Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University’s SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.
Dr. Allen Owings, professor emeritus of horticulture at the Louisiana State University AgCenter, will present “Common Landscape Shrubs: Varieties and Keys to Success.”
Owings has provided statewide extension service programming for nursery growers, landscapers and garden centers. He earned the title of professor emeritus following retirement after 26 years of service. Currently, he works as a senior horticulturalist at Bracy’s Nursery in Amite, Louisiana, and horticulturalist at Clegg’s Nursery in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In those roles, Owings assists in education, outreach, social media and new plant production.
Owings earned a bachelor’s degree in plant science from Southeastern Louisiana University and a master’s degree in horticulture from LSU. He later earned a doctoral degree in horticulture from Mississippi State University. He has earned the Achievement and Distinguished Service Awards from the Louisiana and national agricultural county agents associations. He also has been recognized for contributions to the multi-state efforts of the Texas A&M University Earth-Kind Landscaping program.
The Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series is held the second Thursday of each month and includes a rare plant raffle after the program. The lecture is free and open to the public, but donations to the lecture series fund are always appreciated.
Parking is available at the PNPC, 2900 Raguet St., or Raguet Elementary School, 2708 Raguet St.
For more information, email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.
ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY
Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 36 academic facilities, nine residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.