September has been filled with meetings and program planning. The agriculture agents had a PDC planning meeting at the beginning of September. Nine people attended the meeting, and we received a lot of valuable feedback on potential programs to hold. It was especially helpful in narrowing down programming ideas, along with getting suggestions of when to hold programs and who to invite to speak at these programs. For the coming year
I will be working on planning pond management and prescribed burning workshops. A few of the other ideas for programs and workshops that I, and the other agents, will possibly be working on in the future are related to land leasing, beekeeping, deer processing, water quality, predator control, and small ruminant management.
With fall comes the start of hunting season, dove season started the beginning of this month and people have also started preparing to plant winter food plots for deer. If you are considering planting a winter food plot, knowing the nutrient levels of the soil before planting will help you determine if you need to add fertilizer to the soil or not. To have soil tested, you can bring a soil sample into the extension office to be sent off for testing.
Testing the soil will determine the nutritional value and pH level of the soil, and the type and amount of fertilizer to use if the nutrient levels of the soil are not ideal for the type of food plot you are planning on planting. When taking a soil sample, collect small samples, randomly, from different areas in the food plot. Each sample should be taken from a depth of four to six inches. After you have taken a soil sample from a few areas within the food plot, mix the samples together and bring a cup of the mixed sample to the extension office to be sent in and tested.
Soil sampling is just one way the extension office and agents can provide people with information to help them make informed decsions. If you are interested in learning more about food plots we are planning to host a Deer Hunting and Food Plot workshop the beginning of December.
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BEAVERS
DOVE HUNTING
RATS