can be found at http://etgra.com/etgra/scan0001. jpg or directions at https:// www.facebook.com/notes/easttexas-goat-raisers-association/ directions-to-the-etgra-homeplace/925554017488657 and signs will be placed on the road to find our home place. Ya’ll come on out and learn! The East Texas Goat Raisers Association would like to invite one and all to their 2015 Summer General Membership Meeting and Learning Experience at the ETGRA Home Place scheduled for Saturday, July 11 starting at 10 a.m. We’re proud to announce that Dr. Frank Pinkerton, The Goat Man, will give an intimate discussion and Q&A session for the learning experience. There will be a FREE pot luck lunch (Your delectable dishes are always welcomed and shared) offered followed See YOUTH, Page 18
May-June 2015
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Tomato time in J’ville! Cherokee County
By April Barbe
editor@jacksonvilleprogress.com t’s that time of year again! The annual Jacksonville Tomato Fest will be held Saturday, June 13, in downtown Jacksonville. The festival draws a multitude of folks each year, as the town celebrates the red, juicy fruit that gave it its beginnings. The 31st Annual Tomato Fest begins at 9 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m. Downtown activities will include an antique car show, arts and crafts vendors, Best Home Grown Tomato Contest, a Boy Scout Museum, food and farmers’ market vendors, health screenings, a history display, a Kid’s Zone and many other tomato-related contest for folks to enjoy! A gospel concert will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. downtown, and the 10th Annual Chili’s Street Dance will be from 7
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to 10 p.m. at 1225 S. Jackson St. Entertainment will be provided by Reagan Johnson, Lady Chazz & The Tramps and Group Therapy. Jacksonville began in 1847 as the town of Gum Creek. Jackson Smith built a home and blacksmith shop in the area, and became postmaster in 1848, when a post office was authorized. Shortly afterward, Dr. William Jackson established an office near Smith’s shop. When the townsite was laid out in 1850, the name Jacksonville was chosen in honor of these two men. The name of the post office was changed from Gum Creek to Jacksonville in June 1850. Jacksonville’s production of tomatoes near the time of the Great Depression gave it the title of “Tomato Capital of the World” for many years. For more information about this year’s Tomato Fest visit, www.jacksonvilletexas.com or call the Chamber at (903) 586-2217.
One-day gardening conference set TYLER – The Smith County Master Gardener Association will host a one-day gardening conference, Jewels in the Garden, June 6, 2015 at the Rose Garden Center in memory of Master Gardener Sue Adee. Registration is $35 and at the door. The event starts at 8:30 a.m. with registration, and the program begins at 9 a.m. The event is open to the public and lunch is included. Speakers will include: • “Great Ideas for the Modern Garden with True Gems and Jewels for your Garden” with Nicholas Staddon – Director of New Plant Program, Monrovia, California • “Landscaping with Fruits and Vegetables and other Delicious Garden Beauties” with Tom LeRoy, Extension Agent for Montgomery County, Texas (Retired) • “Using Native and Passalong Plants in the Landscape” with Steve Huddleston-Director of Fort Worth Botanic Gardens • “New to you and more-A Garden Adventure” with Staddon • Tour four gardens created by the Smith County Master Gardeners Adee was recently named as an MG Emerita. The information on the Texas State Master Gardener site says in part: “Sue Adee was in the first Master Gardener class in 1994, and has been deeply involved with the organization from the beginning until the present. Sue led the creation of the Smith County Master Gardener Association in 1994 and was its first president for two terms from 1994 to 1996.” Sue passed away on January 9, 2015. For more information about the event visit http://txmg.org/smith/ jewels or contact Texas A&M Extension Service, Smith County at 903-590-2980.
Still time to apply for FSA program Low-Interest Loans Can Help Producers Start or Expand Farms COLLEGE STATION — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Texas Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Judith A. Canales, today announced that farmers and ranchers still have time to apply for low interest loans available
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May-June 2015
through the FSA direct farm ownership program. Applications must be approved by Sept. 30, 2015 to take advantage of the funding available. Eligible farmers and ranchers can borrow up to $300,000 to buy farmland, construct or repair buildings, pay closing costs, or promote soil and water conservation. The interest rate can be as low as 1.5 percent with up to 40 years to repay. “If you are thinking about purchasing
or expanding your farm or ranch, our affordable loans can help,” said Canales. “There are no backlogs or waiting for funds, so give us a call today.” New farmers and ranchers, military veterans, and underserved farmers and ranchers also are encouraged to apply. Each year Congress targets 80 percent of available loan funds to beginning and targeted underserved farmers and ranchers. Targeted un-
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derserved groups include American Indians or Alaskan Natives, Asians, Blacks or African Americans, Native Hawaiians, or other Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and women. For more information about farm loan, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/farmloans, or contact your local FSA office. To find your local FSA county office, visit https://offices.usda.gov.
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
Frankston Elementary teaches horticulture By Haley Hoar @HHoarPHP FRANKSTON — Spring brought a plentiful bounty to the fourth and fifth graders of Frankston Elementary this year. The school, partnered with the Anderson County Master Gardeners, saw results from their new gardening project. Frankston Elementary has added, with the help of a grant awarded by The United Methodist Church, a patio area complete with tables and benches to allow for an outdoor classroom setting. Also featured is three producing raised bed gardens. The project was the result of social studies teacher, Shannon Johnson’s, dedication to bring alternative learning experiences to
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
her students. “The United Methodist Church was going to give a grant to teachers who were doing really cool things with kids,” Johnson said. She applied for the grant and was awarded funds to purchase supplies for an outdoor classroom. She then began meeting with Pam Denson, Anderson County Master Gardener, to discuss her vision for what they could do with the space. “We wanted it to be a total learning experience that would be prompt a love of gardening that they would use for the rest of their lives,” Johnson said. They decided to make raised garden beds as a way to teach the students about gardening. Denson worked with area suppliers and received discounts from Cooksey Lumber Yard in Elkhart and donations
from Lowes and Iron Gate Feed. The school maintenance staff built the beds, but all of the planting and tending was handled by the students. Two of the gardens held items such as onions, strawberries and lettuce as well as other produce. The third bed holds an herb garden. “The kids have really loved the herbs because they smell so good” Johnson said. “They’ve gotten where they can identify them just by the scent.” Denson made monthly trips to the classes to help explain the differences of the plants, seeds and what they produce. “They’ve loved it,” Johnson said. “They just can’t wait until the next time that Mrs. Denson comes.” In addition to learning about the produce they plant, the students have also learned
how to care for and maintain their garden. So far the students harvested radishes and lettuce and made a salad they got to eat in class. Johnson also said that it was important to teach the students good stewardship. All of the overflow produce from the garden is taken to the Rainbow House Food Pantry. “The kids have really responded to it, many of the kids came back very quickly and they had already started gardens at home,” Johnson said. “Parents were commenting on how excited the kids were about having gardens at home.” Johnson said she hopes to continue the gardening project through to the next year so that other students can share in the fun.
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May-June 2015
9
EAST TEXAS ANDERSON CO. LIVESTOCK Updated: 5/20/2015 Head Count: 00 Buyers: 00 Sellers: 00
STOCK PRICES EAST TEXAS LIVESTOCK INC. Updated: 5/19/2015 Cows: 76 Bulls: 8 Buyers: 35 Sellers: 87
DUE TO FLOODING IN THE AREA, THERE WAS NOT A SALE CONDUCTED THIS WEEK.
STEERS 300 lbs - DOWN: $390-$455 305 lbs - 400 lbs: $355-$372.50 405 lbs - 500 lbs: $280-$324 505 lbs - 600 lbs: $235-$270 605 lbs - 800 lbs: $210-$236
WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THAT THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED AND HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE NEXT WEEK.
HEIFERS 300 lbs - DOWN: $355-$445 305 lbs - 400 lbs: $290-$330 405 lbs - 500 lbs: $245-$270 505 lbs - 600 lbs: $215-$264 605 lbs - 800 lbs: $190-$220 SLAUGHTER Cows: $89-$123 Bulls: $125-$144
THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED SALE WILL BE CONDUCTED ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 27TH, 2015. TRI-COUNTY LIVESTOCK MARKET Updated: 5/16/2015 Head Count: 482 STEERS 300 lbs - DOWN: $2.70-$4.20 lb 300 lbs - 400 lbs: $2.35-$3.70 lb 400 lbs - 500 lbs: $2.20-$3.07 lb 500 lbs - 600 lbs: $2.10-$2.75 lb 600 lbs - 700 lbs: $2.00-$2.61 lb 700 lbs - 800 lbs: $1.75-$2.31 lb HEIFERS 300 lbs - DOWN: $2.30-$3.71 lb 300 lbs - 400 lbs: $2.15-$3.20 lb 400 lbs - 500 lbs: $2.10-$2.73 lb 500 lbs - 600 lbs: $1.95-$2.61 lb 600 lbs - 700 lbs: $1.90-$2.41 lb 700 lbs - 800 lbs: $1.75-$2.25 lb SLAUGHTER Cows: $0.80 - $1.22 Heavy Bulls: $1.15 - $1.50 PAIRS Pairs: $1500 - $2600 Stocker Cows: $1200 - $2890 Baby Calves - None
PAIRS NO TEST! BRED COWS $1750 - $2600/hd
NACOGDOCHES LIVESTOCK EX. Updated: 5/14/2015 Head Count: 818 Buyers: 80 Sellers: 81 STEERS 300 lbs - DOWN: $2.75-$4.40 lb 300 lbs - 400 lbs: $2.56-$3.50 lb 400 lbs - 500 lbs: $2.20-$2.85 lb 500 lbs - UP: $1.90-$2.70 lb HEIFERS 300 lbs - DOWN: $2.60-$4.40 lb 300 lbs - 400 lbs: $2.42-$3.20 lb 400 lbs - 500 lbs: $2.10-$2.80 lb 500 lbs - UP: $1.65-$2.55 lb SLAUGHTER Cows: $0.80 - $1.27 lb Bulls: $1.15 - $1.47 lb PAIRS $1350 - $3700 Stocker Cows: $975-$3400 hd Baby Calves: $150 - $500 hd Horses: None Goats: $75 - $200 hd
HUNTS LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE Updated: 5/18/2015 Head Count: 415 huntlivestockexchange.com STEERS 200 lbs - 299 lbs $3.30-$4.70 lb 300 lbs - 399 lbs: $2.25-$3.65 lb 400 lbs - 499 lbs: $2.09-$3.00 lb 500 lbs - 599 lbs: $1.70-$2.75 lb 600 lbs - 699 lbs: $1.79-$2.60 lb 700 lbs - 799 lbs: $1.40-$2.30 lb HEIFERS 200 lbs - 299 lbs $3.25-$4.55 lb 300 lbs - 399 lbs: $2.49-$3.60 lb 400 lbs - 499 lbs: $2.23-$2.73 lb 500 lbs - 599 lbs: $2.10-$2.60 lb 600 lbs - 699 lbs: $1.80-$2.40 lb 700 lbs - 799 lbs: $1.70-$2.25 lb SLAUGHTER Cows: $0.80 - $1.24 lb Bulls: $1.30 - $1.40 lb PAIRS $1610 - $3225 Stocker Cows: $850-$2625
ATHENS COMMISSION CO. Updated: 5/15/2015 Head Count: 681 Sellers: 139 Sale EVERY Friday At 11am STEERS 300 lbs - DOWN: $2.00-$4.70 lb 300 lbs - 400 lbs: $1.90-$4.10 lb 400 lbs - 500 lbs: $1.80-$3.50 lb 500 lbs - UP: $1.70-$2.75 lb HEIFERS 300 lbs - DOWN: $2.00-$4.20 lb 300 lbs - 400 lbs: $1.90-$3.40 lb 400 lbs - 500 lbs: $1.80-$2.75 lb 500 lbs - UP: $1.70-$2.50 lb SLAUGHTER Cows: $0.70 - $1.26 lb Heavy Bulls: $1.15-$1.51 lb PAIRS Top: $2000 - $3150 Low Middle: $1000 - $2000 Stocker Cows: $1.25 - $2.50 lb Baby calves: None Horses: $125 - $520 hd Goats: $50 - $200 hd
This report is a GUIDE only. It is provided to show market trends and is NOT INFLATED to deceive producers or the general public.
LONGHORN continued from Page 4 In addition to the cattle, there are four dogs and a horse named Ginger that call the place home as well. Ginger is 6-years-old, and has never had a saddle on her. Although the Harris’ owned and rode horses for many years, it was more Deana’s passion than Jim’s. However, when the horse named Ginger was born, her mother not only rejected her, but tried to end her life. After a quick trip to the vet, who managed to get some colostrum into the foal, the mother fought her the entire time. They were faced with a dilemma. As fate would have it, another couple was also in the same situation with a foal whose mother had died. The other couple offered to purchase all the supplies, and pay all the expenses if the Harris’ would bottle-feed their foal, as well as theirs. And so for a year, the Harris’ took turns feeding the foals. Deana said that in the beginning, she and Jim had to feed them every two hours. Then, as they grew older, Deana took the night shift, and Jim the early morning shift, and successfully raised both foals. Of course, the owners of the other foal, kept in close contact, and took their baby home, leaving Ginger alone with a herd of Longhorns. “Ginger is just as spoiled as our cows,” Deana said. Since the Harris family elected to keep some of their heifers, the herd bull has to be replaced every three or four years. Deana said they have dealt with the same buyer from whom they purchased their initial herd.
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
For many years, the Harris did not own a bull. They would borrow the buyer’s bull, in exchange for a bull calf. The buyer continues to purchase their bull calves, and on his last trip, just a few days ago, he also picked up Moon. Moon was Deana’s 4-year-old herd bull she dearly loved. He was massive, and just more than a bit intimidating to anyone who saw him, but Moon was born on the ranch, and Deana had raised him from a calf which would eat out of her hand. It broke her heart, but such is life on a small operation. Besides, said Deana, he was behaving very aggressively toward the new bull calves. The width of his horns prevented him from seriously injuring one of the calves, but he did have him penned. Holding back tears, Deana hopes Moon will find a good home. Jim teases her, saying they will be serving him a What-A-Burger next week. “Noooo,” says Deana, unable to bear the thought. Jim just chuckled. It would seem he still delights in teasing his wife even after 34 years of marriage. Their buyer also delivered a younger bull for her herd, and Deana loves his looks. She and the kids are still deliberating on a name, as he will be around for a few years. And yes, she names them all. Lucy and Ethel are among the original herd, and she is working on names for the newly-born calves. Such are the joys of their cow/calf operation.
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May-June 2015
11
Cooking Wisely
RED, WHITE & BLUE SALAD
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I look forward to summer as most people do. All the wonderful fresh produce is ready for picking. Last Sunday afternoon I was not really in the mood for cooking‌. just relaxing. While trying to think of something light, I realized I had some fresh strawberries in the refrigerator.
That was all the inspiration I needed. So Strawberry Pecan Chicken Salad it was. While trying to decide which recipe I would put in the Farm and Ranch this moth I thought why not make the same salad and add a new twist. So a Red, White and Blue salad it is.
Red, White & Blue Salad • 5 Cups Baby Spinach • 3 Green Onion Tops, Chopped • 1 Granny Smith Apple, Sliced • 1 ½ cups Strawberries, Sliced • 1 Cup Blueberries • 1 Cup Toasted Almond Slivers or Pecans • ½ Cup Feta or Blue Cheese • 3 Grilled Chicken Breasts, Sliced
Strawberry Dressing • 1 Cup Fresh Strawberries, rinsed and stemmed • 1/3 Cup Olive Oil • Ÿ tsp. Salt • 1 Tbsp. Fresh Basil, Chopped • 2 Tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar • 2 Tbsp. Water • Pinch of Black Pepper • 3 packets of Stevia (single serving packets)
Combine all ingredients and toss. Top with Strawberry Dressing.
Place all ingredients in blender and pulse until pureed.
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Homegrown goodness: Visit the Farmers Market By Jo Anne Embleton jembleton@jacksonvilleprogress.com Summer approaches, and for fresh food lovers, that means just one thing: Farmers market finds. The season kicks off Monday, as the Farmers Market in Jacksonville opened Thursday, May 7 at Sadler’s Kitchen, 101 S. Bonner. These markets are sponsored by the Lone Star Military Farmers group, and feature a variety of goods from local farmers, said LSMF event coordinator Lois Hutson. This marks the third year the group has offered the event, which seems to be popular among both producers and buyers, Hutson said. “We’ve probably got about 6-10 farmers right now, and more always seem to come in throughout the season,” she said. Photos courtesy of the Lone Star Military Farmers
Occasional invaders during heavy rain By Wizzie Brown I’m loving the rain we’ve been getting in Central Texas, but it has been leading to some pest problems that people haven’t really had to deal with for awhile. I thought that I would touch on some of them. The first and foremost for me are millipedes. Yesterday afternoon when it was raining, I took the opportunity to head outside to look for millipedes for photos. I could not find a single one. While disappointed, I knew that I had seen some at home so I figured I could get my photo there. When I got home I was starving so I started making dinner. In the middle of cooking bacon (it was a breakfast for dinner night), I was looking around the kitchen and spotted a millipede walking across the ceiling. Instead of climbing on the counter to take a picture, I went outside and found plenty to photograph. After that, I proceeded to pick up about 30 millipedes in various areas of the house. Millipedes have long, worm-like
bodies with a single pair of antenna. Their body is cylindrical and usually brown in color. Millipedes have two pairs of legs per body segment and often curl into a spiral for protection
or when they die. They feed on decaying organic matter, though some are carnivorous. Pillbugs are the other big one that can venture inside when we have heavy rains. Sowbugs and pillbugs are crustaceans (related to crabs, crayfish and lobsters). They require moist environments and usually die quickly when they move indoors due to lack of moisture. Sowbugs
and pillbugs have oval shaped bodies, 7 pairs of legs and 2 pair of antennae (only one pair is easily visible). Sowbugs have two tail-like appendages that come off the tip of the abdomen. Pillbugs do not have a tail-like appendage and pillbugs can also roll up into a ball when disturbed (hence the name roly-poly). Another nuisance pest I should mention are amphipods, also known as scuds. Calls that I get on these critters are when they have already died inside the home. Living amphipods are yellowish-brown in color and live in moist areas like under mulch or groundcover. When we get heavy rain, they can move indoors where they die from lack of moisture. When the amphipods die, their body turns a reddish-pink color (these are also a crustacean and closely related to shrimp). You can find more on amphipods here. If you are having problems with these nuisance pests moving indoors, then you should focus on the outside of the structure to exclude
them. Once things dry out then it should go back to normal. • turn mulch often; adjust watering schedules • remove any debris laying near structures or areas you do not want pests • allow air to flow through crawl spaces by using the proper amount of ventilation • fix any leaking faucets, AC lines, water pipes, etc. • make sure gutters and drains carry water away from the structure • make sure doors and windows have a proper seal; replace weather stripping, thresh holds, etc. • apply sealant to any cracks & crev-
ices and to where pipes or wires penetrate the building If you are having a mass invasion of pillbugs outside and they are eating your plants (it doesn’t happen too often, but conditions are ripe for this right now), then you can try making traps. I still need to test out what specifically works, but I’m sure you can search for ideas. If you feel you need to treat for the pillbugs, make sure that you check the product label so you choose a product with pillbugs and sowbugs on the label. There are snail & slug baits that also can work on pillbugs and sowbugs, but not ALL snail & slug baits control them. You could also treat with a contact pesticide. Unfortunately, while those products could work, they should not be applied when it is raining or there is a chance of rain, so pesticides are currently out as an option. Wizzie Brown is an Extension Program Specialist at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Austin, Texas and can be reached via email at ebrown@ag.tamu.edu.
Master Gardeners plant mental seeds By Jo Anne Embleton jembleton@jacksonvilleprogress.com SMITH COUNTY – Founded as a way to share knowledge, the Master Gardeners Association has discovered a number of ways to educate folks at the local level about horticulture and agriculture. “The program originally started in Seattle, it was an education-based program (created when) extension agents were having to answer all these questions,” said Jean Smith, a member of the Smith County MGA. “So they came up with this idea and started training master gardeners to be able to help with those questions.” The program spread across the country, and ultimately across North America. In Texas, the Master Gardeners program is under the auspices of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. According to the Master Gardener website, in 1987, a statewide coordinator was hired to oversee the Texas Master Gardener program, with guidelines established at the same time,
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“including a minimum of 50 hours of formal training and 50 hours of volunteer service to become a certified Texas Master Gardener.” In Smith County, members maintain four demonstration gardens near the Rose Garden in Tyler, operate a help desk at the Smith County Extension office, have a speakers bureau with members ready to address clubs and organizations, and offers a free weekly garden lecture. “Our biggest education project is the exhibit in the Agriworld building at the East Texas State Fair, called ‘Our Secret Garden,’ ” Smith explained. “It encompasses timely gardening, emphasizes water conservation and use of native plants, talks about how to protect the pollinators – all good, timely, environmentally friendly displays that the general public can visit,” she said. More importantly, it’s a way to plant seeds in the minds of youngsters, a means of encouraging them to become more familiar with the earth and its bounty. “During the fair, school groups come through and get mini lessons at different booths – we’re talking about 1,500
to 2,000 kids coming through,” she said, adding that the lessons imparted are invaluable. “Today, a lot of children don’t know about horticulture or agriculture – they don’t know where their food comes from. We want to plant those seeds in their mind, and show them where their food comes from, or not to step on that spider because it’s helpful, or why it’s important to conserve water,” Smith said. The association also sponsors workshops and conferences, like one coming up that honors charter member Sue Adee, who died earlier this year. “Jewels in the Garden” begins 9 a.m. Saturday, June 6, at the Tyler Rose Garden Center, 420 Rose Park Dr. in Tyler. “The Smith County Master Gardeners started in 1994, and Sue was one of the original members,” Smith said, describing how when the first Master Gardeners talked about ideas of how to educate the public in a hands-on way, a demonstration garden came to mind. “They originally wanted to do a compost demonstration area, but then decided it might not be the most attractive idea, but then the other concept came up: Create and
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I.D.E.A. Garden – one that would innovate, demonstrate, educate and apply (knowledge),” she said. Over time, the garden grew from one to four – the original I.D.E.A. garden, along with a heritage garden, a shade garden and sunshine gardens. “We have trial plants, new varieties that come out, so we can see how they’ll do in East Texas, and people can come out to see what’s doing really well here,” Smith said. June 6 conference presenters include Nicholas Staddon, director of new plants for Monrovia, Tom LeRoy, a retired Montgomery County horticultural agent and Steve Huddleston, director of the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and a $35 fee includes lunch. The program will followed by a tour of the four gardens created and maintained by the Smith County Master Gardeners. Visit http://txmg.org/smith/jewels to learn more about the June 6 conference.
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
PUNCHING OUT CATFISH: Channel cat expert offers tips to help anglers reel in whiskered fish by Matt Williams Outdoors Writer
I
’ve picked the brains of dozens of fishermen over the years, but Chad Ferguson may be the most knowledgeable of all on the subject of catching channel catfish with punch bait. Ferguson is a Ft. Worth-based fishing guide who has written books on the subject and even designed specialty rigs, rods and other gear built around catfish the he sells on his website, catfishedge.com. His guide business specializes on putting clients on high quality catfishing experiences. Well known as great table fare, catching is the name of the game when it comes to channel cat. Ferguson spends a high percentage of his time on D/ FW area lakes Worth, Eagle Mountain, Ray Roberts, Lewisville and Grapevine, but the punch bait tactics he employs can be applied on any impoundment with an decent population of the prolific game fish. Punch bait is different from other popular catfish baits such as liver, shrimp, night crawlers and chicken hearts in that it is manufactured using a wide variety of recipes, usually founded on some sort of cheese base. Some anglers make their own, whereas others use punch baits manufactured by companies that cater largely to the catfish crowd. A common thread with punch baits is they all smell pretty bad, which naturally appeals to the channel cat’s keen sense of smell. Ferguson’s preferred bait is Uncle Josh Little Stinker Punch Bait. Like other punch baits, it comes in a plastic jar and is designed to be used with a treble hook. Baiting the hook with Little Stinker is no different than other punch style baits. Use a screwdriver, stick or wooden spoon to punch the hook into the mush at a downward angle, then yank it back out the same way it went in to “set” the bait around the trebles. Alas, the name “punch bait.” I recently asked the guide a series of questions about punch bait and asked him to share some tips on how anglers can use it catch more catfish: * What do you look for in a punch bait? “First and foremost is bait that has the right texture and consistency and can tolerate heat,” he said. “I primarily fish punch bait in the late spring and summer when targeting channel catfish. I do use some punch bait during other times of the year for blue catfish
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
targeting them around cormorant roosts but it’s not as extensive as late spring and summer when I focus primarily on channel catfish. “There’s a lot of great punch baits on the market that will catch fish but many of them have issues with texture and consistency or cannot tolerate the extreme summer heat. The texture and consistency importance is because of the process used to bait the hook as well as keeping the bait on the hook. If they’re not right then they are difficult to bait the hooks with and won’t stay on the hooks which means you’ll be spending a lot of time fighting with the bait and not catching fish. Because punch baits are cheese based they thin when they get hot. There’s many good baits that just turn into a soupy mess when they get hot which again means they won’t load on the hooks easily and won’t stay on the hooks when you cast. If you’re spending all your time messing with bait you’re not going to catch fish or least not catch as many.”
get bites and when they react it’s way too late and the fish is gone. My favorite rig is a slip cork rig using a two inch SlipStick cork from Comal Tackle. The floats is inexpensive and has a streamlined design which helps to reduce resistance, which will cause the fish to shy away. This is rigged with a bobber stop, a No. 6 4X strong treble hook and a small split shot sinker. Only use enough weight to make the float stand up in the water and no more. You want to keep the rig as light as possible and it doesn’t take much weight at all. “The 4X strong hook is really important, because strength. Many people try to pinch pennies and buy 2x hooks and they end up costing you more money (and
fish) in the long run because they’ll break constantly. Use plain treble hooks. Punch bait is made to stick to these hooks and trying to use sponges or dip tubes actually makes them more difficult to fish. I don’t use a swivel, leader or anything else when fishing punch bait with either rig it all goes directly on the line. I use Stren Catfish Monofilament. It’s bright orange and makes it easy to see where the lines are and is very rough so it holds up to the fish and the cover I typically fish around. Many people default to using braid for fishing punch baits but it does not work well with my rigs and fishing technique because braid floats. It’s just too difficult to manage and fish with.”
* What brand do you prefer? “I’m currently using Uncle Josh Catfish Punch Bait. I’ve used just about every bait there is over the years and have found that most of the punch baits will catch fish but the texture and consistency make the difference.” * Are there any specific times punch bait performs better than other types of bait? “Punch bait works all year long. I primarily focus on fishing for blue catfish from October through midMay and then turn my attention to channel catfish and flathead catfish in the summer months. Punch bait works well in the summer for targeting channel catfish and you can catch big numbers. It’s common for us to catch 100 fish or more in four hours during this time of year. There’s not a lot of size to them but for a huge load of one to two-pound channel catfish it cannot be beat. For channel catfish from mid-May through September there’s no better way to catch channel catfish than fishing with punch bait.” How to you rig up for punch bait -- hook, weight and line? “Channel catfish have tendency to bite very light at times or what I call “mealy mouthing” - it’s like they just sort of swim up a suck on the bait a little. I find many people are often getting bites and have no idea or they
Courtesy Photo
Chad Ferguson is an expert angler who specializes in catching catfish. During spring and summer is when puts his faith in punch bait when targeting channel cat.
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Any other tips anglers can use to help them catch fish I usually know within 3-5 minutes if the area I’m against that cover and experiment.” fishing is going to be productive. Move lots and move 7.) “Many people fishing punch bait start messing with more channel cat? it adding ingredients to try and thicken or thin it. If it’s 1.) “Get out of the mindset that you need to throw a big often if you’re not catching fish.” glob of bait out and wait for a catfish. Fishing for chan- 5.) “Get out of the mindset that you need to fish deep too thick warm it up if it’s too thin cool it off. Don’t add nel catfish and using punch bait is what I call finesse water for catfish. I spend 100 percent of my time from stuff to it because it rarely works out like you think it fishing and more like bass fishing than what cat fisher- May through September catching channel catfish in will.”and even big blues fishing with punch bait so you men are usually used to. Be active, cover a lot of water, less than five feet of water. They’re easier to catch in need to be prepared.” 3.) “People often fish punch bait and think they should shallow water also.” move fast and move often and you’ll catch more fish.” 2.) “The right fishing rod makes a huge difference. You 6.) “Don’t be afraid to fish cover. Channel catfish love a be able to bait the hook and cast multiple times. It need something light and sensitive enough to hold for variety of cover, everything from timber, rip rap, boat doesn’t work like that and you shouldn’t expect it. Bait the hook every single time extended periods of time but you cast and put a good wad with a good strong backbone of it on the hook.” so you can manhandle the 4.) “If you don’t catch a fish fish and get them out of covin 15 minutes, move. That’s er quickly when needed. It’s usually more than I’ll alnot uncommon to hook into low. When fishing for chanlarge channel catfish and nel catfish I usually know even big blues fishing with within 3-5 minutes if the punch bait so you need to be area I’m fishing is going to prepared.” be productive. Move lots 3.) “People often fish punch and move often if you’re not bait and think they should catching fish.” be able to bait the hook and 5.) “Get out of the mindset cast multiple times. It doesn’t that you need to fish deep work like that and you water for catfish. I spend shouldn’t expect it. Bait the 100 percent of my time from hook every single time you May through September cast and put a good wad of it Courtesy Photo catching channel catfish in on the hook.” Not only do channel cat make great table fare, but they are fairly easy to less than five feet of water. 4.) “If you don’t catch a fish in catch and daily limits are liberal. They’re easier to catch in 15 minutes, move. That’s usually more than I’ll allow. When fishing for channel cat- docks, lily pads and everything in between. Get tight shallow water also.”
Photo by Matt Williams
Commercial punch baits are available from a number of manufacturers. Danny King’s Punch Bait is a long-time favorite among East Texas crowds.
6.) “Don’t be afraid to fish cover. Channel catfish love a variety of cover, everything from timber, rip rap, boat docks, lily pads and everything in between. Get tight against that cover and experiment.” 7.) “Many people fishing punch bait start messing with it adding ingredients to try and thicken or thin it. If it’s too thick warm it up if it’s too thin cool it off. Don’t add stuff to it because it rarely works out like you think it will.” Matt Williams is a freelance writer based in Nacogdoches. He can be reached by e-mail, mattwillwrite4u@yahoo.com.
Outdoor Briefs by Matt Williams Outdoors Writer Fork guide cashes in at Kentucky Lake Lake Fork guide Tom Redington took his bass fishing prowess to the offshore ledges of Kentucky Lake earlier this month where he won the FLW Rayovac Series Central Division event. Redington, of Royce City, reeled in a whopping three-day total of 71 pounds, 13 ounces, including a monster bag of 27 1/2 pounds during the final round, to notch his first Triple A win by two-pound margin over TVA offshore expert, Randy Haynes. The win earned him $40,000 cash, plus a contin-
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gency bonus Ranger bass boat val- conditions became favorable to ued at around $50,000. trigger alligator gar into a spawnTPWD implements gar fish- ing mode. The Trinity maintains one of the last strongholds of the ing closure on Trinity prehistoric-looking fish in the On May 12, Texas Parks and Wild- South and TPWD is doing its part life Department Executive Direc- to protect them from potential tor Carter Smith exercised author- over harvest. ity to implement an emergency In 2009, the TPWD Commission order that temporarily prohibits created a special restrictive regulafishing for alligator gar on the tion on alligator gar, which were Trinity River between the State once considered nothing more Highway 31 bridge near Trinidad than a “trash fish.” The reg limits and the State Highway 7 bridge anglers to no more than one allinear Crockett. gator gar per person, per day, on The order will remain in effect for Texas waters. The only exception no more than 30 days and may be is Lake Falcon. Beginning Sept. 1, lifted before that date. the daily limit changes to five fish The order was put in place after per day on the Texas/Mexico borriver flow and water temperature der lake.
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T-Bend give up big ones Gil Legar of Lake Charles, La. won the overall top prize in Sealy Outdoors Big Bass Splash held May 15-17 on Toledo Bend, but not by much. Legar weighed in an 11.48 pounder, slightly heavier than a 11.45 pounder weighed by second place finisher, Andrew Lee of Alexandria, La. Legar won a new Triton 20TRX bass boat, a new Dodge truck and $7,000 cash. Third place went to Frank Little of Many, La., with a 10.37 pounder, 4th, Joe Daw of Conroe, 9.91; and 5th, Bobby Amacker of Cypress, 9.00.
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
Hi Ya’ll, Guess what month it is? If you said May you’re right and yes that means it’s time for my birthday again. I can’t believe I’ll be 6 on May 20th! If you say,”Happy Birthday, Kodi” real loud I might even be able to hear you. Just cause I’m mentioning that special day and all doesn’t mean I’m hinting for a present. My folks usually come up with some good ones and #1 on my list is always more chewies. I seem to go through those things pretty quickly. Mama says I’m a chewing machine, but only on things I’m supposed to chew on. I’ve never left any teeth marks on shoes, furniture, etc. in all my years here as head of security and cowdog extraordinaire. Guess that’s because I’m a lucky pup and have always had plenty of things to take care of my need to gnaw. And of course every once in a while there the occasional horse hoof and you know how I looove those things. Just a few days ago Sug got her hooves trimmed so there were 4 delicious tidbits for me to sneak off with and hide for further chewing. They sure taste good after they’ve been buried for a while. I hear tell wine gets better with age and so do horse hoof trimmings. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. One thing that hasn’t changed in 6 years is my OCLD. That’s obsessive compulsive licking disorder if you didn’t know. I just can’t hold my licker very well. And if anyone is near me that has just put on some hand lotion it draws me like a moth to a flame. The other day Daddy was on the floor of the garage fixing a tire on the generator and he was in a position where I could reach his head real easily. I cleaned it backwards and forwards and just couldn’t help myself. He got to laughing telling me to stop before I licked off his hair. My ol bud, Mr.P, used to love for
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
me to clean his ears when we were snuggled on the couch together. He would purr and purr and close his eyes. Course he had obsessive sleeping disorder so they were closed a lot anyway. Sometimes when there’s nothing for me to lick on I’ll just lick at the air. I guess everybody has some little quirk they need to work on. Do you have any? I know I’ve mentioned this before, but the CRAZY red birds are back! Mama put something over the bedroom windows for a while so they can’t see their reflection and start their daylong pecking routine as the sun comes up. But then one of the bird-brained morons has found the brass plate at the bottom of the front door and he fights with himself all day there. It sounds like someone is kind of knocking on the door , but guess who it is. Do any of you have this problem at your house? Course about the time the red birds get through with their spring ritual then Mama Mocking bird will build her next in the pecan tree out back and there will be danger, danger, danger for yours truly till her babies fly away. Man we’ve sure had lots of rain this spring. I was just wondering if any of you are bothered by thunder/lightening? I hate to admit it but it sure bothers me. If I’m outside, I look for something to get under like the truck and if I’m indoors then under my folks big bed is where you’ll find me. I know it’s up in the sky, but it makes me nervous. Thunder doesn’t seem to bother my folks, but when the sky starts to light up that get’s their attention and right now. If we’re on the golf course it’s
game over and if they’re outdoors then inside they go. Mama makes sure Sug can get under the barn during stormy weather, but my girls have to fend for themselves. They don’t seem to be too bothered by it all and usually go on with their grazing. I’ve heard my folks talk about the time they got caught in a bad storm while hiking in the mountains of New Mexico. Their dog Boots was around at that time, but if it had been me I would have been looking for a cave to get in and if there had been a bear in there well he’d just had to move over. One day recently the rain that came down was on the hard side and if you’d been out in it you would have gotten more than just wet. It sure was noisey too and before long the deck and yard looked like it had snowed. That kind of weather gets my folks attention since it usually comes with a storm. And it did for sure. There were limbs and trees not where they had been a few minutes before and my folks are still working on cleaning up what the wind managed to do in a few minutes. I haven’t mentioned ‘my girls’ lately. Their happily grazing all the green grass that this warm,wet spring has brought. All the spring calvers have their little ones and a few days ago Daddy got them penned so they could get their new earrings called tags. One of the mamas was just a little overly protective of her newbie that day. She tried to put Daddy on the fence several times when he got ahold of her baby.Since I know the language of Moo I asked ,”What are you so fussy about? You saw all the others get their new tags and they’re
ok, so chill out.” She didn’t appreciate my comments and indicated I should get out of that pen or risk injury to my pretty face. Once her baby was back with her all was okie dokie again. I know they’re supposed to be protective and all but they know us so I don’t see what gets them so riled. This sure has been a busy month around here. We’ve been on the go quite a bit with several cattle outings. Things are winding down on that end though since it’ll get hot soon and being shuffeled around is stressful enough on cattle without adding heat to the equation. Kind of hard on us little cowdogs too. Course I love going to these events/sales since I get to see old friends and make new ones. But it seems that the pesky puppy I mentioned before was at another sale and of course all he wanted to do was play. Mama took him with us on a walk one time and I did finally run around some with him. But I let him know not to expect that too often. He’s still in his clumsy stage and couldn’t begin to keep up with me and from the size of his paws I’d better enjoy that cause I have a feeling he’ll be three times my size the next time I see him. Hopefully he’ll have matured some by then as well, but I wouldn’t bet on it. Guess I’d better go for now. It’s getting late in the day and time for some toy chasing when Mama throws it for me. Now that the temps have gotten warmer it doesn’t take too many of those runs to tire me out and have me ready for some down time on the couch under the ceiling fan. Sometimes it’s good to be me. I’ll be six by the time I write again so I hope I don’t start finding too many gray hairs and need help getting around. Where did the years go?
Later, Kodi
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YOUTH, continued from page 7
by possibly MORE goat talk and the general membership meeting, we’re flexible! For more information e-mail Gwen VanderMartin at dewgoats@gmail.com. A map to the ETGRA Home Place can be found at http://etgra.com/etgra/scan0001. jpg or directions at https:// www.facebook.com/notes/easttexas-goat-raisers-association/ directions-to-the-etgra-homeplace/925554017488657 and signs will be placed on the road to find our home place. Ya’ll come on out and talk goats with Doc Frank and enjoy good fellowship and food with your fellow Goat Folks! The East Texas Goat Raisers Association Youth invites all youth participants and their loved ones to their Youth market and commercial doe show on July 18th in Fairfield Texas at the Ike Carden Arena. Entries on the day of the show are $20. Showmanship is $5 entry with 1/2 cash payout for first place. There will be prizes for second and third. All ETGRA Youth members get an additional $3 off entries. Kelly Edwards Clark is the judge. Market goat classes will be broken down into weight classes. Doe
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classes will be broken down into Juniorbaby teeth, Yearling 1 year teeth, Senior 2 year teeth and older. Showmanship will be done between the market goats and does. 1/2 cash payout for First, prizes for second. For more information contact Valre Leger, phone: 409-273-4243 or e-
at this link: https://www.facebook.com/ notes/east-texas-goat-raisers-association/ directions-to-the-ike-carden-arena-infairfield-texas/925551130822279. That’s all I’ve got for now. The wonderful rains continue and we hope they continue to do so, I just hope we start to get some
mail: izzydum1@yahoo.com. Directions to the Ike Carden Arena can be found
dry days in between “rain events”. We’re making preparations for both the birthing
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of kids AND breeding Does for Fall kids. Trimming hooves and worming as needed. We plan on checking the Does with FAMACHA checks more frequently due to the wet weather and the hatching of more Haemonchus Contortus (barber pole) worm larva. If you can, get a stool sample and have that fresh poo checked by the Vet’s office for other types of worm eggs. With all of the wet it’s possible for other stomach parasites to increase. Please continue to buy papers or magazines and support their advertisers by shopping for your wares at their stores. Thank ya’ll for your continued support. If your hear tell of any training stuff or any other events then let me know so I can spread the word. I love to post events benefiting goat breeders associations and youth programs so keep those e-cards and e-letters coming in. Please support your favorite local, area, or national goat breeders associations AND the 4-H and FFA. Call me at 903-388-8528 or email clwyer@gmail.com if you have any goat gossip. Fred VanderMartin is the purveyor of fine goat gossip and is based at Rancho Volsa Basias in Buffalo, Texas.
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UPCOMING EVENTS longview:
• June 11-14: The Annual Summer Boat Show will be held at Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex. Admission is free. For further information, please contact Jeff Gage at 903-753-3515 or email planoboatdude@aol.com. Maude Cobb Activity Center 100 Grand Blvd Longview, TX 75604
Canton:
• June 12: Canton Stampede PRCA Rodeo, 8:00 PM
Athens:
• June 13: Bird and Nature Walk - 9:00 am. ~ Price: $5.50 Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center ~ 5550 FM 2495 Athens, TX
Family Owned and Operated Since 1956
nacogdoches:
• June 13: TEXAS BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL; Presented by Brookshire Brothers. (936) 560-5533. More information at www.TexasBlueberryFestival.com.
paris:
• June 13: CLASSIC CAR SHOW & ARTS/CRAFTS; More information at http://www.rrvhonkers.com. Contact S. Carroll: (903) 739-9763 or kscarrol@att.net.
jacksonville:
• June 13: TOMATO FEST Free admission. In its 31st year! Contact Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce: (903) 586-2217 or www.jacksonvilletexas.com. • July 2-5: 2nd Annual Boots in Tha Mudd ~ www.riverrunpark.com
TYLER:
• June 20: Car Show/Motorcycle Show/Swap Meet 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. ~ Entry FREE to the public. 10707 Hwy 69 north Tyler 75706 Hwy 69 between Tyler and Lindale. More information at http://www.pickersmarkettyler.com.
Palestine:
Â&#x2021; $872 Â&#x2021; +20( Â&#x2021; 02725&<&/(6 Â&#x2021; %2$76 59¡6 Â&#x2021; &200(5&,$/ We work for you. Call or stop in today and let us help you! 3FQVCMJD %S t 5ZMFS 59
903.581.8191
June 21: Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day BBQ Lunch Train @ Texas State Railroad 11:00 AMÂ -Â 2:00 PM ~ More information: 877.726.7245 visitorcenter@palestine-tx.org or http://www.texasstaterr.com
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FARM & RANCH Bronze sculpture dedicated to Sue Adee CLASSIFIEDS
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By Robert Burns
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May-June 2015
and mentored every class of incoming Master Gardeners as they worked in the IDEA garden,” Smith said. “She held the position of garden coordinator for 17 years until she was too ill to continue in that role.” On June 6, the Smith County Master Gardener Association is hosting a one-day conference, Jewels in the Garden, Smith said. “The conference is open to the public and is in honor of Sue Adee. She was a true jewel in the Smith County Master Gardener Association.” The Smith County Master Gardener program is administered by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
TYLER — The Smith County Master Gardener Association will hold a dedication ceremony at 1 p.m. June 4 to unveil a bronze sculpture named “A Woman’s Touch,” dedicated to the memory of Master Gardener Sue Adee. The ceremony will be held at the IDEA Garden, located in the southeast corner of the Tyler Rose Garden, 420 Rose Park Drive, Tyler. Adee, who died earlier this year, was a long-time Master Gardener, according to Jean Smith, Smith County Master Gardener. The sculpture is a gift to the IDEA garden from John Adee, Sue Adee’s husband. “Sue was a member of the original Master Gardening class in Smith County in 1994,” Smith said. “She was the first president of the Smith County Master Gardener Association and served in that position for two terms. Sue was instrumental in creating the ‘Squirmy Worm Recycles’ program and in establishing the IDEA Garden in the Tyler Rose Garden.” The IDEA garden is a multi-functional demonstration garden that the Master Gardeners oversee and maintain, Smith said. It was awarded the Search for Excellence Award at the International Master Gardener Conference in 1999. Courtesy Photo “Sue volunteered The bronze sculpture, named “A Woman’s Touch,” is dedicated to the memomore than 4,000 ry of Sue Adee, long-time Smith County Master Gardener, according to Keith hours to the Master Hansen, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulture agent for Smith Gardener program County. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)
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