District 7 announces new AgriLife Extension agent hires

Writer: Susan Himes, 325-657-7315, [email protected] 

SAN ANGELO – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s District 7 recently welcomed four new agents and assistant agents to their ranks. District 7 is the agency’s West Central Texas district and serves a 23-county area.

MEYER

Hayley Meyer started Dec. 17 as a 4-H and youth development agent for Tom Green County. She was involved in 4-H throughout her college career, making her a natural fit to join District 7, administrators said.

Meyer recently earned her master’s degree in agricultural leadership, education and communications from Texas A&M University. She also earned her bachelor’s degree in agricultural leadership and development there.

While a graduate assistant, Meyer served as the Texas contact for all participants attending the Western National 4-H Roundup and assisted with the creation of the Agriculture Identification Contest for the State Fair of Texas in 2017 and 2018. She also coordinated the Texas delegation to the National 4-H Conference in Washington D.C. as well as for the 2018 National Congress in Atlanta.

While working on her undergraduate degree, Meyer was a student technician for Texas A&M AgriLife, assisting with the 2015 and 2016 Texas 4-H Roundup. Her duties included managing budgets and assisting with the Texas delegations that qualified to attend different National 4-H Contests.

Meyer also has experience judging shows. In 2017, she judged the public speaking contest at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. That same year she served as a judge for the Consumer Decision Making contest at the 2017 Western National Roundup. She later judged the Fashion Revue Contest at the 2018 Western National Roundup.

GROTE

Holly Grote started Jan. 9 as an AgriLife Extension assistant for 4-H and agriculture and natural resources in Taylor County. She graduated this past summer from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation management, with an emphasis in natural resources.  

Grote’s experience includes working as a camp counselor at the Texas 4-H Conference Center in Brownwood. Grote herself was a member of 4-H and served as a junior leader for two years.

“I wanted to be a part of the AgriLife team because as a child in 4-H for 10 years, I had a lot of very influential adults in my life who were there to mentor me through the program,” Grote said. “I’m excited about the opportunity to give the same guidance and encouragement to the youth in my county.”

Grote worked for the City of Kearney in the parks and recreation department and was named their Recreation Major of the Year. She was responsible for grounds maintenance and served as the Nature Barn manager.

Grote cared for the animals and educated the public on various species and their care. She was awarded the Nebraska Parks Recreation and Parks Association scholarship, which recognizes those who display leadership, altruism and knowledge.

“As a people person, I believe strongly in investing my time getting to know people in Taylor County by building new relationships with the youth and adults,” Grote said. “In my time here in Taylor County, a goal of mine is to gather as much knowledge as possible about AgriLife Extension and build strong relationships.”

MILES

Kim Miles has served as an AgriLife Extension county agent for over 21 years. Most recently, Miles served in Jones County before transitioning to her new position as a family and community health agent for Taylor County on Jan.15.

In her past positions, Miles was responsible for developing programs in the areas of child and family studies, health, weight management, nutrition, food safety and leadership. She has served as a manager of 4-H and youth development programs in both rural and urban settings.

“I truly believe in the mission of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and strive to provide high-quality, relevant education to improve the lives of the clientele I work with on a daily basis,” Miles said.

In her past roles, Miles mentored six new-hire AgriLife Extension agents and supervised family and consumer science interns and three Better Living for Texans paraprofessionals.

Miles received her master’s degree in family studies from Texas Women’s University and her bachelor’s degree in human sciences education from Tarleton State University, cum laude.

WHITE

Haley White joined the AgriLife Extension office in McCulloch County Jan. 2 as an extension assistant, family and community health and 4-H. She has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural services and development from Tarleton State University.            

White worked as an AgriLife Extension intern for Guadalupe County last year and has performed goat and lamb validation for Hays County. She interned at the Larimer County Fair’s Critter Fitter program as well as providing guided livestock tours as part of the MooU program. She has also worked at Cracker Dog Ranch, where she prepared livestock for buyers and shows.

White said as a youth she was heavily involved in both 4-H and FFA. She served as the West San Marcos 4-H president and county council president and was the Wimberley FFA treasurer.  White participated in the District 10 4-H leadership lab and the Hays County 4-H Water Fair.

“I grew up within the 4-H program and volunteering with various AgriLife programs,” White said. “I saw firsthand the impact it made within my own childhood, and I knew early on I wanted to be a part of the AgriLife family. In my role, I hope to strengthen the involvement within the 4-H program as well as the FCH programs within the county. “

White’s volunteer work includes assisting with the West San Marcos 4-H Annual Dove Hunt and the Rodeo Austin Junior Leaders Committee.