Two new assistant county agent positions have been filled and a veteran agent has made a move in Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s District 1, headquartered out of Amarillo.

Josh Brooks, AgriLife Extension district administrator, announced the hiring of Riata Marchant as the new assistant county agent for agriculture and natural resources in Moore County and Madison Campbell as the new assistant county agent for family and community health in Hemphill County. Both started June 14.

Head shot of Kristy Slough
Kristy Slough, AgriLife Extension agent in Hansford County.

Also, he announced Kristy Slough will transfer from Hutchinson County to Hansford County as the agriculture and natural resources agent beginning June 15.

“The reintroduction of the assistant agent position into the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service happened in 2019,” Brooks said. “This will be the second set of agents who will go through this process.”

He said these positions allow the agents to go into the counties and learn for one to two years before they lead their own counties. 

“Riata Marchant and Madison Campbell are the two outstanding candidates for the Moore and Hemphill positions. They are focused, fun and full of energy. I can’t wait to see what they get done as agents here in District 1,” Brooks said.

Head shot of Riata Marchant
Riata Marchant, AgriLife Extension assistant county agent in Moore County.

Marchant on the Moore County position

Marchant said she is excited to join the AgriLife Extension team in Moore County.

A native of Omak, Washington, she earned her bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. Most recently, she served as an intern with Cargill Protein, learning the commercial side of the business. She has also worked in Oklahoma State University’s soil testing lab and in the Cline Equine Center.

“While I originally thought I would go into sales, I want to work with farmers and ranchers and youth, and AgriLife Extension checks off all those boxes for me,” Marchant said. “I’m really excited to give back to the agriculture industry because it has been a big part of my success so far.”

Head shot of Madison Campbell
Madison Campbell, AgriLife Extension assistant county agent in Hemphill County.

Campbell on the Hemphill County position

Campbell said she looks forward to joining the Hemphill County team

“I’m excited to expand my knowledge of AgriLife Extension and work through the many programs the agency offers to help improve the lives of the youth and adults of the community,” Campbell said. “I also look forward to the opportunity to work with Tanya Holloway and learn her perspectives on family and community health.”

Campbell, a native of New Braunfels, earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science from Texas Tech University. Prior to taking her new position, she worked as a student assistant at Texas Tech University K-12.

Slough heads to Hansford County

Brooks said Slough’s move as a tenured agent will bring stability and leadership to Hansford County. 

“I am excited to be working in Hansford County,” Slough said. “I have been working for many years with former agents here to conduct multi-county agricultural programming and am looking forward to meeting all the producers. The 4-H program also is very strong and I am excited to assist the leaders, parents and kids continue their tradition of success.” 

Slough began her career with AgriLife Extension in 2003, starting first in Victoria County and then moving to Randall County as the 4-H youth development agent. She has served the past 10 years in Hutchinson County.

She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas A&M University at College Station.