Become a County Extension Agent

An exciting, challenging and stimulating career!

Improving Lives. Improving Texas.

Become a County Extension Agent

• The name may be new, but Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has provided informal education to Texans for 100 years.

• Formerly known as Texas Cooperative Extension, the agency's name was changed in 2008 and in 2012 to better reflect the mission of service to all Texans.

Become a County Extension Agent

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is a part of the Texas A&M System

• And, in partnership with:– Texas county commissioners’ courts– the federal government through USDA – and, in collaboration with many public

and private agencies and organizations

Become a County Extension Agent

• The Texas A&M System includes:– Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service– TAMU (7), PVAMU & the Coop. Ext. Program,

Tarleton State– Texas AgriLife Research– Texas Engineering Extension Service– Texas Engineering Experiment Station– Texas Forest Service– Texas Transportation Institute– Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab– Texas A&M Health Science Center

Become a County Extension Agent

• The Vision

– To be the premier 21st Century outreach and continuing education organization in Texas responding to the needs of the people.

Become a County Extension Agent

• The Mission

– To improve the lives of people, businesses and communities across Texas and beyond through high quality, relevant education.

Become a County Extension Agent

• As a County Extension Agent, you are and educator and you will represent:– Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service– Texas A&M System– United States Department of

Agriculture

Become a County Extension Agent

• As a County Extension Agent, you will function as a collaborator with:– your county commissioners’ court– elected and appointed officials– a host of agencies that partner

with us continuously or on a short term basis

– stakeholders

Become a County Extension Agent

• Why Extension?– Extension provides research-based

information and education in each of the state's 254 counties.

– Issues are determined by local citizens through an ongoing needs assessment process that ensures the development of relevant programs.

Become a County Extension Agent

• County Extension Agents provide research and educational resources The broad categories are:– agriculture and natural resources– family and consumer science, – community and economic

development, – 4-H and youth development.

Become a County Extension Agent

Traditional Agriculture

Become a County Extension Agent

Horticulture

Become a County Extension Agent

Marine Science

Become a County Extension Agent

Family & Consumer Sciences

Become a County Extension Agent

Community Development

Become a County Extension Agent

4-H and Youth Development

Become a County Extension Agent

• Notable programs include:– Walk-Across-Texas & Do Well, Be Well with

Diabetes– Better Living for Texans & Expanded Nutrition

Program– Health Education Rural Outreach & Sports

Nutrition– Fire Ant Management & Boll Weevil Eradication– Ranch-to-Rail & Egg-to-Chick– FARMAssist (Financial & Risk Mgmt. Assistance)– Money 2000 Plus & 1st Time Home Buyers– Master Volunteer Programs & Jr. Master Gardeners– Backyard Basics

Become a County Extension Agent

• Audiences include:– Families and individuals– 4-H club members and other youth– Older adults– Educational, civic and other

organizations– Extension support groups– Farmers and ranchers– Web brousers and mass media clientele– Anyone, everyone!

Become a County Extension Agent

• Educational methods include:– Home and commercial visits– Result demonstrations and applied research– Mass media - newspaper, television, radio– Technology - TTVN, centras,

teleconferencing– Short courses, workshops and clinics– Email, letters, leaflets and newsletters– Exhibits and audio/visual presentations – Websites and interactive video

Become a County Extension Agent

• The Extension benefits:– Competitive salary– Continued professional growth &

opportunities– Diversity in work assignments– Annual leave, sick leave and paid

holidays– Group insurance and long term care– State workers’ compensation– Texas teachers retirement and SSI

Become a County Extension Agent

• Qualifications:– Bachelor’s degree required/Masters preferred– GPA of 2.5+ on a 4.0 scale– Self-starter, motivator – Desire to work with people– Ability to cooperate as a team member– Desire to grow as an Extension professional– Character and personality to merit public trust– Neat, well groomed professional appearance

Become a County Extension Agent

Remember!• Educational programs of Texas A&M AgriLife

Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age or national origin.

• The Texas A&M System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners’ Courts of Texas Cooperating.

• Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as amended, and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the USDA, Douglas Steele, Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, The Texas A&M System

Become a County Extension Agent

• If you would like to know more about a challenging, rewarding career as a county Extension Agent, contact:– Web: http://extensionemployees.tamu.edu

http://greatjobs.tamu.edu – Write: Jennifer Humphries, Chief Human Resources

Officer 600 John Kimbrough Blvd. , 2147 TAMUTexas A&M University,

College Station, TX 77843-2147– Email: jmhumphries@ag.tamu.edu– Phone: 979.458.7810

Become a County Extension Agent

Questions?

Edited by: Vincent Mannino,County Extension Director – Fort Bend Co.