Farm & Ranch Living November 2015

Growing beautiful garden mums

By JENNIFER SHERIDAN reporter@palestineherald.com

I

t’s the season for harvesting chrysanthemums, better known to most people as mums. This flower is seen not only in home gardens, but also adorned on students during the homecoming season with ribbons attached.

The flower grows naturally in the Texas climate, according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Buds produce flowers for home landscapes in late summer and fall colors. Garden mums require a minimal amount of care and can continue to thrive under adverse conditions. Buds bloom early enough in the year to avoid any heavy frost. However, variations may occur from one season or area depending on the weather and previous cultural atmosphere.

According to the extension office, mums are planted in the spring and established from cuttings. Previously, the plants were offered as clumps normally in the fall. Now, plants are sold with annual flowers and vegetables.

Plants are mostly sold in pots and need to be removed before planting. Each plant has had at least one pinch, which results in a well-branched plant.

When planting, sites should be well-drained and have plenty of sunlight, stated the extension office. Spacing should be about 18 to 24 inches apart or 30 to 36 inches for more vigorous growers.

Space is important to allow the plant to develop to their fullness.

Mums should be planted at the

same depth as they were in their growing containers and no deeper for best results. After repositioning, plants should be thoroughly watered.

Help plants to develop good, green foliage with optimal flowering by using fertilizer, the extension office says.

“Apply a complete dry fertilizer, such as a 6-2-4 or 4-2-3 analysis, at the rate of two to three pounds per 100 square feet of bed area,” the extension office states. “The dry fertilizer should be watered after it is applied. Soluble fertilizers, such as a 20-20-20 analysis, are also quite satisfactory to use if desired.

Follow the rate of application on the label.”

Discontinue fertilizing after flower buds form in late July.

Plants should be pinched as they grow to produce compact plants with more flowers, the extension office recommends. Plants will become “tall and leggy” if the process is not completed. Another issue to watch for during growth is the height of the plant. Taller plants will keep light from reaching the lower part of the plant resulting in dead leaves.

“When the plants are three to four inches tall, remove the new shoots by pinching them off between the thumb and forefinger,” according to the growth tips from the extension office. “Leave two or three leaves on the shoot. This practice can be timed so that the fertilizing and pinching can be done the same day. Pinching will usually be once a month from May through July. However, with most

garden cultivars, the last pinch should be made no later than Aug. 15. If pinching continues after this date, flower buds will be eliminated from the plants.”

Materials used in mulch can reduce weed growth while growing chrysanthemums, the extension office suggests. Shredded hardwood or cedar mulch will help in conserving moisture in the soil if applied about two inches deep. Products such as pine bark that breaks down rapidly require an addition application of fertilizer to make up for lost nitrogen.

Pre-emergent herbicides such can also be effective if applied in early spring before weed seeds germinate. Landscape fabrics and decorative gravel are also effective in weed control.

An important growth tip with garden mums is applying adequate amounts of water, the ex-

tension office says. Plants should be watered when the soil starts to dry. Apply enough water to soak the soak to four or six inches in depth. The extension office suggests using sprinklers instead of hand watering and completing the task during the day so foliage can dry before nightfall. If not, leaf and flower diseases can become a problem for the plant.

“Fortunately for garden chrysanthemum growers, most insect and disease problems are controllable,” the extension office says. “The most common insect pests are aphids and two spotted mites. Powdery mildew can also be a problem due to weather conditions or poor air circulation between the plants. Control by spraying or dusting with labeled products. One disease that cannot be controlled with chemicals is verticillium wilt. Avoid planting

in verticillium-contaminated areas for several years.”

Homeowners should consider the garden mum an annual flower, the extension office explains.

When frost kills the tops of the plants, cut off the dead stems and remove them from the garden allowing the mums to prepare for growth in the following spring season. Keeping the plants over the winter means cutting off the dead tops and covering the plants with the mulch of around three to four inches deep.

For more information about growing garden chrysanthemums, contact Truman Lamb with the Anderson County Extension office at 903-723-3735. Cover photo taken at the Palestine Garden Center at 1919 Crockett Road. Contact owner Larry Brown at 903-7235200 for information regarding chrysanthemum purchase.

2

October-November 2015

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East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

Building for the future at Cross Roads

By Rich Flowers Athens Review News Editor

L

ike the landscape around Cross Roads High School, the Agriculture program is showing signs of growth.

Even as work is being done on the new gym and student activity center is underway, the new Ag facilities are being put to good use. “We moved into the new buildings at the end of September and early October of 2014,� Zach Tappan said. “That was quite a job in itself, to get everything moved over here.�

Tappan said about the time he got hired, he started watching the new Ag facilities going up. “It worked out quite nicely.�

A key to a successful FFA program is having great support from the administration and parents Tappan said. “The administration is supportive with anything we need,� Tappan said. “You could never want for better. They’re here for the kids to help the teachers and kids be successful. Not everyone has that luxury.�

Tappan said the school district gave the Ag department the money needed to refurbish and restock. “They gave us the opportunity to rig things out right also,� Tappan said.

Tappan is in his second year as the Ag instructor at Cross Roads after a few in Eustace. Like the department’s other Ag teacher Garrett Miller, who’s now in his third year, Tappan went to school at Cross Roads. With those connections, they have a lot of pride in the school and the Ag program there. Tappan said he feels fortunate to have someone like Miller to work with.

A few shop students building a manure spreader for competition are at work as Tappan speaks. They are basically the same ones who scored well with a gooseneck trailer last year.

Tappan and Miller worked in the old facilities during their school days and can see ďŹ rst hand the advancements that have been made. The new setup allows them to use more of the newest technology and incorporate it into their instruction. “I really try to teach these kids how to do it in the ďŹ eld if there wasn’t all of this new technology,â€? Tappan said. “But

we have computer, automated drafting, higher level technology in the welding machines. We used to have to cut everything with chop saws.�

Up the hill, the new animal building has 48 pens for goats and lambs and plenty of space for cattle. Parents have built round pen set up to exercise goats and lambs. They bring in a dog three days a week to help in the training. The students are gearing up for some major competitions. “We’ve got about 15 or 20 goats and lambs on feed for major and county livestock shows In November, they’ll be making a trip to buy about 30 hogs for the upcoming shows. “Tommy Barnett had some good advice,� Tappan said. “He said ‘get a good one and feed it good. Good feed will take you a long way. That and clean water.’�

The Cross Roads FFA took several entries to the East Texas State Fair in Tyler this fall and had good results.

“We had eight head of heifers and one steer and nothing we carried placed below third,� Tappan said. “What we try to do with the FFA is to bring the family aspect into it instead of

being solely the kids alone.�

Tappan appreciates the support the department gets from adults in the district. The Booster Club works behind

the scenes to help meet many of the FFA chapter’s needs. A chili-supper and auction last year raised almost $26,000. “We’ve got some great families. A lot of people have stepped up and helped us along the way,� Tappan said.

Tappan said the boosters have not only been helpful ďŹ nancially, but also to lend a hand when something needs to be done.

Tappan said the Ag instructors day is

full and starts early. “We both try to get here at about 7:30 a.m. and when we get here there are people here waiting on us.,� Tappan said.

When classes are done, they may work well into the evening helping with shop projects, being with students readying show animals or preparing for leadership contests. “There’s always something to ďŹ ll up our time, for sure,â€? Tappan said.

The work the students do in the fall lays the groundwork for the big shows in the spring, like Forth Worth, San Antonio and the Henderson County Livestock Show.

He pointed out three heifers in the barn and called them by name, Rainmaker, Friend and Cactus. “Most of the cattle we have on feed are young cattle,� Tappan said. “We’ve had an exponential growth in cattle. Last year, we started with one and this year were going to be hauling 15.�

Miller said he expects the cattle numbers to continue to grow. “We’ve got a lot of young people coming in,� Miller said.

Tappan said they don’t mind if a student hasn’t had an agriculture background. In fact, he wasn’t born into an agricultural family, but grew to love it in school. “We like them green,� Tappan said. “That way we can teach them from the ground up.�

We actually, this year, have tried to tune up our junior FFA program. We’ve got students from the 3rd grade through the 12th grade. The 3rd through 8th graders account for 40 to 50 students. There are about 100 in the high school years.

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East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

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October-November 2015

3

Rain... It Feels So Good A

t long last rain fell in our part of Texas. Some folks got 10-inches or more. At our place 3-inches was tops—but it was as welcome as a new bull calf! The ground quickly sucked up the moisture and hopefully more will follow.

For those folks who are planning to spread some ryegrass for winter grazing, time is running out! This moisture will help seed germination, but we’ll have to have a lot more to grow a winter forage crop. If you want one or more of the named ryegrass varieties, start looking now—some of the better yielders like Marshall and TAM 90 are hard to find this year, and some are just not available at all. One feed store operator reports that even purple top turnip seed are hard to locate. More and more cattle producers are including turnips in their winter pasture program. Cattle love the tops—and then crunch on the turnips as they mature.

Private pesticide applicator licenses are

running out soon for many farmers. Take a look at your license and note the expiration date. Keep in mind that to get a new certificate good for another five years, fifteen hours of schooling in pesticides and their use is required to get the license renewed. If you are going to be short of the fifteen hours of credits at renewal time, there is still hope.

The Aggies at the Texas A & M Research and Extension Center at Overton will be offering a total of ten credit hours in December. One of the sessions takes place Thursday, December 3. Cost is $30 per person for five credits which includes lunch. The program starts at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m. The other session will be held Tuesday, December 8th. Again, this program will be offering five credit hours at a cost of $30 a person—and includes lunch. Attending both sessions will be worth ten credit hours of the required fifteen.

Cattle prices are still down from earlier

figures—and hopefully the rains will bring forth some fast growing wheat and other winter forages. That should help cattle prices to show some rebound. Meantime, every cattle producer needs to know the protein and feeding value of the hay stored for winter feeding. Taking a sample from different cuttings, and different hay meadows, will give a more accurate insight into how that hay fits into the winter feeding program.

The higher the feeding value, the fewer dollars have to be spent on expensive protein supplements.

The race to be in the finals for the next Presidential election is fast moving. Lots of utter nonsense and outright lies is the only thing some of the candidates have to offer— at least it seems that way to me! Anyway, that’s –30—Horace@valornet.com

Knowledge is power in farming

By Jo Anne Embleton jembleton@ jacksonvilleprogress.com

K

nowledge is power.

And the Lone Star Military Farmers are offering both to residents who want to learn more about being self-sustainable.

“It goes back to sustainability,” said LSMF specialist Lois Hutson. “When you’re growing your own food, you have to know how to do that.

But what do you do when that garden is grown? Because you always have more than what you can eat.”

So, along with hosting seed swaps, offering classes on water conservation practices, and even helping property owners by plowing garden plots or setting them up with bee hives, group members lead classes on practical topics like canning, bread-making and composting.

“Oh, the group definitely fills a niche,” said Kim Benton, the Cherokee County horticultural agent who leads classes for the LSMF. “I think that’s pretty much how they got started, by filling that need before they became the Lone Star Military Farmers – people still are wanting to know how to can, how to save water, about homesteading. You don’t have to have a large farm to want do those things, either, because when you’re thinking about being self-sufficient, you become a farmer in that sense, and the land size doesn’t matter.”

The initiative was launched about four years ago by Julianne Sanford, coordinator for the parent group, the Lone Star Military Resource Group, Hutson said.

“She had someone she was very close to, who expressed to her that it was what he wanted to do, but he died suddenly, and she wanted to do this in his memory,” she recalled. “We got to talking and it went from there.”

The first program was a canning class held at the Cowboy Church on State Highway 110, and quickly grew from there.

“We started out with 15 people at that first class, and it grew to about 80 within a couple of months,” Hutson said. “And now, there’s such a high demand for some of the classes. Not just in Cherokee County, but in surrounding areas, too – I’ve been asked to go to the Canton and Dallas areas to teach.”

She notes that many of the classes people ask about – such as the beekeeping class she and her husband, Stephen, lead and the seed-saving classes LSMF offers – are common practices employed by generations before, but are not as familiar to this generation.

“I think that a lot (of the interest in these classes) is insecurity about the economy and where the world is headed to – people want to know how to take care of themselves and their families,” Hutson said.

“And they also see what’s being done to their food and

Photo courtesy of Lone Star Military Farmers A volunteer with the Lone Star Military Farmers looks over the field as he plows up a garden plot for a Cherokee County resident. they want to take a more natural approach, and know who is growing their food, so they’re interested in the farmers’ market we do (during the summer). They want that more personal touch with the farmers, where they get to shake their hands, go to their farm and get to know them, and make it a more intimate experience.”

While the word “military” is part of the group’s name, the knowledge shared by the folks leading classes isn’t just limited to a particular group of people, Hutson added.

“What I want most for people to understand is that we’re

there for the whole community – we may go by the military part, but we’re there for everyone who wants to learn,” she said.

In fact, the people sharing the know-how and offering supplies are residents who are happy to impart that knowledge or help.

“When we do the plowing program, we have folks who help plow small plots; we give the (gardeners/farmers) a harvest basket donated by Texas Basket Co., filled with seeds donated by Spooktacular Bull Bash, that’s decorated with a yellow ribbon from the Lone Star Military Resource

Group,” she noted.

“And the classes … everyone has a skill and has knowledge about something, and we provide a place where everybody can teach something to others, where they can share the knowledge,” she said.

For Benton, whose role as an educator with Texas AgriLife Extension keeps her busy teaching groups young and old, the Lone Star Military Farmers offer the perfect complement to the work she does.

“I can speak to my own experience with that – at Extension, we have seen an increase

in questions from the public in how to do those things themselves, and thankfully, we have that information to help them. And now we have the Lone Star Military Farmers as a resource – they are such great community supporters, and I am very blessed to work with them,” Benton said.

It is Hutson’s hope that as more inquiries come from younger generations of people, they not only learn how to do things like sew or can or make butter and soap, but they learn skills that can help provide them an income.

“What we’re teaching are skills that you can make a good living with, because no one is hardly doing them anymore. If you do the manual labor part of it, you’ll have a job, or even use those skills to barter with,” she said.

For now, though, Hutson says she enjoys learning alongside the folks who participate in the programs.

“I’m having the time of my life,” she said.

For upcoming classes, like the Oct. 27 nutrition class at the Lone Star Military Center at 804 S. Main in Jacksonville, visit the Facebook page,“Lone Star Military Resource & Farmers Group/ Military Veteran Peer Network.”

Photo courtesy of Lone Star Military Farmers The Lone Star Military Farmers recently offered a water conservation class in Jacksonville, where participants learned to create a simple rainwater barrel, used to capture water for a variety of uses.

4

October-November 2015

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East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

Truly ‘Texas Made’ Ranch Brand Meats continues to offer locally-grown cuts

By PENNYLYNN WEBB community@palestineherald.com

R

anch Brand Meats is a full-service meat market offering the finest in choice cuts of beef, pork and

more.

Wayland and Rebecca “Becky” Saxon were original partners when the business opened in 2005, connected to Sportsman’s Memory Shop, a full-service taxidermy shop in Grapeland. The couple bought the other investors out in 2010 and became the sole owners of the company.

“We are a family owned and operated.

We are a Christian-based business,” said Wayland. “My wife and I consider our stores to be an outreach for Christ. We love Jesus and hope every day that we will have the opportunity to share Christ with others that we come in contact with. It’s not about getting rich or making a lot of money; we are happy as long as we are paying the bills.”

Becky noted, “We’ve got great meat without the designer price tag.”

Both stores have a rustic feel and feature state of the art butcher shops and freezers.

The Grapeland facility store features the mounted heads of a buffalo, an elk, a bull, a longhorn and deer. There are pictures of famous cowboys and actors, including movie photos of Robert Duvall as Lonesome Dove’s Gus McCrea and John Wayne.

There are freezers full of choice cuts and baskets filled with custom made beef jerky.

All of their beef is either 100 percent USDA grass-fed certified Angus beef or a number one choice beef, and there are no imports. The beef is free of dyes, hormones, steroids and pink slime. And all their products are injection free. They take pride that their products are “Texas Made” and are known for their special recipes for Ranch

Brand Beef Jerky and hickory smoked flavored sausages and pan sausages. Their jerky flavors include regular, black pepper, red pepper, cayenne pepper, jalapeno, garlic, cajun, teriyaki and sweet teriyaki and can be purchased in packages of 2.08 oz, quarter of a pound and half pound.

Their sausage flavors are pork with garlic, pork with cheese, pork with jalapeno and pork with jalapeno and cheese. They also offer 50/50 pork and beef sausages in the same flavors.

They have a long list of beef, steak, chicken and pork cuts and offer cold cuts including turkey, cajun turkey, roast beef and cajun roast beef. The have value packs for reasonable prices. Their meat is cut fresh and vacuumed sealed to retain that freshness.

Special orders and custom cuts are available. They also offer wholesale cuts to businesses who are interested.

Specialty meats include catfish fillets, frog legs, Alaskan Salmon, Norwegian Salmon, Quail breast, lamb chops, boudin, ball and rice dressing, cheeses and gourmet canned goods.

Ranch Brand accepts the Lone Star card, and Veterans receive ten percent off when presenting their military ID. They have two locations, one in Grapeland on Hwy 287 N. and the other just off Lake Palestine in Flint on US Hwy 155 S. The Grapeland location is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and their Lake Palestine location is open 9 am.. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information log onto their Facebook page at facebook.com/RanchBrandMeats or call them at 936-687-2546 for the Grapeland location or 903-825-7267 for the Lake Palestine location.

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The day Ike toured Fairview

B

ein’ a country vet, I’ve had my share of emergency calls regarding escaped animals. Feeder steers in City Park, buffalo at the mall or snakes in the school yard.

But none of my rescue missions can compare to Gary’s tale entitled “THE DAY IKE TOURED FAIRVIEW.�

Even thirty years ago Fairview, UT put on a pretty good rodeo. Gary happened to be mounted and in the arena when the bull ridin’ began. Ike was a big rough blue gray brahmer with horns like petriďŹ ed cedar and the disposition of a constipated bank examiner! Ike dislodged his rider with ease, made straight for the 6 foot arena fence and cleared it by two cow lengths! He broke for downtown with Gary hot on his heels!

Ike’s ďŹ rst stop was a garage. The shocked owner saw the big bull gallop by and slide in. Thinking to trap him, he closed the garage door. Gary had just turned his horse into the driveway when the garage door exploded in a shower of splinters and glass! Ike thundered by him with a good portion of the door skewered

to his head!

He ran across the street scattering lumber and drove himself between the shavs of a parked pony cart...head ďŹ rst! He picked it up and smashed it into the side of a car!

Gary went to buildin’ a loop as the headed down the street. Ike poked his head in a service station, decided against payin’ a visit, bounced across the next lawn and into the backyard where a picnic was in progress. “Don’t anybody move!� screamed Gary as Ike wandered amongst the frozen relatives, squealing toddlers and potato salad. Gary roped him, but the rope broke when Ike jumped over the neighbor’s privacy fence. Someone threw

Gary another rope. He dropped the horn knot over the saddle horn and roped Ike again! He set his horse. When Ike hit the end of the line, Gary might as well a’been chained to a box car dropped off the Bay bridge! It jerked him and his saddle up and over the ol’ pony’s withers!

Ike ran across the back porch as Gary and his horse sorta hopped along behind him like they had their pants down around their knees!

Ike made a loop around the porch posts, then headed back to the street. The posts tore out with a screech and the roof collapsed like a hot dog stand closin’ its eyes.

Finally Gary’s buddies got two more ropes on Ike. They tipped him over on the curb and managed to guide him (as in guided missile), across the road. But not before he kicked in the window and driver’s side door of a curious onlooker who had stopped to gape!

Ike lived to make several more tours. There were some arenas he just didn’t care to stay in. www.baxterblack.com

Non-traditional farm reaps public benefit Sheriff utilizes land for crops, hay, training

By BOB BELCHER Corsicana Daily Sun

I

t’s not what you’d call a traditional farm operation.

But, it’s one that pays dividends to the folks who own them — the citizens of Navarro County.

Navarro County Sheriff Elmer Tanner oversees two county farm operations — about 80 acres of pasture and garden at Petty’s Chapel, and 70 acres or so south of Corsicana near Angus, where many of the estray livestock picked up by the county are kept.

“Horses, swine, goats, donkeys, and recently we even picked up some emus,� Tanner said.

They ample land available at the locations also allows the agency to make money selling hay to area farmers and ranchers.

It’s an operation that has netted the citizens of Navarro County some $11,000 in hay sales alone this year, Tanner said. “This year we’ve baled about 475 rolls of hay, and we’ve already sold about 275 bales of that hay at $40 a bale,� Tanner said.

Not only is the hay raised and sold a plus for the county’s coffers,

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it helps to provide enough as well to feed the estray livestock that the sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s department has to care for until it is either claimed or disposed of through sales.

But as important, the farms provide an outlet for utilizing inmates from the county jail and giving them a chance to learn by working on the farms. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a teaching tool,â&#x20AC;? Tanner explained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are helping the inmates learn a trade.â&#x20AC;?

Tanner said the farms allow inmates a chance to learn things like re-building fences, upgrading facilities, how to fertilize and how to

care for livestock. As well, the farm has a modest cow/calf operation inmates help with also brings money in for the county.

And, the farm operation plays a role at times in the Navarro County Jail kitchens, utilizing vegetables grown in an inmate-tended garden at the Pettyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chapel farm. While a commercial firm is responsible for the meal service at the jail, their products are supplemented with the home-grown vegetables when they are available. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It works well for us,â&#x20AC;? Tanner said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And, it teaches them the value of an honest dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work.â&#x20AC;?

6

October-November 2015

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East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

Baird shows hard work helps growth

By JEFF RIGGS Athens Review Associate Editor

D

ixon Baird is a prime example of what dealing with livestock can do to make a youth mature.

Baird, 16, and a junior at Cross Roads High School, said raising cattle and showing them at stock events has changed his life.

“Anyone can do whatever they want after they deal with cattle,” Baird said. “Whatever you do, cattle will change your life drastically in great ways.”

Part of his life changed when he met Robert and Carol Mills, who own Mills Feed Supply in Malakoff. Dixon said he bought feed there, and the three were drawn together.

“They are really great people, and have taught me a lot in a very short time about hard work,” he said. “They treat me like their own, and I really like that.”

When Baird graduates from high school, he plans to receive an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. He will begin the application process in January. As a second choice, he may attend classes at Texas A&M University.

“Whatever I do, I plan on raising cattle, and I am trying to build a herd which I will have when I’m older,” he said. “I’m trying to build a business like the Mills have. The main reason I like it is I like working from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. with the Mills. The cattle business lets you know what you want in life, and teaches responsibility.”

Baird, who was born in Arlington, later moved with his parents to Cross Roads.

He has two sisters and one other brother.

His father owns 400 head of cattle at their home.

Among Dixon’s many livestock victories, he won first place with his calf, Harley Chick in the open show Oct. 1 at the East Texas State Fair in Tyler. Dixon purchased his Braford heifer from the Mills family with funds he won for catching a calf at all three major show calf scrambles early this year. He paid the Mills family $5,000.

Contributed photo

Dixon loves to fish, too. He caught this in one of the lakes at the Baird ranch in Cross Roads.

Contributed photo

Dixon working at Rock Crest Ranch with cowboys from South Africa the week of Oct. 4. The Mills Family has taken Dixon under their wing and teach him things besides what goes on in the show ring.

At the end of October, he plans to compete in a show in Shreveport, Louisiana with his heifer through the help of the Mills.

Carol Mills said she and her husband, Robert have youth that buy cattle from them to show at their junior programs.

“We have youth that buy cattle from us to show at their junior programs. We are open and welcome to all kids that want to spend time with us,” she said. “We asked Dixon to come and start working with us.

He is a quiet young man, but has a true passion for showing and being involved with cattle. He is very easy to work with. As adults if we are not wiling to show youth value of hard work, there is somebody out there who is willing to show the bad roads.”

As one of the Mills many activities, they both serve on Henderson County livestock judging teams, and work closely with livestock with their son, Trey Abney.

“It’s been a great pleasure for Robert and I to work with the youth,” Carol Mills said.

Dixon is currently ranked No. 1 in his junior class. In addition, he is: a member of Phi Theta Kappa at Trinity Valley Community College; a member of the United States Achievement Academy; a member of the National Society of High School Scholars; a member of National Honor Society; Chaplain of the Cross Roads Bible Club; a member of First Baptist Church of Cross Roads; president of the Sandyland District

of FFA; treasurer of Cross Roads FFA; the 2015 Calf Scramble Winner; Fort Worth Livestock Show, San Antonio Livestock Show and Houston Livestock Show (Hard Luck Winner).

He is also a volunteer for the Athens soup kitchen in the summer, and at Vacation Bible School for First Baptist Church of Cross Roads. He also donates blood to Carter Blood Care.

Dixon plans on being a member of the Cross Roads Bobcat Baseball Team as a lefthanded pitcher.

In his spare time, he cheers on the Houston Astros, loves to fish, and loves to duck hunt and deer hunt.

Contributed photo

Dixon with a buck that he shot at the Baird ranch in Cross Roads.

Contributed photo

Dixon showing his Braford heifer at East Texas State Fair. Her name is Harley Chick, and she won first place in her class.

Contributed photo

This is at East Texas State Fair with Robert and Carol Mills. Dixon bought his heifer from them and their ranch. Rock Crest Ranch.

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October-November 2015

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Made From Scratch Family farm does healthy on its own

By Haley Hoar news@palestineherald.com

F

arm fresh eggs and pastured chickens are the starts of what Made From Scratch Farm owner James Suggs hopes to be a new way of thinking of food.

The inspiration for Made From Scratch Farm was a longing to go back to the way things were.

Parents to four boys, James and his wife Kassy noticed a lack of healthy eating options.

“I think with most people, whenever you have kiddos you start wondering what are you’re putting in your kids bodies,” James said. “What are you serving them for food. I think when we’re all in our 20s we don’t care about refined sugars or steroid induced chickens, we just don’t think about that stuff.

When we started feeding our kids and we looked at what we were providing, it started, at least for Kassy and I, to weigh heavy on our hearts.”

After searching for an affordable way to bring healthier eating to their family, James said they decided to start raising their animals.

“It’s our goal to feed our family and to put on our plate, everything that comes from our farm,” James said.

He explained that while many people raise animals on farms, the Suggs family does things a bit

differently.

“We try to raise animals on our farm using nature as a template,” James said.

He gave the example of how his chickens get most of their nutrients, explaining that chickens enjoy short grass so after the cows have grazed a certain area of the pasture, the chickens have an area to eat. The Suggs family follows their cows patterns, bringing their chicken coop, also known as the “egg-mobile,” to the area that the cows have been grazing.

James said the chickens scratch the cow patties and serve as stewards to sanitize the pasture behind the cows, all while finding 20 percent of their diet in the insects they consume. This process helps to fertilize the pasture offering better grass for the cows to eat in their next rotation.

“It’s funny if you look at the synergy, the way that God intended birds to follow cows, like the birds on the horn of the rhinoceros, they’ve always been paired together,” James said.

“So if you look at nature as your template, God told us how to farm a long time ago. He started it long before we did, so instead of trying to ignore what he’s put in place, and trying to circumvent it by our man-made designs, I find it works better if we work in unison with the template he’s put before us.”

Currently, the farm is home to many egg laying chickens, broilers and cattle. James said they sell fresh eggs and birds to the public and alert their

customers to what is available through a weekly newsletter.

Orders can be made by contacting Kassy at madefromscratch@ gmail.com. The farm is also on Facebook at facebook.com/ MadeFromScratchFarm and on Instagram at instagram.com/ madefromscratchfarm.

The website is madefromscratchfarm. com/

8

October-November 2015

Support Agriculture Businesses... They Are the Heartbeat of Our Economy.

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Budget deal has implications for agriculture Special to the Athens Review

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his week, the White House and Congressional leaders struck a tentative budget deal that provides a framework and additional funding needed to allow Congress to complete the annual appropriations funding legislative process.

According to Traci Bruckner, Senior Policy Associate at the Center for Rural Affairs, the budget deal contains significant implications for agricultural and Farm Bill programs. “This bill takes a small step in reforming federally subsidized crop insurance programs by reducing the cap on the profits that crop insurance companies extract from administering the program from 14.5 percent to 8.9 percent,” said Bruckner. “In addition, it also indicates that the Standard Reinsurance Agreement must be renegotiated by December 31, 2016 and once every five years thereafter.”

“This is a small but a positive step forward,” noted Bruckner.

“Insurance companies have been one of the largest beneficiaries of the subsidized crop insurance program. They witnessed double digit returns over the last decade or more, with one year being as high as 34%. During belt-tightening times, it is most appropriate to ask crop insurance companies to accept a reduction in the profits from federal subsidies that they receive.”

“Moreover, the budget deal scraps the Farm Bill provision that prevented taxpayers from benefiting from government negotiations with the private sector over the delivery of crop insurance,” added Bruckner.

“This was an outrageous gift to the crop insurance lobby and it is a policy that should never have seen the light of day.”

Bruckner noted further that while there is a great deal more crop insurance subsidy reform needed to support and protect family farmers and the environment, renegotiation is a small but important first step toward much needed comprehensive reform.

“And with the additional funding

the budget deal provides to the appropriators to finish the fiscal year 2016 funding bills, Congress has the opportunity to turn back the tide on cuts to conservation,” Bruckner continued. “Congress should move quickly to eliminate the 23 percent cut to the Conservation Stewardship Program in the pending House bill and the $300 million cut to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program that is currently included in both the House and Senate bills.”

“Opponents of cuts to crop insurance company profits have criticized ‘opening up the Farm Bill’ but those criticisms ring hollow when compared to how often Congress has opened up the Farm Bill to cut conservation programs,” concluded Bruckner. “It is disingenuous to use rhetoric about family farmers to protect crop insurance company profits while at the same time cutting the conservation programs

that farmers and ranchers depend upon to improve soil and water quality, conserve water, and prepare for extreme weather events.”

Cooking Wisely

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

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October-November 2015

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CHICKEN CHILI Ingredients 4 - Boneless Chicken Breasts, Diced 1 - 32 oz. Container Chicken Broth 1 - Large Bell Pepper, Diced 1 - 15 oz. Can Crushed Tomatoes 1 - 15 oz. Can Cream Style Corn 1 - pkg. Taco Seasoning 2 - Cans White Chili Beans 2 - Tbsp. Chili Powder 1 - Tbsp. Ground Cumin 1 - Tsp. Paprika 1 - Tsp. Salt 1 - Tsp. Black Pepper 1 - Tbsp Garlic Powder

Instructions Add first 3 ingredients to a large stock pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 10 minutes and add all the other ingredients. Reduce heat and simmer for another 15 minutes. Enjoy.

O

ver the last several weeks, I have tried to make a conscious decision to take better care of my health. This decision came a little over a month ago when I was told for the second time that my cholesterol was too high. Must be all the biscuits and gravy over my lifetime.

After all... Isn’t that what all self respecting southern women cook for their families? I guess it finally caught up with me. Just like the Bible says, “your sin will find you out”...... must be true. Not to mention my M&M candy addiction. You have to start somewhere. If you never start, you will never succeed.

With the cooler weather, what better time to try out a new chili recipe? Sunday evening, I cooked this dish and thought maybe you may enjoy it as well. What a great way to warm up and the calories are a lot less in Chicken Chili than the traditional Chili made with beef. ~Dee

FARM & RANCH CLASSIFIEDS To advertise here, contact Lezlie Hoover at 903-729-0281 or email lhoover@ palestineherald. com

10

October-November 2015

Support Agriculture Businesses... They Are the Heartbeat of Our Economy.

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

Series serves agriculture information to community

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he Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Smith County has a history of serving its citizens, and the ET Garden Lecture Series is no exception.

From 9 a.m. to noon, Nov. 14, a lecture titled “Camellias – The Winter Garden Shouldn’t Be Boring” will be presented at the Tyler Rose Garden.

Dr. David Creech, regents professor at Stephen F. Austin State University and director of the SFA Mast Arboretum in Nacogdoches, will oversee the lecture.

Camellias can be set out anytime of the year if properly cared for, but late fall to early spring is the ideal time to plant them, according to the AgriLife Extension Service.

For best results, camellias should be planted in partial or full shade. If planted in full sun, the leaves may get scalded and turn yellow instead of the normal dark green. Camellias grow best in well-drained, organic, sandy, slightly acid soil; a pH of 6.0 to 6.5 is ideal. Avoid planting near shallow-rooted trees such as elm, birch or maple.

The glossy evergreen foliage and bright flowers begin to bloom in the fall and can continue to bloom into the winter.

There are thousands of named varieties of camellias ranging in colors, forms and sizes, according to the extension service.

Camellias originated from China and Japan. One species is economically important for its tea qualities throughout Asia. Today, camellias serve as beautiful landscape plants throughout the south and grow well in containers.

Folks will learn how to use the flowers to liven-up their otherwise dormant gardens this winter.

For more information on the lecture series, contact Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Smith County office at (903) 590-2980, or www.facebook.com/ ETGardenConference History of the Smith County AgriLife Extension Service In 1906, W. C. Stallings was hired by the Smith County Commissioners Court as the first county agent in the United States to serve only one county. Today, five agents and one

program assistant serve residents with a diverse offering of educational programs and services. Smith County’s year 2010 population of 209,714 places it in the top 25 counties in the state. County agricultural enterprises annually produce an income of $121,600,000 for area farmers, ranchers and horticultural operations.

We provide research-based information in agriculture, horticulture, family and consumer science, 4-H and youth development and community resource development through educational programs. The Smith County Extension program is administered by a professional staff of Extension agents working with the Smith County Leadership Advisory Board. Educational programs are implemented through specific program area committees. Board and committee members are community volunteers interested in helping the people of Smith County.

ZZZZZZZ... ZZZZZZZ...

H

i Y’all, Can you believe it’s already the end of October. You know what that means –yes-Christmas is lurking on the horizon. Mama said she knows Christmas is on the way cause a store where she buys stuff at already has decorations out. A little early she thinks; what about you.

And Mama celebrated a birthday the end of last month.

We took a short trip to my home state of Missouri for the occasion. Now I was born just a few hours north of Branson, but don’t remember much about the area since I was just a wee ball of fur when I headed to Texas. I do remember riding in Mama’s lap all the way to my new home. I thought to myself then and there that my new life was going to be pretty good and it sure has been.

And my folks were real easy to train too since they’re suckers for wiggly balls of fur with pretty brown eyes.

While in Branson I decided to add to my list of things I don’t like. So far gondolas, helicopters that land right next to you, windmills, roofers banging around and now ziplines fill the list. My folks decided that we should take a walk by the river one pretty afternoon and it sounded like a good idea at the time. We parked by the Bass Pro Shop, a favorite of mine since critters

like me are welcome, and walked down to a path that goes on as far as you can see. All was ok till I heard some screaming and yelling and I thought,” There’s no cattle down here to get out and no wild animals hanging around so what’s all the rukus about?”. Then as we got closer to the noise I looked up and saw people hanging on a cable flying along over the river. I thought,” Now why would anyone want to do that?”. And to top it off Mama commented to Daddy.” Hey, we should do that; it looks like fun”.

I thought,” Who is this ‘we’ you’re referring to cause I’m not doing that, never, no way, not me, forget about it”. I have ridden in gondolas on occasion because I had to, but at least I was on the inside of that thing. Here you’re hanging on to a cable and flying along at a pretty rapid pace. With all the noise I decided I would head back to the truck, but my folks kept on walking and since I was connected to them with a leash I had no choice but to go as well. I kept a close eye on those crazies zipping over my head and finally felt safe a ways down the path. But of course if you go down a path then you’ve got to make a return trip and when we did the racket was still going on. And music was coming out of all the light poles and no one was around. What’s up with that? I sure was glad when we

got back to my truck and I could relax a little.

Not long after that we headed back to New Mexico for a cattle sale. I ‘ve mentioned this ranch before and I love going out there. Lot’s of room to get out and roam and no ziplines either. While staying in Ruidoso there were signs all around to be on the lookout for bears. We never saw any but mentioned it to Tate, the manager for Westall Brangus, and he said those furry things come down from the surrounding mountains and play with the floats in the water tanks as if they were beach balls. That’d be a sight to see wouldn’t it.

EAST TEXAS ANDERSON CO. LIVESTOCK Updated: 10/21/2015 Head Count: 270 Buyers: 29 Sellers: 35

Since the weather has finally gotten a little cooler I sure am sleeping good at night. Guess it’s cause I’m out and about a lot during the day. The other night I woke up from a couch nap and my folks were laughing and staring at me. I thought,” What, haven’t you ever seen a dog sleeping before?”. Then Daddy said,” Kodi, you’ve been barking and running in your sleep. Are you chasing squirrels or working cattle? We ought to film you and out it on YouTube”. I sure hope they don’t cause that would be kind of embarrassing. Course that may explain why I wake up from naps and still feel kind of tired. And by the way I don’t make fun of my folks when they fall asleep while watching tv. If I could use the phone I’d record them cause sometimes they snore so loudly they drown out the sound. Just saying.

Speaking of squirrels, one of those pesky varmits got me in trouble twice on the golf course last week. Now you know I get out and run some when I have permission, good manners and all, but that day I got out twice on my own within 5 minutes. The first time I got scolded, but the second I got my leash put back on. In my defense though that squirrel was trash talking and I just can’t abide a rude squirrel. I mean wouldn’t you have done the same if a furry little var-

STOCK PRICES EAST TEXAS LIVESTOCK INC. Updated: 10/20/2015 Cows: 334 Bulls: 17 Buyers: 57 Sellers: 189

STEERS 300 lbs - DOWN: $1.65-$3.05 lb 300 lbs - 400 lbs: $1.58-$2.45 lb 400 lbs - 500 lbs: $1.47-$2.23 lb 500 lbs - 600 lbs: $1.40-$2.17 lb 600 lbs - 700 lbs: $1.35-$1.80 lb 700 lbs - 800 lbs: $1.20-$1.69 lb

STEERS 300 lbs - DOWN: $240-$375 305 lbs - 400 lbs: $225-$305 405 lbs - 500 lbs: $195-$238 505 lbs - 600 lbs: $170-$220 605 lbs - 800 lbs: $155-$194

HEIFERS 300 lbs - DOWN: $1.60-$3.00 lb 300 lbs - 400 lbs: $1.52-$2.45 lb 400 lbs - 500 lbs: $1.42-$2.11 lb 500 lbs - 600 lbs: $1.35-$1.90 lb 600 lbs - 700 lbs: $1.30-$1.70 lb 700 lbs - 800 lbs: $1.10-$1.50 lb

HEIFERS 300 lbs - DOWN: $230-$340 305 lbs - 400 lbs: $210-$290 405 lbs - 500 lbs: $175-$224 505 lbs - 600 lbs: $155-$200 605 lbs - 800 lbs: $135-$182 SLAUGHTER Cows: $65-$91 Bulls: $86-$99

SLAUGHTER Cows: $0.55 - $0.82 lb Bulls: $0.85 - $1.06 lb

PAIRS NO TEST

PAIRS $1125 - $2200

BRED COWS $1500 - $1850/hd

Stocker Cows: $875 - $1900 hd Goats: $45 - $150 TRI-COUNTY LIVESTOCK MARKET Updated: 10/17/2015 Head Count: 1024 STEERS 300 lbs - DOWN: $1.65-$2.83 lb 300 lbs - 400 lbs: $1.55-$2.60 lb 400 lbs - 500 lbs: $1.50-$2.30 lb 500 lbs - 600 lbs: $1.50-$1.92 lb 600 lbs - 700 lbs: $1.45-$1.85 lb 700 lbs - 800 lbs: $1.40-$1.67 lb HEIFERS 300 lbs - DOWN: $1.60-$2.35 lb 300 lbs - 400 lbs: $1.50-$2.05 lb 400 lbs - 500 lbs: $1.40-$1.70 lb 500 lbs - 600 lbs: $1.40-$1.65 lb 600 lbs - 700 lbs: $1.35-$1.62 lb 700 lbs - 800 lbs: $1.30-$1.57 lb SLAUGHTER Cows: $0.45 - $0.90 Heavy Bulls: $0.85 - $1.07 PAIRS Stocker Cows: $1100 - $1600 Pairs - $1850 - $2100

mit sat right in front of you and laughed and said,” He-he-he, you can’t chase me”. What’s a self respecting cowdog to do.

And I’ve been wondering something. Do any of you have trouble figuring out where to hide you ½ eaten chewies or anything else you might want to come back and finish later? If I happen to sneak one outside and Mama sees me looking for a place I always hear,” Kodi, don’t dig a hole in the flowers to hide that thing”. If I’m inside and put it behind the couch/bed pillows then when the ‘neat fairy’ comes along it’s,” Kodi, put that thing in your toy box not behind these pillows”. I guess the best solution is to chew it up when I get one and I wouldn’t have that problem. But sometimes chewing makes me sleepy and I just can’t finish it before my eyelids get heavy. If you know of a good hiding place let me know.

Guess I’d better close for now. All this talk of chewies has me thinking of where a ½ eaten one might be. Since I’m outside one of my horse hoof pieces is probably at just the right stage for some enjoyment. The sun’s out, it’s warm on my fur and a nice breeze is blowing so I feel the need to chew awhile. Course that’ll probably ZZZZZZZZZZ.

NACOGDOCHES LIVESTOCK EX. Updated: 10/22/2015 Head Count: 1342 Buyers: 69 Sellers: 130 STEERS 300 lbs - DOWN: $1.85-$3.30 lb 300 lbs - 400 lbs: $1.72-$2.70 lb 400 lbs - 500 lbs: $1.48-$2.35 lb 500 lbs - UP: $1.27-$2.00 lb HEIFERS 300 lbs - DOWN: $1.65-$3.30 lb 300 lbs - 400 lbs: $1.50-$2.45 lb 400 lbs - 500 lbs: $1.35-$2.15 lb 500 lbs - UP: $1.10-$1.97 lb SLAUGHTER Cows: $0.55 - $0.88 lb Bulls: $0.80 - $1.05 lb PAIRS $1175 - $2100 Stocker Cows: $875-$2100 hd Baby Calves: $50 - $400 hd Horses: NONE Goats: $45 - $150 hd

HUNTS LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE Updated: 10/19/2015 Head Count: 928 huntlivestockexchange.com STEERS 200 lbs - 299 lbs $1.60-$3.13 lb 300 lbs - 399 lbs: $1.50-$2.65 lb 400 lbs - 499 lbs: $1.50-$2.35 lb 500 lbs - 599 lbs: $1.40-$2.09 lb 600 lbs - 699 lbs: $1.45-$1.89 lb 700 lbs - 799 lbs: $1.40-$1.71 lb HEIFERS 200 lbs - 299 lbs $1.60-$2.75 lb 300 lbs - 399 lbs: $1.50-$2.15 lb 400 lbs - 499 lbs: $1.40-$2.10 lb 500 lbs - 599 lbs: $1.35-$1.99 lb 600 lbs - 699 lbs: $1.35-$1.71 lb 700 lbs - 799 lbs: $1.30-$1.79 lb SLAUGHTER Cows: $0.40 - $0.90 lb Bulls: $0.75 - $0.97 lb PAIRS Pairs: $1450-$2000 Stocker Cows: $300-$2175 Fall Stocker Sale - OCTOBER 31 @ 4p.m.

ATHENS COMMISSION CO. Updated: 10/23/2015 Head Count: 733 Sellers: 128 Sale EVERY Friday At 11am STEERS 300 lbs - DOWN: $1.70-$3.00 lb 300 lbs - 400 lbs: $1.60-$2.70 lb 400 lbs - 500 lbs: $1.50-$2.30 lb 500 lbs - UP: $1.40-$1.90 lb HEIFERS 300 lbs - DOWN: $1.60-$2.50 lb 300 lbs - 400 lbs: $1.50-$2.30 lb 400 lbs - 500 lbs: $1.40-$1.90 lb 500 lbs - UP: $1.30-$1.75 lb

Plainer cattle prices are below these figures!

SLAUGHTER Cows: $0.50 - $0.83 lb Heavy Bulls: $0.70-$1.04 lb PAIRS Top: $1500 - $2500 Low Middle: $800 - $1500 Stocker Cows: $0.75 - $2.05 lb Baby calves: $100 - $475 hd Horses: $50 - $550 hd Goats: $35 - $225 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.

Gone Fishing with Jerry Miller

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

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October-November 2015

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Tips for locating and catching bass

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ne of the main things that separates the pro from the weekend fisherman is his ability to quickly analyze the situation and determine what mood the fish are in.

The first bite you get when you begin a day of fishing is your first clue or piece of the puzzle. Seeing how a fish reacts to your lure tells you a couple of things.

First, if the bass inhales your lure you can assume you have chosen the right lure, action and color. On the other hand, if you miss your first strike or you barely hook the bass you know adjustments are needed.

Most mornings I start with a fast moving lure like a top water bait, crank or spinner. If I don’t get a strike in 8 to 10 minutes I know it’s time to try something different or change areas.

Sometimes just changing from one side of the cove to the next will do the trick. Other times you may want to fish from point to point to locate bass.

One of the most critical components to finding bass is to quickly determine what depth the bass are feeding. In the early morning hours we typically start shallow but will progressively move deeper fishing the best available cover until you make contact with the bass.

Where you start your day fishing will have to coincide with the seasons.

In spring you mostly fish depths of 1 to 10 feet. In the month of May a lot of bass are still shallow, especially early in the morning. By June as the surface temperatures soar up into the 80s a lot of bass will move deeper.

In East Texas that means depths of about 15 to 20 feet depending on water clarity. On dingy water lakes with visibility of about one to two feet typically you start shallow. If you can see the bottom in five feet typically you need to probe deeper.

The fall season can begin by early September. The secret to fall fishing is in locating the baitfish. Strange as it might sound, there was a massive movement of shad on Lake Jacksonville in early September at noontime. Thousands of shad moved up into the north end of the lake, and large groups of bass followed.

These bass ate up a Yellow Magic bait.

After they had gorged themselves they promptly moved back to deeper water and were hard to locate.

On Lake Jacksonville there is a tremendous amount of baitfish ranging in size from one inch to three inches. A lot of these baitfish are roaming in the bank.

As I reported before I’m seeing a lot of baitfish all over the lake.

Most of the bass you catch are small, but you just have to keep looking and moving around until you find the larger

schools of bass.

Typically fall is a good time to fish crank baits. I usually have two different sizes of crank baits tied on in a shad pattern. A lot of the bass are shallow, so a 1.5 size will suffice.

I hear that a lot of bass are being caught in Cat Creek on Lake Jacksonville in shallow water. Fall is a good time of year to throw and go. I simply pull into a creek, put the trolling motor down, and go cranking. ………………

I just received from Texas Parks & Wildlife a survey report on Lake Athens where they shocked fish to determine the growth rate of bass. One thing to keep in mind is that Athens is under a 14-21 inch slot-size limit.

Richard Ott, TP&W biologist, said, “We did not see as many of the yearling fish at Athens as we did last week on Tyler, and that is likely due to the fact that the vegetation is so dense at Athens that it is difficult for the small fish to fight their way through it to the surface. However, size distribution is very good and condition of the fish is mostly 90 or above. This means that the fish weigh at least 90% of the standard weight for a fish that size. We did see several skinny fish (17-18 inch) with pretty severe hooking damage that were having trouble catching prey.”

When I looked at the survey chart I did see more bass in the 9-inch to 18-inch size. They only shocked up one bass in the 19, 20 and 23 inch range. In the larger size bass (14” to 23”) they shocked up 15 bass in the 15-inch size and about a dozen in the 16-inch size. Even less fish were shocked up in the 17-inch size and above.

Jerry Miller may be contacted at: gonefishing2@suddenlink.net

Cherokee and Rusk County livestock producers may be eligible for 2015 Drought Disaster Assistance Special to Jacksonville Progress

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he County Executive Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in CherokeeRusk County, Chris Lynn, announced today that ranchers and livestock producers may be eligible for assistance from the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) for grazing losses incurred in 2015.

According to Lynn, “Cherokee and Rusk County recently met qualifying drought ratings that ‘trigger’ eligibility for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program on improved pasture, native pasture and sorghum forage.”

The Livestock Forage Disaster Program provides compensation to livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses due to drought or fire.

For losses due to drought, qualifying drought ratings are determined using the U.S. Drought Monitor located at http://www. drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html.

Qualifying fires are those occurring on rangeland managed by a federal agency and the producer is prohibited by the federal agency from grazing the normal permitted livestock on the managed rangeland due to the fire.

Eligible livestock include alpacas, beef cattle, buffalo, beefalo, dairy cattle, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, poultry, reindeer, sheep or swine that have been or would have been grazing the eligible grazing land or pastureland during the normal grazing period.

Applications are required for 2015 losses. To expedite applications, producers who experienced losses in 2015 are encouraged to collect records documenting their losses. Supporting documents may include information related to grazing leases or federal grazing permits, contract grower agreements, and more.

“We encourage producers to contact our office for an appointment, and to learn what records are required to apply for assistance,” said Lynn.

For more information, contact the CherokeeRusk County FSA office at 903-683-4234.

Information can also be obtained online at: disaster.fsa.usda.gov.

12

October-November 2015

Support Agriculture Businesses... They Are the Heartbeat of Our Economy.

UPCOMING EVENTS tyler: • November 10, 10:00am - 6:00pm: Holiday Shopping at Hollytree.

Hollytree Country Club. . Shopping & free make-overs from Neiman Marcus. Open to Public. No admission charge. For more information call 903.581.4952

henderson: • November 14: Heritage Syrup Festival always the 2nd Saturday in November. Old time syrup making. Depot Museum over 5 aces of activities which include: Syrup Making, Bluegrass Music, Folk Artist, Antique Tractors, Blacksmith, Broom Making and much more. Ride Hayride Shuttle to Historic Downtown. Activities include: Over 300 Shopping Vendors, Antique and Classic Cars, Melodrama, CASI Chili Cook-Off, Children’s Activities, County Music and much more.For more information Depot Museum 903-657-4303, City of Henderson Dept of TourismCivic Center 866-650-5529 or e-mail tourism@hendersontx.us

crockett: • November 21, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM: The Crockett Area Chamber of Commerce will host the 34th Annual Christmas in Crockett, in Crockett, Texas, downtown on the square. Enjoy the Christmas spirit with over 200 arts & crafts booths, along with food vendors, kids activities, entertainment, classic car show, quilt show and much more! www. crockettareachamber.org

PALESTINE: • December 4-6: - The winter season is approaching quickly and that can only mean one thing…Frost Fest in Palestine! Frost Fest is a unique festival which celebrates the holiday season in a unique way.

We bring all things snow and ice to the Piney Woods of East Texas!

Come to Palestine to celebrate the season, like you can nowhere else!

Frost Fest whisks visitors away to a winter wonderland filled with snow sliding/tubing, ice skating, historical tour of homes, Freeze Your Buns 5k Run, yummy hot chocolate and plenty of family-fun activities. 401 W. Main St. Palestine. For more information, please call (903)7296066 or email info@palestinecamber.org

jefferson: • December 12-13: Jefferson Gun and Knife Show. Jefferson Visitor Center 305 E. Austin Street, Downtown Jefferson, Texas details at Jefferson-Texas.com

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living