By Roberta Tolan
SUN Columnist
FireWise of Southwest Colorado and Colorado State University Extension Archuleta County are sponsoring a free Home Ignition Zone and Defensible Space Workshop for the public on Friday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m.-noon in Loma Linda Subdivision, U.S. 84 south of Pagosa Springs.
Attendees will see how a wildfire safety home inspection is done and how to develop a defensible space around their home using Colorado State Forest Service guidelines.
Anyone concerned about how to protect their home from the risk of wildfire is encouraged to attend.
For more information on this workshop, contact Bill Trimarco at archuletafirewise@gmail.com or 264-0430.
For detailed information on creating a wildfire-defensible zone around your home, visit the following web sites:
• Colorado State Forest Service: www.csfs.colostate.edu.
• Colorado State University Extension: www.ext.colostate.edu/fire.
• FireWise of Southwest Colorado: www.southwestcoloradofires.org.
Harvesting, storing garden produce
Our summer gardening class was so popular that we have scheduled a half-day follow-up program on Thursday, Aug. 29, from 9 a.m.–noon at the Extension office, 344 U.S. 84 in Pagosa Springs.
This class will focus on when and how to properly harvest and store garden-grown produce to maximize freshness.
Darrin Parmenter, horticulture extension agent from La Plata County, will conduct this timely workshop. All home gardeners, small-scale vegetable growers and community gardeners are encouraged to attend.
Price is $10.
Please pre-register by calling the Extension office at 264-5931 by Monday, Aug. 26.
Free wood chips
The Archuleta County Fair is over for another year and it was a great success.
We are cleaning up the fairgrounds and have a large pile of woodchips available to county residents, free of charge. Just bring your truck to the fairgrounds on U.S. 84 in Pagosa Springs and load it up.
If you have any questions, contact the Extension office at 264-5931.
Calendar
Aug. 12 — 4-H Livestock Committee meeting, 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 13 — Farm Bureau meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 19 — Backcountry Horseman meeting, 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 21 — Mountain High Garden Club meeting, 10 a.m.
Aug. 21 — Western Heritage Committee meeting, 6 p.m.
Aug. 22 — Colorado Master Gardeners potluck, 6 p.m.
Colorado State University Extension provides science based information on youth development (4-H), agriculture and natural resources, horticulture, family and consumer sciences and community development. Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.