Scope of Work

Base Bid

Furnish all labor, materials and equipment necessary for construction of BMP Study Area Parking and Detention Basin which includes all site work, excavation, base and form preparation of fifty-two (52) parking spaces, installation of impervious concrete pavement, concrete curb and gutter, necessary utilities, etc. as indicated in the drawings and specified herein. The Owner shall furnish and install all fifty-two (52) porous pavement spaces (as indicated on the plans as porous asphalt, grass pavers, permeable interlocking concrete pavers, and porous concrete) as well as hydromulch seed and/or sod all disturbed locations and therefore shall not be included in the Base Bid.

Alternate 1

Furnish all labor, materials (except porous concrete mix to be by others), equipment necessary for construction of thirty-two (32) porous concrete parking spaces. The Owner shall furnish and install the remaining twenty (20) porous pavement spaces (as indicated on the plans as porous asphalt, grass pavers, and permeable interlocking pavers) and therefore shall not be included in the Base Bid or the Alternate Bid.

Information and Bidding Documents

Mandatory Pre-Bid on May 3, 2012 @ 11:00 a.m. in the Research Building Seminar Room, Texas AgriLife Research and Extension, 17360 Coit Road, Dallas, Texas.

Bidding documents:

• Plans
• Contract Documents and Specifications
• Pre-bid Meeting Sign-in Sheet

All questions about the meaning or intent of the bidding documents shall be submitted to the Engineer in writing. Written questions are to be submitted by e-mail to Daniel Applegate, P.E. with Alan Plummer Associates, inc. at dapplegate@apaienv.com. Replies will be issued by addenda via the website referenced above.

Receipt of Bids

Competitive sealed proposals will be received until 2:00 PM, May 9, 2012at which time they will be publicly opened and read. Bid documents may be submitted by mail or delivered prior to bid opening time.HUB Subcontracting Plan must be submitted with bid.

Submit bid to:

Jimmy Dunn
Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center
17360 Coit Road
Dallas, Texas 75252

Plano residents can pre-register for workshops by clicking HERE.

Other area residents will be able to register on-site. Come over to the Rain Barrel making area and we will get you signed up.
Cost: $40/person (Exact Cash or Check only- Sorry no credit cards will be accepted)

NOTE: Rain barrels measure 24 inches in diameter and 36 inches tall. Please bring a vehicle large enough to haul your rain barrel home. Rain barrels must be picked up by 6:30pm on April 16th.

For more information about the Live Green Expo, please visit: http://www.livegreenexpo.net/

Four TCEQ CEUs and Six TNLA CEUs will be offered at the expo. Participants can earn CEUs by participating in lectures given by local and regional experts in the fields of irrigation and water resource management.

Click Here for a printable flyer to share with others interested.

Vendors, please sumbit your vendor application here.

Attendees, please register online here.

Request for Bids

Aerial Photo of Property

Hussey said the A&M System will partner with Realty Appreciation Ltd. to design, build and operate the Urban Living Laboratory.

"With this announcement today, we are placing the A&M System squarely in a leadership role to help create more eco-friendly and sustainable urban communities around the globe," said Kevin Rogers, Realty Appreciation's director of real estate. "There is nothing like it in the world."

Located at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Dallas, the Urban Living Laboratory will be the world's largest Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified research, demonstration and teaching laboratory. The development, with more than 1 million square feet of planned buildings, will occupy 73 acres of land, Hussey said. The mixed-use, multi-purpose development will include apartments, offices, retail and hospitality.

The partners noted that the development will span multiple research and education disciplines including energy and atmosphere, environmental quality, waste management and recycling, intelligent buildings and monitoring, urban design and economics, transportation and logistics, and water resource management.

"Through science-based research and education, this project will build a sustainability road map and a comprehensive knowledge base for real estate developers, investors, bankers, appraisers, city planners, manufacturers of 'green' projects, government agencies and the general public," Hussey said. "This will advance the science of building more sustainable urban environments, which can be replicated throughout the world."

Scientists from throughout the A&M System - especially from Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Texas AgriLife Research - as well as scientists from other universities will use the Urban Living Laboratory to research, demonstrate and teach concepts of sustainability, Hussey noted.

The project will enable scientists to study conservation and local generation of energy and water resources; the economic, social and financial factors that influence urban real estate development; the integration of sustainability into commercial development strategies; the important role of stakeholders and developers in building sustainable urban developments; and how social, biological and physical attributes of urban environments influence health and productivity, Hussey added.

Research at the Urban Living Laboratory will use a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates both quantitative and qualitative research methods, according to Rogers.

For more information, visit the project website at http://www.urbanlivinglaboratory.com or contact Dr. Michael Gould, Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center director, at 972-231-5362 or jmgould@tamu.edu. For more information about the A&M System and Texas A&M AgriLife, see http://www.tamus.edu/about/ and http://agrilife.tamu.edu/. More information about Realty Appreciation can be found at http://www.realtyappreciation.com. -30-

DALLAS - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded a $3.8 million grant to the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Dallas and others for developing, improving and commercializing drought and salinity tolerant turfgrasses.

The Dallas center, which is a part of the Texas A&M System, and four other universities will cay out a five-year study to improve drought and salinity tolerance in five species of grasses for the southern U.S., according to USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, which awarded the grant.

The turfgrass grant was among 28 totaling $46 million awarded to programs in 19 states, according to USDA.

"The specialty crop industry plays an enormously important part in American agriculture and is valued at approximately $50 billion every year," said Roger Beachy, NIFA director. "These projects will be key to providing specialty crop producers with the information and tools they need to successfully grow, process, and market safe and high-quality products."

The grant will fund a five-year collaborative project led by Dr. Ambika Chandra, the principal investigator and associate professor of turfgrass breeding and molecular genetics at the Dallas center. Scientists from North Carolina State University, Oklahoma State University, University of Georgia and University of Florida will also participate in the study.

The project will include breeding and testing of Bermudagrass, ryegrass, zoysiagrass, St. Augustine grass and seashore paspalum grass, Chandra said. Participating universities will be involved in breeding turfgrass cultivars and developing advanced experimental lines that will be tested at multiple locations throughout the southern U.S.

Such work is important because these grasses are among those commonly used at parks, golf courses, home lawns, commercial landscape and other areas, Chandra said. In addition to breeding and testing, the project focuses on education and marketing as means to share what is learned with producers and consumers.

The underlying science can eventually be applied to other plant species, said Dr. Mike Gould, the Dallas center's director of research. Improving drought and salinity tolerance of food and feed crops would allow producers to expand production onto land where traditional crop varieties haven't been produced successfully.

Turfgrass breeders and Extension specialists from each university along with plant physiologists, social scientists and economists will work together toward achieving the goal, Chandra said.

"As an agricultural commodity, turfgrass is not a food, fiber or animal feed; however, it impacts the lives of millions of people in many different ways, including their physical and mental health and social well-being," the project's abstract states. The project "will significantly increase the productivity, sustainability and the economic gain of not only the individual state turfgrass programs, but the overall turfgrass industry."

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by Dotty Woodson

Fall is the time to plant bluebonnets seeds to have bluebonnets flowers next spring. In nature, bluebonnet seeds germinate in September and/or October during the fall rains. Of course in the garden we can provide water so we are not dependent on rainfall but the small bluebonnet seedlings require the cool fall temperature and winter chilling to grow a good root system and flower in the spring.
Bluebonnet seeds are very hard. The seeds look like a dried up peas. In fact, the bluebonnet is in the legume or pea family of plants. The hard seed coat prevents water from entering the seeds for germination. In nature, seed germination is about 20 percent for the seeds dropped that spring. In nature, several years of weathering is required to soften the seed coat to assure germination. This is nature's way of assuring survival of the bluebonnet when drought or adverse growing conditions would kill all the seedlings. The Texas Highway Department, many garden clubs, Master Gardeners and other organizations have planted bluebonnet seeds for many years to assure the beautiful wildflower displays we all enjoy along the freeways.
Bluebonnets seeds are available in seed packets, by the ounce or pound from garden centers, feed stores and by mail order on the web through several Texas wildflower seed growers. Purchase or order acid scarified seed to assure a high germination rate. Acid scarified seeds are briefly soaked in acid to soften the seed coat. Properly scarified bluebonnet seeds will germinate within 10 days after planting in a moist soil.
In a garden area, select a site in full sun where the soil drains well and you do not mind the tattered look of the plants as the plants grow seeds. In non-irrigated areas, plant wildflowers where you do not need to mow until the seeds mature and drop. In a garden area, clear the area of other plants. Break up the soil. Plant the seeds in moist soil. Cover the seeds with a light cover of soil and mulch. Keep the area moist but not wet. In fields and roadsides, germination will occur in the fall when the soil moisture is correct. The wildflower seedlings will remain small until spring. When the warmth of spring arrives, the plants start growing and flower around the second week in April. After the bluebonnets flower, allow the plants to disperse seeds before mowing down or removing the plants. The seeds pods will burst open and the seeds fall to the ground several weeks after the flowers fade. Or collect and store the seeds to plant in the fall. Plant bluebonnet seeds for several consecutive years to assure a beautiful display each spring.

DALLAS - Dr. Michael Gould has been appointed the new director of the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Dallas. He will also retain his current position as director of the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Weslaco.

He will replace Dr. Frank Gilstrap, who will retire Aug. 31 after five years at the Dallas facility, which houses offices and laboratories of the Texas AgriLife Research and Texas AgriLife Extension Service agencies of the Texas A&M System.

"It is with great pleasure that I announce Dr. Gould's appointment and applaud Dr. Gilstrap's valued tenure as a researcher and lead administrator in our system," said Dr. Craig Nessler, director of AgriLife Research.

Gould has served as director of the Weslaco center since 2006, Nessler said.

"Dr. Gould shares the AgriLife Research and Extension mission of our large urban centers in regions such as the Dallas-Fort Worth area and surrounding cities and counties," Nessler said.

Gould will lead both centers in a unique collaborative relationship, Nessler said.

"The Dallas and Weslaco Centers present multiple opportunities to exploit research program synergies while building stronger, more interactive relationships between and among AgriLife Research scientists and AgriLife Extension personnel," according to a draft action plan prepared by Gould.

The plan also states the two centers have strong, complementary and mutually reinforcing core scientific platforms. They include world-class expertise in molecular biology, plant breeding, water management and conservation issues, urban horticulture, and a host of supporting technologies such as genetic transformation, micro-propagation, salt tolerance and plant physiology.

Several collaborative projects between the centers are already under way, the plan states.

The centers will be linked by state-of-the-art information technology systems, facilitating interactions and collaborations among scientists at the two centers. Day-to-day management will be facilitated by associate directors at each location, according to the plan.

Gould, a biochemist, began his career on the biochemistry and biophysics faculty at the University of Notre Dame. After 10 years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, he became director of research for the Biotechnology Research and Development Corporation in Illinois.

Gould then served as vice president of research for the U.S. Sugar Corporation in Florida. He was also vice president of NuTech Solutions Inc., a leading producer of complexity science software, which are tools used in the science of studying complex systems with many interactive components.

Gilstrap said in his retirement announcement that he enjoyed his time as director of the Dallas center and that he especially enjoyed "being a small part of the many successes and the professional growth achieved by all here at the Center."

"Five years has elapsed, a lot has been accomplished, and the center now has a strong foundation of success on which to build its future," he said. "With our collective successes, we have positioned the Dallas center for continued growth and greatly added value as we continue helping resolve issues for Texas' urban citizens and the metroplex."

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COLLEGE STATION - Everything you ever wanted to know about rainwater harvesting but didn't know to ask could well describe a new publication just released by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

The publication, "Rainwater Harvesting: System Planning" (publication number: B-6240), is 206 pages chock full of the how-to's, whys and best management practices associated with planning and installing rainwater catchment systems of all sizes, said Billy Kniffen, AgriLife Extension's state rainwater harvesting specialist at Menard.

"The manual is designed to assist designers and installers of rainwater collection systems in properly planning, sizing, installing and using rainwater for inside and outside use," Kniffen said. "The rainwater harvesting business could easily become a sideline or new career for such people as engineers, contractors, roofers and plumbers seeking added income or a complete change of work."

Kniffen said the manual is the first of its kind. It offers the technical information needed by the professional, but is also useful for the do-it-yourselfer needing guidance to install a small system. He said the manual is also designed and written to be a complete educational guide and textbook curriculum for instructors in college or industry.

"It will help those in the business consider all aspects of the construction of a system from bids and contracts to properly installing and maintaining systems," Kniffen said.

The 17-chapter spiral-bound manual has a table of contents, color photos, diagrams and extensive appendices including tables and figures, uniform plumbing code, references and answers to study exercises found in several of the book's chapters.

The manual retails for $48.50 per copy with a wholesale price for orders of 20 or more of $35 each. Order by visiting the Texas AgriLife Bookstore at: https://agrilifebookstore.org/ .

-30-

by Dotty Woodson

The hot summer temperature causes several problems for tomato plants. Blossom end rot, spider mites and no new fruit are problems for tomatoes during hot temperature days. During normal summers, these problems do not become severe until July.

On tomatoes, blossom-end rot begins as a light-colored area on the blossom end of the fruit (opposite from the stem). The affected area enlarges and darkens, sometimes involving up to half the fruit surface. On peppers, the rot is tan on the lobes of the fruit and may be mistaken for sun scald. Sun scald actually results in a bleached, white area on the fruit.

Blossom end rot is a water issue. Tomatoes grow so fast once the fruit start to develop. During the expansion of the fruit, if there is a lack of water in the soil blossom end rot occurs. Physiologically, blossom end rot is caused by lack of calcium. As roots absorb water, the nutrients plants require enter with the water. If there is a lack of water then there is a lack of calcium. The soil and water in this area have plenty of calcium so unless the tomato is growing in an artificial medium the addition of calcium is not usually necessary. To prevent blossom end rot, keep the soil evenly moist, not wet. The only way to accomplish even moisture is to water thoroughly and cover the soil with a thick layer of mulch. About 4 inches of mulch from near the base out to the drip line of the tomato should help prevent this problem. The mulch keeps the water from evaporating from the soil and moderates the soil temperature. Blossom end rot also may affect peppers, eggplant and squash.

Spider mites like tomatoes and the heat. Spider mites are tiny arachnids (spiders) that like to suck the carbohydrates out of the tomato plant leaves. Spider mites are found on the underside of the leaves because these spiders want protection from the sun and rain. The damage looks like mottling on the leaves, tiny yellow and green pattern. The sucking process removes the chlorophyll. As the spider mite population increases, the edge of the leaves will become dry and curl. Control spider mites by knocking the mites off with water by giving the tomato plant an upside down shower. Start at the bottom and wash the bottom of the leaves off daily until you have some control. The water knocks off the mites and creates an unpleasant condition for the mites because spider mites do not like water. Or use as insecticide labeled for mites on tomatoes. Insecticidal soap and plant oils work great. Remember apply these products under the leaves.

Unfortunately, once the temperature remains above 95 degrees, tomato plants will flower but not set fruit. Tomato plants are wind pollinated. If there is no wind, shake the plant or flick the flowers lightly with a figure. Since the night temperature is dropping to 80 degrees, I do not think we will see this affect right way. We usually do not see this effect until mid to late July which is when we recommend planting fall heat tolerant tomatoes.

Do not allow these problems discourage you from planting tomatoes. Plant tomato plants as early in March as possible to enjoy the wonderful taste of home grown tomatoes before these problems become severe. Plant fall tomatoes, mid to late July.

If you have any questions, email me at d-woodson@tamu.edu.

St. Augustine lawns are always slow to green up each spring but this spring many homeowners are seeing no life in part or entire St. Augustine lawns. In some cases, if there is enough live sprigs the lawn will recover but some lawns will require replacing with new sod. Each situation is different and the amount or severity of the damage will determine what action is required.

If you have enough lawn left to grow, aerate the lawn, add about ½ inch of compost and fertilize the lawn with about half the mount of fertilizer you would normally use several times during the summer. Do not use a feed and weed fertilizer. Control weeds by mowing often and pulling. Pull weeds when the soil is wet to make sure the entire root system pulls up.

The lawns most affected by freezing weather are lawns challenged by shade, swallow and/or compacted soil, short roots and insufficient water. If a freeze is expected, always water the landscape if rain has not occurred previous to the freeze. Water helps protect the plants from freezing.

Before replanting, make sure St. Augustine is the best selection for your lawn. In shade, St. Augustine is the best choice, but if too much shade is a problem, St. Augustine will struggle, thin and eventually fade away. If shade is a problem, prune trees to allow more light to enter in the morning or afternoon. This is done by removing lower branches not thinning out the canopy. Unfortunately, thinning the canopy will actually stimulate more growth if not done by an expert arborist. Consult an arborist and listen to their expert opinion. Prune only if more direct light is the result. If pruning the trees is not an option, planting a groundcover is a better use of your time and money. Select a groundcover from the many choices available to grow in this area. Drive through any older neighborhood with large shade trees or visit the Japanese Garden to see some of the wonderful ground covers planted in large areas.

One other turfgrass is available for shade areas with four or more hours of direct sunlight, Zoysia palisades. Zoysia palisades, once established, is drought tolerant, grows deep roots and is more cold tolerant than St. Augustine. The grass blades are not as wide as St. Augustine but not as narrow is Bermuda. Zoysia palisades grows into a thick lawn comfortable to walk and sit on. The runners growing into planted areas are easy to control with a string trimmer.

Click Here For a List of Turfgrass Producers

Residents must provide proof of purchase or proof of enrollment in a Rain Barrel Making workshop offered through the City of Plano or Texas AgriLife Urban Solutions Center.

Residents must provide proof of installation in the form of an invoice from the installer or a photograph of the installed rain barrel(s) at the residence.

Click here for the Rain Barrel Rebate Application.

Completed applications must be received by the City of Plano within 120 days of purchase of rain barrel(s) or within 120 days of rain barrel workshop attendance.

If required documentation has not been provided or if proof of installation cannot be determined, the rebate will be denied.

Applications must be mailed to:
Water Conservation Rebate Program
4200 W. Plano Parkway
Plano, Texas 75093

For more information, please contact the City of Plano at 972.769.4150 or visit them online. Click here for the link.
For information on where to attend rain barrel workshops, please click here.

Taught by Dr. Dotty Woodson, Extension Program Specialist - Water Resources, this class will provide participants the opportunity to construct a 55 gallon rain barrel as well as discuss installing an efficient irrigation system. The rain barrel is yours to take home!

May 15, 2010
10:00 am - 12:00 noon
River Legacy Living Science Center
703 NW Green Oaks Boulevard
Arlington, Texas 76006
For more information, please contact 817.860.6752
Click Here for a printable flyer to pass out to others you know!

June 15, 2010
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Cedar Hill Recreation Center (Topaz Room)
310 East Parkerville Road
Cedar Hill Texas, 75104
For more information, please contact Josh McLerran at 972-291-5126 ex. 2818 or josh.mclerran@cedarhilltx.com
Click Here for more information!

June 24, 2010
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Southwest Branch Library
3311 SW Green Oaks Blvd.
Arlington, Texas 76017
For more information, please contact Dustan Compton at 817.459.6628
Click Here for a printable flyer to pass out to others you know!

For more additional classes, please visit us online at: /courses

Click Here for More Information.

Easy Pollution Prevention Tips:

• Never use leaf blowers to direct yard waste into the street or storm drains.
• Sweep or blow grass clippings from your sidewalk, driveway or street and place back on the yard.
• Use grass clippings as natural mulch or compost.
• Collect, bag, and place your yard waste at the curb during bulk waste collection week.

Click Here for more information about Stormwater Pollution from the City of Dallas' Stormwater Management office.

The event's hosts set a theme tailored for typical families with common concerns: "What keeps you up at night? Issues and solutions for today's families."

The conference, organized by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn St., Dallas. A registration fee of $25 covers the event and lunch. Student registration is $15. The registration deadline is Feb. 17.

"Our Family Issues Summit aims to provide useful information to help families navigate some of the challenges in their lives," said Carrie Brazeal, an event coordinator and AgriLife Extension agent for family and consumer sciences in Collin County.

Sandra L. Mackey, director of staff wellness at the Scottish Rite Hospital, will be the keynote speaker.

Session topics include:

- "Caregiver TLC," Dr. Judith Warren, professor and special initiatives coordinator, AgriLife Extension.

- "Why Healthy Eating is Sometimes Not Enough," Evelyn Hawkins, senior consultant, Texas Education Agency Region 10 Education Service Center.

- "Resolving Your Financial Nightmares," Courtney Nickles, associate director, Texas Credit Union Foundation.

- "It Wasn't What You Said … It Was How You Said It," Mackey.

- "Fitness For Life," Dr. Erika Nassar, wellness coordinator of quality improvement programs, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas.

- "What's For Dinner Tonight? Quick and Simple Family Meals," a panel of AgriLife Extension family and consumer sciences agents who help produce "Dinner Tonight," a Web site featuring free healthy recipes at http://healthyliving.tamu.edu .

For registration information, contact Dr. Wenhsing Cheng at 214-904-3050 or wcheng@ag.tamu.edu; or Lexie McGrane, also at 214-904-3050 or amcgrane@ag.tamu.edu .

The AgriLife Extension contacts can mail registration forms, or attendees may send the registration fee with a note that includes the participant's name, address, phone number and email address. Checks should be made payable to TCE Account Number 214330-00000. The note and check should be sent to: Family Issues Summit, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, 10056 Marsh Lane, Suite B-101, Dallas, TX 75229.

Writer(s): Mike Jackson, 972-952-9232, mcjackson@ag.tamu.edu
Contact(s): Clint Wolfe, 972-952-9635, c-wolfe@tamu.edu

MCKINNEY - The City of McKinney will host a grand opening on May 30 of McKinney Green Gardens, a public demonstration of water conservation and green infrastructure in landscape design.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the gardens at Gabe Nasbitt Park, 7001 W. Eldorado Parkway, McKinney.

McKinney Green Gardens was created in an educational partnership between the city and the Texas AgriLife Research and Texas AgriLife Extension Service Urban Solutions Center in Dallas. AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension are agencies of the Texas A&M System.

The one-acre gardens were designed by the AgriLife Urban Solutions Center using research-based information and techniques, said Clint Wolfe, project coordinator with the center.

The grounds were designed to demonstrate that landscape, through proper plant selection, can be beautiful and conserve water at the same time, Wolfe said. The gardens will help educate children, homeowners, developers and landscapers about water-conservation practices.

"It's a beautifully designed collection of six small gardens that contain native plants and grasses or those well adapted to the North Texas environment," he said. "Visitors can stroll the property on winding paths or congregate in the center."

The gardens' educational program is supplemented by a free interactive Web site where visitors can view a layout of the grounds and review pictures and descriptions of plants and grasses. To see the site, visit http://McKinneyGreenGardens.tamu.edu .

Beginning at 10 a.m., McKinney Mayor Bill Whitfield will open the ceremony and introduce speakers including:

- Dr. Frank Gilstrap, AgriLife Urban Solutions Center director. - U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall, of Rockwall. - U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson, of Plano. - Jim Parks, North Texas Municipal Water District general manager. - Frank Regan, McKinney city manager. - Dr. Dotty Woodson, AgriLife Urban Solutions Center program specialist for water resources.

The McKinney Green Gardens project is a product of a public-private relationship between McKinney and the AgriLife Urban Solutions Center, Wolfe said. Forged in March 2007, the partnership combines the center's expertise and the city's desire to integrate water conservation policies and practices in an ever-growing community that imposes increasing pressures on the region's water supply.

Writer(s): Mike Jackson, 972-952-9232, mcjackson@ag.tamu.edu
Contact(s): Janet Hurley, 972-952-9213, ja-hurley@tamu.edu

HOUSTON - The Houston-area Klein Independent School District has won the annual "IPM Pride Award" for superior integrated pest management in Texas public schools.

The Arlington and Plano school districts near Dallas also earned praise, receiving honorable mention from the Southwest Technical Resource Center, based at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Dallas.

"The districts were recognized for running first-rate IPM programs that employ a variety of non-chemical pest control techniques when and where they are appropriate," said Janet Hurley, Texas AgriLife Extension Service program specialist for school integrated pest management.

Integrated pest management provides quality pest control using up-to-date knowledge of pest biology together with the least-hazardous chemicals and pest-control techniques, according to the technical resource center's stated mission.

Hurley said judges noted three main factors in Klein's success: The pest management program has full support of the district's administration; it has well-trained, dedicated leadership; and it has grown consistently.

The state mandates integrated pest management in schools, but it is difficult to do well, Hurley said.

"Klein will serve as a role model for other districts where administrators want to upgrade their IPM programs," she said.

"The health of our teachers, staff and students is important to us, so we take our IPM program very seriously," said Tim Myers, who oversees Klein's program.

The programs in the Arlington and Plano districts have progressed well in recent years, Hurley said. Program leaders in the districts have worked hard to teach administrators, teachers and other staff members about pest control and supporting health and safety in buildings.

"I truly believe their programs will continue to improve in years to come," Hurley said.

Announcement of the 2008 awards were made at a mid-April meeting of Gulf Coast Maintenance and Operations, a branch of the Texas Association of School Business Officials. Administrators of the three winning school districts will be given the awards this summer at school board meetings, Hurley said.

Dr. Dotty Woodson, Extension Program Specialist - Water Resources will be teaching this class and will provide participants the opportunity to construct a 55 gallon rain barrel as well as discuss installing an efficient irrigation system. The rain barrel is yours to take home!

Cost: $40.00 each class (covers cost of rain barrel materials)
Please click here to register and for more information on the classes!

Classes are limited, so register today!

Questions? Contact Tamaron Hunt at t-hunt@tamu.edu

Wednesday, April 22, 2009, the Urban Solutions Center will host a variety of natural resource classes including a rainwater harvesting class where you get to learn how rainwater harvesting systems work and build your own rainwater harvesting barrel to take home!

Please click here for more information on each class.

Classes are limited, so register today!

DALLAS - The Texas AgriLife Extension Service has set a Wellness in Texas Master Volunteer training for five dates in February and March, an AgriLife Extension agent said.

Training will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 27, and March 5, said Carrie Brazeal, an AgriLife Extension family and consumer sciences agent in Collin County. It will be held at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 17360 Coit Road, in Dallas, which is located between the President George Bush Turnpike and Campbell Road.

"This training would be excellent for businesses, school districts and other organizations that are looking for ways to complement or start wellness programs for employees," Brazeal said.

Applications will be accepted through Jan. 23, she said. The $60 registration fee, which includes training materials and lunch on all days, must accompany the application.

Volunteers receive 40 hours of training in the areas of health, nutrition and wellness and are expected to pay back 40 hours of service, Brazeal said.

Payback time can be spent teaching classes, coordinating activities, assisting with presentations and testing recipes, she said, and the hours can be customized according to the interests of each volunteer.

While opportunities for payback time vary greatly, volunteers are expected to work within their own organizations after training, she added.

For additional information, contact Brazeal at 972-424-2460, Ext 4233 or email c-brazeal@tamu.edu .

A Workshop manual containing dozens of publications on pasture and livestock management is provided. Breakfast and break refreshments along with two noon and two evening meals are included.

Lodging is available at several Kilgore motels (approximately 12 miles). For your convenience, their phone numbers are:

• Best Western: 903-986-1195
• Holiday Inn Express and Suites: 903-986-3533
• American Best Value Inn: 903-988-2880
• Hampton Inn: will be open January 2009

Cost is $350 per person. Enrollment is limited to 50 individuals per week.

Registration form
More information and schedule

Conference sponsors are the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Waco Chamber Commerce.

This year's location change is due to the renovations being conducted at the Waco Convention Center, according to organizers.

On Feb. 3, Don Montgomery of Luminant Energy and Barry Sterling of Skydrill Power Systems will provide an overview of the energy climate in Texas and an in-depth look at alternative energy options with applications for agricultural producers and large landowners.

Other conference topics will include fertilizer efficiency in relation to grain and cotton production costs; comprehensive vegetable gardening; legume and clover options for improved pastures; native grass blends and small acreage wildlife management.

The Family Issues Summit will feature feeding the family on a budget, cooking on a budget, and "Managing the Medicare Mania", as well as other topics.

The annual B.I.G. Conference is one of the most extensive agricultural production conferences of the year, said Rebecca Parker, AgriLife Extension regional program director for agriculture and natural resources.

"We've identified several important topics that will be of interest to everyone during these rough financial times," Parker said. "Our goal each year is to bring in the most knowledgeable speakers available who can offer homeowners, landowners, farmers and ranchers the best ideas to enhance production in this region."

Grant Teaff, former head football coach at Baylor University and executive director of the American Coaches Association, will serve as luncheon speaker on Feb. 2. Teaff is known for his inspirational speeches re-enforcing family values and leadership skills.

There will be the presentation of 10 scholarships to Blackland high school seniors during the luncheon, Parker said.

Registration for the Feb. 2 sessions will be $15 per person for the entire day. Lunch is included.

Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units, Beef Quality Assurance and Certified Crop Advisor credits will be offered for those registered.

Producers are encouraged to download the brochure at http://dallas.tamu.edu/BIG to see specific CEU allocations and sessions for Feb. 2 - 3, Parker said.

AT A GLANCE:

The following is a list of concurrent sessions scheduled Feb. 2-3 as part of the 47th Blackland Income Growth Conference at the Heart of Texas Fair Complex in Waco:

Feb. 2:

* 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.: The Family Issues Summit; pre-registration is $15 and includes lunch. Mail pre-registration to Colleen Longbotham, P.O. Box 191, Groesbeck, Texas, 76642, by Jan. 23. Make checks payable to: Family Issues Summit. Participants may also register at the door for a $20 fee.

* 9 a.m. - noon: Grain session topics include fertilizer efficiency, benefits of different cropping systems, and risk management.

* 9 a.m. - noon: Horticulture topics include comprehensive vegetable gardening presented by Tom LeRoy.

* 9 a.m. - noon: Beef topics include legume and clover options for improved pastures, managing costs of the cow herd and a marketing price outlook.

* 2-4:30 p.m.: Cotton topics include fertilizer timing and placement, cotton varieties, cotton prices in relation to grain prices and a boll weevil eradication program update.

* 2-4:30 p.m.: Forage topics include insurance and other tools for rangeland producers, establishing and managing seeded Bermuda grass varieties, soil fertility issues in the Blackland, establishment and management of improved pastures, and alternative native grass blends for forage.

* 2-4:30 p.m.: Wildlife topics include simple techniques for managing wildlife and their habitat on small acreages, as well as white-tailed deer management essentials for every ranch.

A meeting of the Blackland Cotton and Grain Producers Association at 1:30 p.m. is also scheduled.

Concurrent sessions scheduled for Feb. 3 are:

* 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.: A pesticide license re-certification training workshop will be offered for $30. Topics include on-farm environmental and economic impacts of poultry litter and dairy compost fertilizer; armyworm and grasshopper control in pastures; managing pesticide use to protect water quality; weed and brush identification and control, and pesticide laws and regulations. This workshop is appropriate for Texas Department of Agriculture license holders needing to acquire continuing education units to renew their license. There will be five continuing education units offered (one land and resource, one integrated pest management and three general). Call 254-757-5180 to register (McLennan County AgriLife Extension Office - Master Gardeners.)

* 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.: A private applicator training and testing workshop for landowners wanting a TDA applicator license for their own land will be offered. Registration is $50 and includes lunch. Information is available from the AgriLife Extension office in Coryell County at 254-865-2414. Registration can be mailed to: Lyle Zoeller, Box 129, Gatesville, Texas 76528.

* 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.: A New Era for Food Course will feature discussion on the recent changes in the economy and the implications it has for overall food security. Topics will include seeking relief for families, businesses, and the national economy; food marketing; opportunities in community-supported agriculture in central Texas; the Texas farm-to-school program; and advertising and branding for the organic and local consumer. Pre-registration for this course is $12 and $20 at the door. Registration includes materials and lunch. Call 254-968-1984 for registration information, or mail by Jan. 27 to Beth Underwood, Box T-0040, Stephenville, Texas 76402.

* 3-5p.m.: Renewable Energy Session. The free session will provide an overview of the "Energy Climate in Texas" and detail alternative energy options available. Experts will be on hand to answer energy related questions from those attending in this new field.

For a complete brochure with program sessions and speakers, visit http://dallas.tamu.edu/BIG/.

Fact Sheets

• Indoor Water Efficiency Practices
• Irrigation Check-up
• Making a Rain Barrel
• Outdoor Water Efficiency Practices
• Rain & Freeze Sensor
• Rainwater Harvesting
• Water Efficient Landscaping
• Weather Based Landscape Irrigation

Rainwater Harvesting Publication B-6153
Russell A. Persyn, Dana O. Porter and Valeen A. Silvy

A series of urban and agricultural nonpoint source best management practices were ranked by stakeholders at the previous meeting and results of that ranking process were presented for consideration. Lee Munz, a Natural Resource Specialist with the TSSWCB, said "it's good to see that the stakeholder process being used for this project is a genuine effort, and the landowners and producers who will be asked to voluntarily implement management practices are the ones making the recommendations." Potential reduction percentages for sediment and nutrients were suggested for consideration by stakeholders, and the group chose to make that a topic for further discussion at the next scheduled meeting. In addition, the floor was opened to a general discussion of stakeholder views. Community education efforts toward nonpoint source pollution and illegal dumping seemed to be viewed as quite important and key to overall reductions.

The 34,000-acre reservoir, southeast of Dallas, is the first of five reservoirs managed by the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) that is being studied. After conducting 15 years of monitoring in Cedar Creek, TRWD confirmed increasing levels of chlorophyll-a. Chlorophyll-a, an indicator of excessive algae growth, is accelerated by excessive nutrients flowing into the reservoir from the surrounding watershed. TRWD officials said they hope to avoid mandatory regulation by engaging in stakeholder-based watershed protection planning focused on holistic solutions to water pollution by examining the impacts of upstream activities.

Watershed-based planning is a relatively new approach to pollution reduction in all sizes of water bodies. The process evaluates the relationship of water quality to land use, soils, hydrology and climate within a single geographic area. "Watershed protection planning is based on the management of activities that take place within the land mass that drains into a specific body of water," said Clint Wolfe, grant and project coordinator with Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Urban Solution Center at Dallas and manager of the project. "By incorporating water quality testing and computer modeling, we are able to assess the condition of Cedar Creek Reservoir and its tributary streams to develop a specific plan of action to address the excessive pollutants."

The overall North Central Texas Water Quality Project is collaborative effort of EPA, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, TSSWCB, TCEQ, TRWD, Texas Water Resources Institute, Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Urban Solutions Center at Dallas, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Espey Consultants Inc. and Alan Plummer and Associates, Inc.

The TSSWCB awarded Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Urban Solutions Center at Dallas and Kaufman-Van Zandt SWCD a Clean Water Act, Section 319(h) grant to support efforts to improve water quality in the Cedar Creek Watershed. Utilizing grant funds, Kaufman-Van Zandt SWCD will work with local agricultural producers in developing water quality management plans (WQMPs). These WQMPs will include the best management practices identified in the watershed protection plan to voluntarily implement on agricultural lands to reduce soil and nutrient loss. Additionally, funds will be made available to landowners in the watershed as an incentive to implement best management practices. The grant funds from the TSSWCB will also be used by the Texas AgriLife Urban Solutions Center to demonstrate the effectiveness of several agricultural best management practices identified in the Cedar Creek Watershed protection plan such as the conversion of cropland to pastureland, grassed waterways and filter strip. These data will serve as reference for future modeling efforts and additional water quality projects for the State of Texas.

Contact: Dave Mayes, 979-845-2803, d-mayes@tamu.edu
Kathleen Phillips, 979-845-2872, ka-phillips@tamu.edu
Mike Jackson, 972-952-9232, mcjackson@ag.tamu.edu

Two state agricultural agencies that have served Texans for a combined 224 years are beginning 2008 with new names and renewed missions.

Texas AgriLife Research is the new name for the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, which annually conducts more than $150 million in agriculture and life sciences research in such areas as improving food and fiber production, enhancing human and animal health, and conserving water, soils, wildlife and other natural resources.

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service is the new name of Texas Cooperative Extension, which provides Texans in all 254 counties with non-biased, research-based education programs and services in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H and youth development, family and consumer sciences, and community economic development.

"We are making these changes to better communicate the life-sustaining and life-changing impacts that both AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension deliver to the people of Texas and beyond," said Dr. Mark Hussey, director of AgriLife Research.

Both agencies remain members of The Texas A&M University System, with the same commitment to their partners, clients and mission.

"But we also want to tell our story to a larger audience and a changing state population, attract new resources and build new partnerships, while strengthening our existing ones," Hussey said.

"In this way, we hope to better serve the people of this great state."

The name changes are part of a re-branding initiative launching this year after two years of study and planning. These efforts were led by former vice chancellor Dr. Elsa Murano, who was named president of Texas A&M University on Jan. 3.

"The re-branding efforts are centered on one foundational message: 'Agriculture is Life!'" Hussey said. "The central idea is that life itself is the core value that our agencies seek to sustain and enhance.

"People usually don't realize how much we all depend on agriculture and the life sciences. Discoveries and innovations in these fields directly impact the quality of the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the air we breathe, the water we drink, the homes we live in, and, more and more, even the fuels we pump into our vehicles."

"This is more than a name change, or even a new logo design," said Dr. Ed Smith, director of AgriLife Extension. "These new brands will impact not only our marketing materials and signage, but also the way we position and prioritize our programs and work with our federal, state and county partners to serve the state of Texas. It is vitally important to tell our story and that people connect our agencies to the tremendous impacts they have on the state."

One of the drivers of the re-branding initiative was a market study that showed that the work of the research and extension agencies was not widely known across the state of Texas.

"We hope to help people better understand the vital role that agriculture and life sciences still play in improving the prosperity of their lives," said Smith. "We believe that if they come to know us better, they will see that connection more clearly, even within a state population that is now 85 percent urbanized."

AgriLife Research, established in 1887, employs a team of 425 scientists on the campus of Texas A&M University and at 13 centers across the state. Research has made many innovative advances over the years, including development of the Texas 1015 onion and the TAM Mild Jalapeno pepper, which revolutionized the U.S. salsa industry.

Current major research includes the efficient use and conservation of water resources, the development of fruits and vegetables with higher levels of disease-fighting compounds, and the adaptation of crops and other agricultural products for making biofuels.

AgriLife Extension, established in 1915, provides Texans with continuing education programs and services. More than 900 professional educators team with some 90,000 volunteers to serve families, youth, communities and businesses throughout the state. Some 600,000 children annually participate in Extension's 4-H and youth development programs.