Whiteley hired to serve as AgriLife Extension agent in Hansford County

Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, [email protected]
Contact: Matt Whiteley, 806-659-4130, [email protected]

SPEARMAN – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has hired Matt Whiteley as the agriculture and natural resources agent for Hansford County, effective April 10.

Whiteley will spend his first month going through the First Step training program in Roberts County.

“Matt will make an excellent member of the team in District 1,” said Brandon Dukes, AgriLife Extension district administrator in Amarillo. “His balance of teaching youth and on-farm experience make him a great fit for Hansford County.”

Dukes said Whiteley increased participation in his program as an agricultural science instructor, and “he will bring that same level of enthusiasm to both the adult and youth sides of AgriLife Extension programming.”

Whiteley, a native of Sunray, was involved in FFA in high school. He earned his bachelor’s degree from West Texas A&M University, and is Texas State Board of Education certified in agricultural sciences.

He spent five years as an agricultural sciences teacher in the Hartley and Spearman school systems before working most recently as a farmer and herd manager. He also has been a welding instructor for the past three years at Frank Phillips Community College in Borger.

“I’m looking forward to spending time in the fields with producers in Hansford County to determine what their needs are and make sure we offer programming to address those needs,” Whiteley said.

He also said he is interested in working with community development and youth programs throughout the county.