Hello Homesteader, May 3, 2010
Have you been busy on your homestead? Spring has definitely sprung and
our gardens, although behind will likely shift into overdrive as the
weather goes back to normal. I hope in your spare time you have been
busy working and re-working your homestead plan as at the class
scheduled for June 5th; I will be asking for “homework” assignments.
If you have lost, misplaced, or need further assistance in getting your
homestead plan together please let me know. I will be glad to work with
you to get this milestone accomplished.
The next class is the Forestry Workshop that will be provided by Jason
Ellis, director of the Texas Forestry Service at his location in
Jacksonville on Loop 456. Please call the office and let me know if you
are going to be able to attend - as I do not want to leave anyone out.
In addition, please mark your calendars for the next Homesteader classes
and learning opportunities:
● May 8 Small Forestry Workshop - Texas Forestry Service-
Jacksonville
● May 15 Small Farm Solutions - Entertainment Farms - Goats,
Gardens, & Poultry Douglass - Tour
● May 22 Prairie View A&M Goat and Small Farm Field Day - Prairie
View,TX (OPTIONAL)
● June 5 Review and Paperwork, Extension Office, Rusk
● June 8 AgriLife Extension Fair - Extension Office, Rusk 1-6pm
As always, please bring something to take notes on and with and you are
welcome to bring camera’s to take pictures and “steal” helpful
hits for your homestead. In addition, I will like to start a PLANT
SWAP. For all those who have a special cutting or seeds that you would
like to share with the group, bring one to get one. Also if you have
recipes utilizing homegrown ingredients, like goat cheese, best dip or
great stir-fry bring those for a recipe swap as well. If you require
special services, please let me know prior to the meeting and I will
make the necessary accommodations. If you need more information or will
not be able to attend as previously scheduled, contact Rene’ McCracken
at 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu. I have also set up a
blogsite http://myowngroceries.blogspot.com where you can find all the
handouts, presentations, resources, and news about the class.
Educational programs of Cooperative Extension Program are open to all
people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or
national origin.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Homestead Workshop Building Raised Beds
Hello Homesteader, April 15, 2010
What a great meeting it was Saturday! I thoroughly enjoyed working along side everyone and getting the raised beds constructed for the Good Samaritan and Rusk Community. As usual with volunteers and agriculture projects, everything does not often go according to plan. However, in the end the biggest concern from those who have spoken with me is that this garden is going to grow such wonderful produce that we will have to put in a security system to keep people from stealing the goods! The goal of this project was for you to learn how to incorporate such a project into your own farm or community. If you were like me and spent too much time in the sun, I hope that you are recovering for the long day of work and are busy on your own homestead while the weather is cooperating.
The next class is the much-anticipated tour of the Walker’s Straw House and Gardens just south of Rusk off of HWY 69. We will meet at the Good Samaritan (corner of 2nd street and hwy 23) at 9:30 am Saturday, April 17 and carpool to the Walker’s Home. Please call the office and let me know if you are going to be able to attend – as I do not want to leave anyone. In addition, please mark your calendars for the next Homesteader classes and learning opportunities:
• April 24 ETGRA Goat Workshop-Jacksonville, Also Master Gardner Plant Sale
• May 8 Small Forestry Workshop – Texas Forestry Service- Jacksonville
• May 15 Small Farm Solutions – Entertainment Farms – Goats, Gardens, & Poultry Douglass - Tour
• May 22 Prairie View A&M Goat and Small Farm Field Day – Prairie View,TX
• June 5 Review and Paperwork, Extension Office, Rusk
• June 8 AgriLife Extension Fair – Extension Office, Rusk 1-6pm
As always, please bring something to take notes on and with and you are welcome to bring camera’s to take pictures and “steal” helpful hits for your homestead. We do not plan to be doing any work but simply a tour of Mr. Walker’s “Hippie Paradise”. The weather is forecasted to be beautiful and sunny with a slight chance of rain, but you still need to come dressed to do a little walking in the “woods”. If you require special services, please let me know prior to the meeting and I will make the necessary accommodations. If you need more information or will not be able to attend as previously scheduled, contact Rene’ McCracken at 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu. I have also set up a blogsite http://myowngroceries.blogspot.com where you can find all the handouts, presentations, resources, and news about the class. Don’t miss this opportunity to show off your best farm gadget or invention! Educational programs of Cooperative Extension Program are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.
Thank you,
Rene’ McCracken
What a great meeting it was Saturday! I thoroughly enjoyed working along side everyone and getting the raised beds constructed for the Good Samaritan and Rusk Community. As usual with volunteers and agriculture projects, everything does not often go according to plan. However, in the end the biggest concern from those who have spoken with me is that this garden is going to grow such wonderful produce that we will have to put in a security system to keep people from stealing the goods! The goal of this project was for you to learn how to incorporate such a project into your own farm or community. If you were like me and spent too much time in the sun, I hope that you are recovering for the long day of work and are busy on your own homestead while the weather is cooperating.
The next class is the much-anticipated tour of the Walker’s Straw House and Gardens just south of Rusk off of HWY 69. We will meet at the Good Samaritan (corner of 2nd street and hwy 23) at 9:30 am Saturday, April 17 and carpool to the Walker’s Home. Please call the office and let me know if you are going to be able to attend – as I do not want to leave anyone. In addition, please mark your calendars for the next Homesteader classes and learning opportunities:
• April 24 ETGRA Goat Workshop-Jacksonville, Also Master Gardner Plant Sale
• May 8 Small Forestry Workshop – Texas Forestry Service- Jacksonville
• May 15 Small Farm Solutions – Entertainment Farms – Goats, Gardens, & Poultry Douglass - Tour
• May 22 Prairie View A&M Goat and Small Farm Field Day – Prairie View,TX
• June 5 Review and Paperwork, Extension Office, Rusk
• June 8 AgriLife Extension Fair – Extension Office, Rusk 1-6pm
As always, please bring something to take notes on and with and you are welcome to bring camera’s to take pictures and “steal” helpful hits for your homestead. We do not plan to be doing any work but simply a tour of Mr. Walker’s “Hippie Paradise”. The weather is forecasted to be beautiful and sunny with a slight chance of rain, but you still need to come dressed to do a little walking in the “woods”. If you require special services, please let me know prior to the meeting and I will make the necessary accommodations. If you need more information or will not be able to attend as previously scheduled, contact Rene’ McCracken at 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu. I have also set up a blogsite http://myowngroceries.blogspot.com where you can find all the handouts, presentations, resources, and news about the class. Don’t miss this opportunity to show off your best farm gadget or invention! Educational programs of Cooperative Extension Program are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.
Thank you,
Rene’ McCracken
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Homestead Workshop #3, Good Samaritan - Rusk
Hello Homesteader, April 7, 2010
I hope that you have been busy in your garden while this weather has been so good to us! What a great meeting it was this last time at the Forestry Service. Agent, Crispin Skinner, was excellent to provide the tips needed to get our tools ready to work. Also, I am still getting complements on the great tiller and tractor that Sidney and Mr. Montgomery brought to the meeting.
The next class will meet at the Good Samaritan on 203 W. 2nd street, just off of Main street in Rusk. Please bring tools to help construct raised beds. Items neded are wheel barrows, shovels, rakes, drill, tiller, and a tractor would be nice and save time and our backs. We will be constructing two raised beds similar to what we saw at the Master Gardner’s Demonstration Garden in Jacksonville last meeting. I will be working to get soil, fertilizer, filler materials, and lumber delivered and on site by Friday. If you would like to help with the set up, please let me know. If you have some of the items needed or would like to provide them, contact me, as I would welcome the assistance. Additionally, if there is a host or hostess in the group that would like to provide snacks for the group, call me.
The weather is forecasted to be beautiful and sunny, but you still need to come dressed to do a little working and planting. Restroom facilities and refreshments will be provided. The class will begin at 10 a.m.
Our next meeting after this one is a tour of Mr. Walker’s (Hippie Guy) Straw Bale Home and Garden in the Woods on Saturday, April 17, 2010. It is located just past Rusk off of Hwy 69. These workshop series classes are currently full, however we have begun a “waiting list” for the next class series. When we have meetings that allow for larger groups to participate, I will include a note to those on the waiting list and you may invite friends as well. This workshop is open to those who would like to drop in for this session. If you require special services, please let me know prior to the meeting and I will make the necessary accommodations. If you need more information or will not be able to attend as previously scheduled, contact Rene’ McCracken at 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu. I have also set up a blogsite http://myowngroceries.blogspot.com/ where you can find all the handouts, presentations, resources, and news about the class. Don’t miss this opportunity to show off your best farm gadget or invention! Educational programs of Cooperative Extension Program are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.
Thank you,
Rene’ McCracken
I hope that you have been busy in your garden while this weather has been so good to us! What a great meeting it was this last time at the Forestry Service. Agent, Crispin Skinner, was excellent to provide the tips needed to get our tools ready to work. Also, I am still getting complements on the great tiller and tractor that Sidney and Mr. Montgomery brought to the meeting.
The next class will meet at the Good Samaritan on 203 W. 2nd street, just off of Main street in Rusk. Please bring tools to help construct raised beds. Items neded are wheel barrows, shovels, rakes, drill, tiller, and a tractor would be nice and save time and our backs. We will be constructing two raised beds similar to what we saw at the Master Gardner’s Demonstration Garden in Jacksonville last meeting. I will be working to get soil, fertilizer, filler materials, and lumber delivered and on site by Friday. If you would like to help with the set up, please let me know. If you have some of the items needed or would like to provide them, contact me, as I would welcome the assistance. Additionally, if there is a host or hostess in the group that would like to provide snacks for the group, call me.
The weather is forecasted to be beautiful and sunny, but you still need to come dressed to do a little working and planting. Restroom facilities and refreshments will be provided. The class will begin at 10 a.m.
Our next meeting after this one is a tour of Mr. Walker’s (Hippie Guy) Straw Bale Home and Garden in the Woods on Saturday, April 17, 2010. It is located just past Rusk off of Hwy 69. These workshop series classes are currently full, however we have begun a “waiting list” for the next class series. When we have meetings that allow for larger groups to participate, I will include a note to those on the waiting list and you may invite friends as well. This workshop is open to those who would like to drop in for this session. If you require special services, please let me know prior to the meeting and I will make the necessary accommodations. If you need more information or will not be able to attend as previously scheduled, contact Rene’ McCracken at 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu. I have also set up a blogsite http://myowngroceries.blogspot.com/ where you can find all the handouts, presentations, resources, and news about the class. Don’t miss this opportunity to show off your best farm gadget or invention! Educational programs of Cooperative Extension Program are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.
Thank you,
Rene’ McCracken
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Homestead Workshop #2, March 13, Jacksonville
Hello Homesteader, March 9, 2010
We are off and running! What a great meeting it was Saturday. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each and every one of you and I can’t wait to see the project that this group puts together. The next class will meet at the Texas Forestry Service Building on Loop 456 in Jacksonville, on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 10 am. There is a demonstration garden designed by the Cherokee County Master Gardners that should help provide some tips on layout and design of your own garden beds. However, the primary topic at this class will be “Tools of the Trade”, we will be discussing tractor and tiller selection and maintenance, gardening gadgets and best home engineered tools. If you have a favorite tractor, tiller, implement, or homemade gadget that just makes the work a lot easier on your homestead then bring it or a picture of it for discussion Saturday. Additionally, there is an arboretum of historic and commercial trees that we will be viewing at a later date when we discuss forestry production for small farms.
Please bring something to take notes on and with and you are welcome to bring camera’s to take pictures and “steal” helpful hits for your homestead. I have invited, Cooperative Extension Agent, Crispin Skinner from Nacogdoches County that will be able to help diagnose some of your farm equipment problems. This will not be a mechanic session per say, but you might receive the answer to a problem that has you stumped your or at least referral to someone who can help you. The weather is forecasted to be beautiful and sunny, but you still need to come dressed to do a little walking in the “woods”. Restroom facilities and refreshments will be provided. The class will begin at 10 a.m. and end by noon.
This workshop series classes are currently full, however we have begun a “waiting list” for the next class series. When we have meetings that allow for larger groups to participate, I will include a note to those on the waiting list and you may invite friends as well. This workshop is open to those who would like to drop in for this session. If you require special services, please let me know prior to the meeting and I will make the necessary accommodations. If you need more information or will not be able to attend as previously scheduled, contact Rene’ McCracken at 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu. I have also set up a blogsite http://myowngroceries.blogspot.com where you can find all the handouts, presentations, resources, and news about the class. Don’t miss this opportunity to show off your best farm gadget or invention! Educational programs of Cooperative Extension Program are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.
Thank you,
Rene’ McCracken
We are off and running! What a great meeting it was Saturday. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each and every one of you and I can’t wait to see the project that this group puts together. The next class will meet at the Texas Forestry Service Building on Loop 456 in Jacksonville, on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 10 am. There is a demonstration garden designed by the Cherokee County Master Gardners that should help provide some tips on layout and design of your own garden beds. However, the primary topic at this class will be “Tools of the Trade”, we will be discussing tractor and tiller selection and maintenance, gardening gadgets and best home engineered tools. If you have a favorite tractor, tiller, implement, or homemade gadget that just makes the work a lot easier on your homestead then bring it or a picture of it for discussion Saturday. Additionally, there is an arboretum of historic and commercial trees that we will be viewing at a later date when we discuss forestry production for small farms.
Please bring something to take notes on and with and you are welcome to bring camera’s to take pictures and “steal” helpful hits for your homestead. I have invited, Cooperative Extension Agent, Crispin Skinner from Nacogdoches County that will be able to help diagnose some of your farm equipment problems. This will not be a mechanic session per say, but you might receive the answer to a problem that has you stumped your or at least referral to someone who can help you. The weather is forecasted to be beautiful and sunny, but you still need to come dressed to do a little walking in the “woods”. Restroom facilities and refreshments will be provided. The class will begin at 10 a.m. and end by noon.
This workshop series classes are currently full, however we have begun a “waiting list” for the next class series. When we have meetings that allow for larger groups to participate, I will include a note to those on the waiting list and you may invite friends as well. This workshop is open to those who would like to drop in for this session. If you require special services, please let me know prior to the meeting and I will make the necessary accommodations. If you need more information or will not be able to attend as previously scheduled, contact Rene’ McCracken at 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu. I have also set up a blogsite http://myowngroceries.blogspot.com where you can find all the handouts, presentations, resources, and news about the class. Don’t miss this opportunity to show off your best farm gadget or invention! Educational programs of Cooperative Extension Program are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.
Thank you,
Rene’ McCracken
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Building Your Backyard Homestead
It is no secret that our rural Cherokee County is quickly becoming one of the premier “bedroom communities” for cities like Houston and Dallas. In fact, due to the housing bubble burst, several communities in the East Texas Region have become surrounded by small tracts of land (5 to 25 acres) owned by individuals that are retired or have careers outside of production agriculture.
Some of these new neighbors have managed to find the best kept secret in Texas (The County Extension Office) and have made their property a “homestead” thanks to information and education provided through extension. However, still others along with “native” small acreage landowners desire to develop small-scale agricultural enterprises or utilize the land for recreational purposes and have little understanding on how to go about it. Most have become interested in sustainable agriculture. As it is defined as agriculture that integrates three main goals: environmental stewardship, farm profitability, and prosperous farming communities.
Whether starting-off with an acre or two or just an apartment with a small patio, there’s something you can do to provide some of your own groceries and make your land the homestead you’ve dreamt of. But, before your pile the kids into the minivan in search of dairy goats, peach trees, and heirloom vegetables take some time to consider what you are about to do.
If you have become interested in the "sustainable agriculture" facet of agriculture as a marketing niche, want to create a more prosperous farm that could be passed on to your family, or are just looking for the perfect retirement adventure, contact the Cherokee County Extension Office. The Cooperative Extension Program, Prairie View A&M and Cherokee County Small Farms Agent, Rene’ McCracken are excited to lead the effort in “Bringing Back the Homestead” to area communities. The Homestead Workshop is set to begin this March, and is limited to 25 participants. This will be a series of workshops covering topics including: Laws and regulations for the farm, taxes and insurance, garden planning and design, introduction to tractor maintenance and welding, livestock care and handling, and various others. All topics will provide the best management practices to produce agriculture products (profitably) on small acreages in East Texas. Some of the topics have been left open, and will be decided by the participants as needed. If you would be interested in learning more about this program, serving as an example “homestead”, sponsoring, or attending classes, contact Rene’ McCracken at 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu. The workshop series kick-off is scheduled for Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the Cherokee County Extension Office in Rusk on 165 E. Sixth Street at 10 am.
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