Summer Range Management Course on Wheels for County Agricultural Agents in Texas

Abstract

T HE fourth annual summer range management course for Texas county agricultural agents closed on July 10, 1950. The class of 29 students t’old the instructors their college course was one of the best they had ever taken. They had just finished a course which required of them many hours of study, preparation of field notes, herbarium development, 1600 miles of travel, and the inspection of 22 ranches over a period of approximately three weeks. Why did this field course, like the three previous ones, appeal to these experienced men although several of the group had taken no class work for a number of years? The answer may in part be found in the following: First, the county agents had a real look at range problems both from the distance and close-up. They were convinced that something concrete must be done to save one of the largest and most important crops of Texas, namely the native grasses and forbs. Second, they recognized that text book information and field application can be correlated. Third, that the principles and practices of range management taught could in a large measure apply to most of the counties of the state although these are highly diversified in climate and native forage. Fourth, the agents also realized they did not have the answers for the many questions that ranchmen asked . them concerning range management. Fifth, these men discovered that it was real fun to study and learn in an atmosphere of challenge. The challenge came not only from the members of the class but each challenged himself to increase his efficiency and knowledge from day to day. The latter point was of considerable interest to the instructors because a number of the members of each course were in their forties and a few in their early fifties. This proved that age is no barrier to technical learning. At the request of Vice-Director J. D. Prewit of the Extension Service, arrangements to teach the summer field range course were made with the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, College Station, Texas during the spring semester of 1947. The Extension Service appointed a committee composed of district agricultural agents to work out with members of the Range and Forestry staff the overall program for the field course. As a result, the district agents were held responsible for transportation, registration and camp facilities, while the instruction was made the responsibility of the Department of Range and Forestry. Dr. 0. E. Sperry and the writer prepared a syllabus of the course. It was approved by the College Administration and the first range management course for county agricultural agents began on June 22, 1947 at Agricultural Substation No. 14 near Sonora, Texas. This Substation is located in the approximate center of the Edwards Plateau region. Twenty-six agents representing counties rather widely distributed over the State reported for class. During the first meeting, the county agents, under