Carter named AgriLife Extension agent in Briscoe County
Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Mason Carter, 806-823-2522, mason.carter@ag.tamu.edu
SILVERTON – Mason Carter started work Aug. 1 as the new Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agriculture and natural resources agent for Briscoe County.
“Mason will be a great addition to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension team,” said Brandon Dukes, AgriLife Extension district administrator in Amarillo. “His background in beef cattle production, coupled with his educational experiences at Tarleton State University, make him a great fit for Briscoe County.”
Carter will go through the agency’s First-Step training program in Hall County this month.
Carter was raised on a cattle ranch near Killeen and worked there before and after earning his bachelor’s degree in animal science and master’s degree in agriculture from Tarleton State.
While he will bring those strengths to the new job, he said his focus will initially be on youth programs, adding he wants to make sure 4-H’ers have new options to consider as well as continued strength in the areas of shooting sports and judging teams.
“But I want to do more than just offer the programs,” Carter said. “I hope to bring energy and involvement to the youth. I want to make sure this office is open for them to come ask questions, but also keep the lines of communication open for when they need help in other areas or interests in their lives.
“I want to make sure those kids also have an opportunity to strengthen their social skills, leadership skills and communication skills so that when they enter college and the professional world, they have those assets to rely on.”
Carter said he didn’t have an extensive background in 4-H himself, but he knows and realizes what he missed out on and wants to make sure the youth of Briscoe County don’t miss out on opportunities and skills that 4-H is known to offer.
In addition to the youth, Carter said he intends to make sure producers, whether on the ranch or the farm, have access to the latest information and technology to allow them to be as profitable as possible.
He said he also plans to offer outreach to the community wherever they might need his help, but particularly in offering more water conservation information and programming.
