If you need help growing plants or raising livestock, Kelly Tarla, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for Burnet County, is here to help. Photo by Mark Stracke
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has assisted farmers and communities since 1915 with the science of growing crops and raising livestock. First known as the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, it was formed by the Texas Legislature to help implement Texas A&M’s research findings on the ground. The vision of the service is to “help Texans better their lives.”
The state’s 250 extension agents work with 96,794 volunteers and a $164 million operation budget, which includes county funds.
The goal is to:
- provide programs, tools, and other resources to teach the latest improvements in agriculture and food production;
- protect the environment;
- advance health practices;
- and educate communities, especially youth.
Here’s just a little of what your county extension agent can do for you:
- Help submit soil samples for analysis at the Texas A&M AgriLife Center in College Station
- Recommend vegetables, flowers, grasses, and trees that have the best chance to succeed on your land
- Provide a guide for success for whatever you’re growing
- Help treat agriculture diseases
- Solve agriculture problems you are having
