Thursday, April 17, 1997

Haskell County gets top notch Extension agent

By J.T. SMITH / Farm Editor

Greg Kaase has been named county agent for agriculture for the Haskell County Extension Service.

He begins his new job June 2. He brings with him an outstanding record with the Extension Service.

A native of Thrall, Kaase received his bachelor of science degree in animal science in 1991 and his master's in agriculture education in 1995 from Texas A&M University.

He has Extension experience in Milam County and has worked as County Extension Agent for the 4-H program in Brazos County since 1994. He has given excellent leadership in 4-H and the youth development area in both counties.

In Brazos County, he has been providing overall leadership and coordination to the Extension horse committee, livestock show, and 4-H Adult Leaders.

His production ag experience includes soil testing, clover variety tours, hay shows, and beef programs, along with result demonstrations in Taylor, Texas. He had a super record with the Texas A&M livestock judging teams and was awarded several scholarships, including the S.A.L.E. Graduate Fellowship, Academic Excellence awards, Scholarship and Stiles Farm Foundation Scholarship - to cite a few.

Greg is looking forward to working with Haskell County people and Lou Gilly, Haskell County Extension agent for family and consumer sciences.

What's more - Greg and his wife, Amy, are expecting their first child in May. Good news for the Haskell County population!

Boll weevil office

The Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation state office in Abilene reports that it is being flooded with miscommunication regarding a pending Texas Supreme Court decision.

The officials still await a decision, based on a Nov. 20, 1996, Supreme Court hearing. Meanwhile, they also want to clear up talk about the alleged receipt of a USDA grant totaling more than $30 million.

The foundation explains that in fiscal year 1997, USDA appropriations provide authority for $34 million in loan authority across the Cotton Belt for boll weevil eradication work. But the loans <I>will not<I> be available until mid-June 1997.

And even if loans should be approved earlier, our state of Texas still will not be eligible until a Texas Supreme Court decision is rendered.

At this time, no loans have been apportioned to the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Program as a result of the congressional initiative in 1997.

And no Texas Supreme Court decision has been rendered.