Caldwell-Travis SWCD

The Caldwell-Travis Soil and Water Conservation District will meet in a regular session on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 10:00 AM. Visit our website to view the meeting notice and location information.
https://bit.ly/CTSWCD304

🌾📜 The proposed 2026 Farm Bill includes a wide range of updates aimed at supporting farmers, ranchers, and rural communities across the country. Key provisions focus on strengthening conservation programs, improving access to agricultural credit, expanding research and extension efforts, and supporting long-term investments in soil health, water conservation, and precision agriculture technologies.

The bill would also continue support for programs like EQIP, CSP, and CRP while encouraging innovation and stewardship practices that help keep American agriculture productive and resilient for future generations. Read more: https://www.agproud.com/articles/63454-whats-in-the-2026-farm-bill

Attention Caldwell County landowners: do feral hogs remain on your problem list? Check out our FREE Feral Hog Trap Loan Program. All the details are on our website: https://sites.google.com/swcd.texas.gov/caldwelltravis

🐄🌱 Innovation and stewardship continue to shape the future of Texas agriculture. Nors Cattle Co. has partnered with USDA NRCS to implement conservation practices that improve grazing management, protect natural resources, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of their ranching operation.

Their story highlights how collaboration, forward-thinking management, and conservation planning can help working lands remain productive while supporting healthy soil, water resources, and wildlife habitat for future generations. Read more: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/texas/news/nors-cattle-co-a-legacy-of-innovation-and-collaboration-with-nrcs

🌱🌾 Thinking about trying cover crops? Experts recommend starting small and giving them time to work. The “Take 5” approach encourages producers to try cover crops on just 5 acres for 5 years to better understand the long-term benefits to soil health, moisture retention, erosion control, and overall resilience.

Like any conservation practice, success comes with patience, good planning, and learning what works best for your operation. Healthy soil is built over time and cover crops can be an important tool in that process. Learn more:

How to go slow and steady when testing cover crops Cover crops can be valuable tools in a farming operation, but if you've never used them, you may not want to go all in. Learn how to ease into using them.

🌱💧 Texas agricultural producers now have new opportunities to receive technical assistance and cost-share funding through the Texas Conservation and Sustainability Initiative (TCSI). Supported by USDA funding and delivered through a partnership between the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the program helps producers implement conservation practices that improve soil health, water management, and long-term sustainability.

Eligible producers across Texas may qualify for up to $100,000 in cost-share assistance for practices such as cover crops, prescribed grazing, reduced tillage, forest management, and perennial forage establishment. The initiative supports a wide range of agricultural operations and encourages stewardship practices that strengthen working lands for future generations. Learn more:

Home Page - Texas Conservation & Sustainability Initiative The Texas Climate-Smart Initiative is a five-year pilot project to foster climate-smart agriculture for all major commodities in Texas and create market opportunities for the commodities.

The Caldwell-Travis Soil and Water Conservation District will meet in a special session on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 8:30 AM. Visit our website to view the meeting notice and location information.
https://bit.ly/CTSWCD304

🐗🌾 Feral pigs continue to create major challenges for Texas landowners, damaging crops, pastures, water resources, and wildlife habitat across the state. This helpful update from Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute explains current laws and regulations while highlighting the importance of safe, coordinated management efforts to reduce impacts on working lands and natural resources.

Understanding the tools and regulations available can help producers and landowners better protect Texas farms, ranches, and ecosystems for the future. Read more: https://nri.tamu.edu/blog/2026/april/an-update-on-feral-pig-laws-and-regulations-in-texas/

Read the latest from the Texas Agriculture Law blog...

Questions from Tiffany's Desk: Can a Texas City Ban or Limit Chickens? - Texas Agriculture Law Question: I must have received this question ten times in the last month via phone calls and emails from all across the state. Can a Texas city enforce a ban or a limit on the number of chickens residents are allowed to have at their residence? Answer: We do not know. There has not been a court that...

Upcoming local event!

SAVE THE DATE! If you want to learn about how to keep you Trees, Turfgrass, and Gardens healthy this spring and summer, we are hosting a workshop on May 28th at the Luling Foundation Farm! Call the office or email us to RSVP for this event!