Rosson appointed Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service interim director

Writer/Media Contact: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, [email protected]

COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Parr Rosson has been appointed interim director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents during its meeting Thursday at Prairie View University.

Rosson is head of the department of agricultural economics at Texas A&M University in College Station and an AgriLife Extension economist.

“We are pleased to have Dr. Rosson leading AgriLife Extension, furthering the agency’s  education programming to consumers, agricultural producers and extending our outreach with industry stakeholders across Texas,” said Dr. Patrick Stover, vice chancellor of agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M.

Stover said a national search will begin for an agency director. The interim appointment follows the stepping down of former agency director Dr. Doug Steele, who accepted a position as director of International Outreach and Education with the Norman E. Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture at Texas A&M.

Rosson has an extensive background in AgriLife Extension, serving as an agency economist and previously as director of the Center for North American Studies at Texas A&M for more than two decades focusing on international trade and marketing.

“I’d like to thank the Board of Regents, Chancellor John Sharp and Vice Chancellor Stover for the opportunity to serve in this key role,” Rosson said. “I’m humbled to be considered, honored to be chosen and eager to begin. I also want to thank the faculty, staff and students in the department for their support, loyalty and hard work.”

As head of agricultural economics, Rosson leads more than 150 faculty and staff offering degrees in agribusiness and minors in sales, entrepreneurship and personal financial planning.

Rosson’s most recent AgriLife Extension programming efforts have focused on exporting agricultural products to Cuba and other emerging markets, as well as the economic impacts of immigrant labor and invasive species. Much of this work has been provided to U.S. Congressional committees, state officials, commodity associations and farm organization leadership.

His applied research efforts are directed to support his AgriLife Extension programs. Rosson also has taught upper-level undergraduate courses – international trade and agriculture and international agribusiness marketing.

Rosson previously taught two masters level courses at Universidad del Valle de Guatemala in applied economics and business administration. He has also co-authored a textbook, An Introduction to Agricultural Economics. The book is now in its fifth edition and has been adopted by 68 institutions in the U.S. and other countries.

Rosson holds a bachelor’s degree in agronomy, plus master’s and doctoral degrees in agricultural economics, all from Texas A&M.