Brooks tapped to lead AgriLife Extension in the Panhandle region
Keeping agriculture at forefront, positive attitude will be his priorities
Josh Brooks is the new Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service district administrator for District 1, effective April 1. He has been the agricultural and natural resources agent for Hall County for the past 18 years and, in his new role, replaces Brandon Dukes.
As district administrator, Brooks will be headquartered at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Amarillo. He will be responsible for all administrative duties in the 22-county district. He will serve as the immediate supervisor to about 40 agents in the areas of agricultural and natural resources, family and community health, and 4-H youth development.
“Josh’s experience in AgriLife Extension and his knowledge of the Texas Panhandle make him an outstanding addition to the leadership team in the North Region,” said Jeff Ripley, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension associate director – county operations, Bryan-College Station. “We are excited to see the direction that Josh will take the agency in that area, and the relationships that he will build in support of our county agents.”
Years of agency involvement
A native of Silverton, Brooks said he got his introduction to AgriLife Extension as an active member of 4-H and FFA, where he showed livestock and participated in public speaking and the food show.
“I did everything 4-H,” he said.
After earning his master’s degree from Tarleton State University and his bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University, Brooks joined AgriLife Extension in 1999 as an assistant county agent in Navarro County. In 2001, he took the 4-H and youth development agent position in Wise County, and in 2003 he moved to Hall County as the agriculture and natural resource county agent.
He has been an active member of the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association, serving on committees for state meeting planning, the state youth program, the state horse show and animal industries. He also has served on the Texas Association of Extension 4-H Agents state committees for 4-H record book judging, Round Up Share The Fun Contest and the Texas 4-H/FFA Quality Counts Program curriculum development.
Brooks was a member of the award-winning Food Insecure Families in Hall County team, which earned a Vice Chancellor’s diversity award, and the Cotton-Resistant Weed Management Team that earned a Superior Service award.
In addition to his positions as an assistant county agent and then county agent, he has served in the county coordinator role, with agriculture and 4-H responsibilities, for Hall County.
“This is the next step in that career,” Brooks said of his move to the district administrator position.
Moving forward
In his new role, Brooks said he will have two priorities.
“I think keeping agriculture in the forefront, from food and fiber to production ag, will be a priority for AgriLife Extension moving forward. It will include all facets of the agency – ag and natural resources, family and community health, and 4-H, especially here in the Panhandle.”
His second priority will be all about attitude.
“Having a good attitude will get you a long way. It has helped me be successful through the years, whether it was working with the kids or with adults. Working as a district administrator, I will try to keep a positive attitude with all those I work with and those around me.”
