Disaster assistance available for Walker County producers

Please refer to the newsbrief to the right for additional information regarding disaster assistance that is available through the USDA Farm Service Agency. This assistance is available for damage related to the storms that came through Walker County in April 2011. Please double click on the newsbrief to enlarge it.

Dealing with pasture weeds?

Dr. Stephen Enloe from Auburn University will be in Walker County on May 19, 2011, to discuss pasture weed control, herbicide application, when to spray & what to spray. Please double click on the brochure to the right for additional information.

Walker County Student wins the 2011 Area III ACDEA scholarship

2011 Alabama Conservation District Employees Association Scholarship Program Award

The Alabama Conservation District Employees Association accepted applications for six $500 scholarships to be awarded to students who are residents of the State of Alabama and planning to enter college the summer or fall of the year 2011. One scholarship will be awarded in each of the Association’s six designated Areas. This scholarship can be used at the college of his/her choice.

The Walker County Soil and Water Conservation District received 15 applications for this scholarship award program. We are pleased to announce that Miss Sarah Whitt who is a 2011 graduate of Carbon Hill High School won the $500.00 award for Area III. Sarah competed against students from 10 other counties in Area III to win this award. Congratulations to Sarah for winning this scholarship.

Walker County grazing clinic

A grazing clinic will be held in Walker County at the Carl Elliott Board of Education Building on April 28, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. with registration check in at 8:00 a.m. The registration fee for attending this clinic will be $30.00 and must be paid by April 15, 2011. Included in the registration fee will be a copy of Southern Forages, a forage measuring stick, additional educational materials as well as lunch. You can click on the registration brochures above for additional information. Please call the NRCS Jasper Field Office or The Walker County Soil and Water Conservation District at (205) 387-1879 for registration or questions.

2011 Arbor Day Program

In recognition of Arbor Week the Alabama Forestry Commission in partnership with the Walker County Forestry Planning Committee and the Walker County Soil and Water Conservation District provided tree seedlings to each 2nd grade student in Walker County on Thursday, February 24th.

Planting trees is a great way to improve our communities by providing cleaner air, shade to homes (reduces energy cost), reduces soil erosion and is aesthetically pleasing to the homeowner and the public. According to the Arbor Day Foundation properly placed trees can increase property values from 7%-21%.

We hope that families across the county will take part in this celebration and share the joy of planting trees.

Walker County Forestry Planning Committee Annual Tree Sale

The Walker County Forestry Planning Committee will hold it's annual tree sale event at the Jasper Wal-Mart Garden Center on Friday, March 18, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 19, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. All trees will be containerized or bare root seedlings and will be available on a first come first serve basis. Cost will be between $1.00 and $2.00 per tree. Please call 387-1879 for an itemized list. Proceeds go to promote conservation education in Walker County.

Winston County private applicator pesticide permit training

A training session will be provided for those needing to renew their pesticide permit or for those who are interested in getting their first pesticide permit. This program will be held on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. at the First National Bank Building in Double Springs. During this session participants will be given training for free; however, for those who choose to take the test there is a $25.00 charge for the three-year permit. There is also the option to use a take home self-study packet at any time of year. Most people find it more convenient to attend this class. To determine when your permit expires, check the first four digits on your card. For example, if the code is 0313, this would mean that the permit expires in March 2013.

Most farmers in Winston County get this permit so that they can buy Grazon (2,4-D + picloram) for pasture weed control. This herbicide does an excellent job on dogfennel (summer cedar). This permit will allow farmers to buy any restricted use pesticide.

Please contact the Winston County Extension office at 205 489-5376 with any questions.