Cedar Creek Watershed sets agricultural workshop
Special to The Monitor
KAUFMAN–Officials with Texas AgriLife Extension, Texas AgriLife Research, the USDA-NRCS, and the Kaufman- Van Zandt Soil and Water Conservation District will conduct a free full-day workshop in Able Springs on Friday, Feb. 11.
The workshop will take place at the Able Springs Fire Department, located eight miles north of Terrell at 30000 FM 429 North.
Producers within Kaufman, Van Zandt, Rockwall, and Henderson County are invited to engage in presentations on soil fertility, pastureland erosion and nutrient conservation practices, brush control, riparian health and feral hog abatement.
The workshop will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a barbecue lunch compliments of the North Central Texas Water Quality Project.
The Texas Department of Agriculture has approved five hours of CEUs for private pesticide applicators and 5.5 hours of CEUs for Certified Crop Advisors.
“The future of water quality for Cedar Creek Lake depends on the stewardship of the watershed agricultural producers,” said North Central Texas Water Quality Project Watershed Coordinator, David Waidler.
“This workshop will assist with informing local farmers and ranchers of how we can work together.”
This workshop is made possible with funding from the USDA-NRCS, as well as a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) nonpoint source grant awarded to the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center-Dallas by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Other key partners supporting watershed protection efforts include Tarrant Regional Water District and the Kaufman County Soil and Water Conservation District. The workshop is also supported by the Kaufman County Livestock and Forage Committee.
For more information on the meeting and to register for the event please contact the Kaufman County AgriLife Extension Office at (972) 932-9069 or email sbburden@ag.tamu.edu.

‘All You Can Eat’ fish fry set Feb. 4
Special to The Monitor
GUN BARREL CITY–The Knights of Columbus and St. Jude Catholic Church will host an “All You Can Eat” fish fry to be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday Feb. 4, at the St. Jude Catholic Church located on Luther Lane behind Pizza Hut in Gun Barrel City.
The fare includes catfish, French fries, drink and home baked goodies as long as they last.
The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children 6-12 and younger children eat free.
All profits will benefit local state and national charities.

Rotarians hear advantages of new Education Foundation
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
GUN BARREL CITY–The Mabank Education Foundation has already begun its work, having presented seven grants to teachers and projects at three Mabank Independent School District campuses.
Foundation board member Andrea Pickens explained the concept behind the 501(c)(3) non-profit charity to members of the Rotary Club of Cedar Creek Lake during the club’s weekly luncheon Friday.

Monitor Photo/Barbara Gartman
The Rotary Club of Cedar Creek Lake welcomes two new members with an installation ceremony at the club’s weekly luncheon Friday. Pictured are (from left) new member Gary Johnson with sponsor Lew Talbot, Rotary president Dale Molander, and new member Michael Washington with sponsor Lee Montgomery.
The grants help teachers with study projects, by providing funds for things the school district might not be able to purchase, Pickens explained.

Monitor Photo/Barbara Gartman
Rotarian Andrea Pickens, a member of the Mabank Education Foundation Board, outlines duties and goals of the foundation during the club’s weekly luncheon Friday.

“The next call for grant applications is in March, with the awarding to take place in April for the fall semester,” she said.
Another advantage lies with the donors themselves, she said.
Donations to the school always go into the general fund, but donations to the Foundation can be designated for specific items or needs, Pickens said.
“The theme for the foundation is, ‘Enriching Education From the Foundation Up,’” she added.
So far, the largest donations have come from the students themselves.
Proceeds from last September’s annual Spirit Week fund-raiser went to the Mabank Education Foundation.
“They presented the Foundation with $50,000,” Pickens explained.
In other business, Rotarians:
• heard the next book giveaway is at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, at Kemp Primary School.
• welcomed two new members, Gary Johnson and Michael Washington.