Tools to help you manage your land

Posted

Many people in Archuleta County live on acreage. Some move here from other parts of the country, some have managed land for decades and others are new to this way of living. Some folks are even interested in some type of agriculture-for-profit venture and others want to learn to grow vegetables for themselves and their families.

Whatever your situation, you need to know how to be a good steward of the land. This means controlling noxious weeds, keeping pastures healthy and productive, and understanding the soil. It means understanding what grows well here at high elevation or how to successfully raise animals. So, whether you own half an acre or 300 acres, don’t miss these upcoming workshops that will provide you valuable information to help you be successful and be a good land steward.

Weed symposium

Get the most up-to-date information from experts on weed management at the 21st Annual Four Corners Weed Symposium.

This all-day workshop will be held Tuesday, March 25, at the La Plata County Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The La Plata County Fairgrounds are located at 2500 North Main Ave. in Durango.

The workshop is sponsored by Colorado State University Extension and New Mexico State University Extension and includes topics on top weeds to watch for, pesticide application, safety and regulations, how to use weed identification tools, dryland acreage management, reducing weed pressures with dense healthy turf and herbicide resistance.

The cost of the workshop is $25 and includes lunch, breaks and handouts. For information on this and other local programs, call Archuleta County Extension at 264-5931. To register, call, mail, e-mail or fax your registration information and payment to: Four Corners Weed Symposium, La Plata County Extension, 2500 North Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301, 382-6464 or darrin.parmenter@colostate.edu, fax 247-2365.

Integrated land and garden workshop

Whether you are a gardener, landowner or current or potential producer, the Integrated Land and Garden Workshop is for you.

Sponsored by Colorado State University Extension and New Mexico State University Extension, this workshop will be held March 26, 8 a.m.-3:15 p.m. at the La Plata County Fairgrounds in Durango.

Topics will focus on land management tools including weed identification, forest issues, wildlife fencing and pest management, soil health, companion planting and the relationship between drought and ancient agriculture.

Cost of the workshop is $20 and includes handouts, snacks and lunch. For more information on this and other local programming, contact Archuleta County Extension at 264-5931. Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible. Call, mail, e-mail or fax your registration information and payment to: La Plata County Extension, 2500 North Main Ave.,Durango, CO 81301, phone 382-6464, fax 247-2365, e-mail parmenterdm@co.laplata.co.us.

Good Steward Project

The Good Steward Project will be held April 26, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Archuleta County Fairgrounds.

This all-day event will provide valuable information for anyone living on one or more acres and looking for help managing the land or interested in animal or vegetable production. Topics include raising miniature Herefords, goats, chickens or alpacas, vegetable production, beekeeping, grasses for our area and weed management.

The workshop is free to the public with a $5 fee for lunch. For more information, contact the Archuleta County Extension office at 264-5931.

The workshop is co-sponsored by the Archuleta County Farm Bureau and Archuleta County Extension.

CPR and first aid classes 

CPR and first aid certification classes are now being offered monthly by the CSU Extension office on the second Monday and Wednesday of each month from 6-10 p.m.

Anyone needing to receive or renew certification can register by calling the extension office at 264-5931. We will also schedule classes on additional dates with five or more registrations. Cost for the classes is $80 for combined CPR/first aid, $55 for individual CPR or first aid and $35 for recertification with proof of current certification. The type of first aid information provided will vary by the needs of the audience.

Fair royalty contest

The Archuleta County Fair Board has opened the 2014 County Fair Royalty contest to all young ladies in the county who meet the age requirements.

Royalty hopefuls will be required to complete an application, participate in an interview process and deliver a prepared speech in a public setting. A panel of judges will select a queen, princess and junior princess based on these activities.

For information, contact the CSU Extension office at 264-5931. Pick up applications at the Extension office or from Leeann Skoglund at the junior high. All applications must be turned into the Extension office by March 28 at 4 p.m. The contest will be held March 30 at 2 p.m. at the Extension office.