Young Soil and Water Conservation District

02/27/2026

Spring prep starts now 🌱🌸

Here are your March Gardening Tasks to help you get a jump on the season—bed prep, cold crops, indoor seed-starting, and early pruning. Save this guide for your next garden walk, and tell us in the comments: what are you planting first this year? 👇🌿

02/27/2026

Gardening is not only beneficial for the environment, but it also has positive effects on our mental and physical health. The smell of soil has been shown to increase serotonin, helping to boost your mood and reduce stress. Digging in the dirt, with the soil under your fingernails, is also good for your gut health, proving that gardening connects mind, body, and nature in a unique way.

Additionally, gardening can help reduce symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, and depression, offering a therapeutic experience that brings us closer to the earth. The simple act of planting and nurturing life can improve self-esteem and provide a sense of accomplishment as you watch your garden grow.

Gardening is more than just a hobby; it’s a path to a happier, healthier life. Whether you’re tending to flowers or growing your own food, the benefits are undeniable. 🌻🌱

02/02/2026

UPDATE: Commissioner Sid Miller Continues to Urge Vigilance Against Pasture Mealybug

Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture continue to urge ranchers, hay producers, and landowners to remain vigilant as the invasive pasture mealybug (Helicococcus summervillei) spreads across Texas pastures. Novel to North America, this destructive pest is already damaging grasses in multiple counties.

The LSU AgCenter has also confirmed ongoing infestations in Louisiana sugarcane fields, highlighting that at least two U.S. states are now contending with this emerging threat.

Pasture mealybugs feed at the soil level, causing yellowing, stunted growth, and dieback in bermudagrass, bahiagrass, Johnsongrass, St. Augustine, bluestem species, and more.

“This is a completely new pest to our continent, and Texas is once again on the front lines," Commissioner Miller said. "We need every producer’s eyes on the ground. If you see something off, report it. TDA is working diligently with our federal and state partners to determine how to best combat this novel threat and stop it in its tracks.”

Counties with confirmed infestations include:
Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, Refugio, Calhoun, Victoria, Goliad, DeWitt, Lavaca, Fayette, Jackson, Matagorda, Brazoria, Galveston, Wharton, Colorado, Austin, Washington, Burleson, Brazos, and Robertson.

Producers should look for:
• Yellow, purple, or red foliage
• Poor root growth or dieback from leaf tips
• Fuzzy white insects on blades, stems, soil surfaces, or under debris/cow patties

Take action:
• Scout pastures regularly
• Report suspicious infestations to 1‑800‑TELL‑TDA

Note: No pesticide has been confirmed effective yet. Ongoing joint discussion and research collaboration between federal and state agencies aim to discover solutions.

Early detection is critical. The TDA continues to urge producers to monitor their pastures closely to protect Texas grazing lands.

01/06/2026

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) today urged Texans to remain vigilant as unsolicited packages containing unidentified seeds continue to arrive at their doorsteps. Since February 2025, TDA has collected seed deliveries at 109 locations across the Lone Star State, totaling 1,101 packs of unsolicited seeds. While small in appearance, these packages represent a serious and ongoing threat to the nation’s agricultural biosecurity.

“At a glance, this might seem like a small problem, but this is serious business,” said Commissioner Miller. “The possible introduction of an invasive species to the state via these seeds poses real risks to Texas families and the agriculture industry. We need everyone to report these packages when they arrive so the contents may be gathered and disposed of properly.”

Read the full press release here: https://texasagriculture.gov/News-Events/Article/10730/Commissioner-Miller-Warns-Texas-as-China-Mystery-Seed-Package-Deliveries-Contin

12/01/2025

Thanksgiving is over! We've got our Christmas tree 🎄 up!

12/01/2025

The Young SWCD is now taking orders for windbreaker tree seedlings. These seedlings will be delivered the week of February 26, 2026 with an order deadline of February 23, 2026. For order form email me at [email protected] or stop by the office, 1591 380 By-Pass, Graham… between 9-12 noon, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday…

11/12/2025

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today applauded the vote by the United States Senate to advance legislation ending the federal government shutdown and called for the United States House of Representatives to swiftly cast its vote so federal services can resume without further delay.

“The Senate has finally done its part. They voted to move forward on reopening the government, restoring funding, and getting aid back on track for agriculture and rural America. But we’re not done yet. The House needs to follow suit and soon,” Commissioner Miller said. “From our family farms in Texas to our ranches that feed the nation, further delay means lost income, stalled production, and frustrated producers. This Schumer shutdown must not keep rural America waiting any longer.”

Miller commended President Donald Trump and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins for supporting efforts to prioritize essential services and for underscoring the importance of American agriculture in the reopening plan. “President Trump has shown time and again that he’s willing to stand up for the men and women who put food on the table,” Miller said.

Miller concluded, “Texas stands ready to push American agriculture ahead. I’m also encouraged to see that this measure includes an extension of the Farm Bill, ensuring our vital agricultural and nutrition programs continue to operate while Congress works toward a long-term reauthorization. This is a big step forward, but it is up to the House now to get us across the finish line. Let’s end this shutdown for Texas and extend the farm bill, for rural America, and for the nation.”

11/12/2025

Trump is urging the DOJ to investigate big meatpacking companies for alleged price fixing, as beef costs rise and cattle prices fall.

06/06/2025

God bless farmers.

03/17/2025

REMINDER… deadline to RSVP is Tuesday April 15th… get your name on the list if you plan on attending.

The Young Soil and Water Conservation District will be hosting a W**d and Brush Control Field Day on April 23, 2025. CEU’s offered.
Please see attached flyer….

02/01/2025

10/15/2024

The Young Soil and Water Conservation District is now taking orders for windbreak seedling purchases. The container species available come in multiples of 25 seedlings in plastic containers (10 cubic inch root vol., 6-12 inch top). These are $70 for 25 seedlings. Bareroot species are $55 for 25. Orders can not be mixed or split up.

Anyone interested in ordering should contact Chawn Jobe, Young SWCD clerk at 940-549-0422 ext 3 or come by the office at
1591 380 By-Pass in Graham between 9am and noon weekdays…. You can also request an order form by email, [email protected]. The deadline to place your order is February 21, 2025 with a delivery in the week of February 24, 2025

Please place your orders now as availability is not guaranteed.