AgriLife Extension adds 20 new county agents, program specialists across Texas
Personnel provide county-level agriculture, horticulture, youth, family and community health programming
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has filled new county agent and program specialist positions across the state to serve as the agency’s primary connection to people in their local communities.
These AgriLife Extension professionals will provide hands-on education and science-based programs throughout their counties.
The grassroots structure of AgriLife Extension, with a presence in all 254 counties, ensures area residents can contact someone familiar with everyday solutions and emerging needs specific to their community. County offices are anchored to 12 district offices throughout Texas, dedicated to problem-solving and addressing unique regional challenges.
Below are the newly appointed AgriLife Extension personnel and the districts, counties and programs they will support.
AgriLife Extension county agents
Samuel Adams, agriculture and natural resources, Ellis County
Adams, of Medford, Oregon, earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education from East Texas A&M University. He spent the last nine years as an agriculture sciences teacher. “I feel like it is important to maintain an agricultural base, so that the consumer knows and understands what it takes to put food on the table,” Adams said.
Uzair Ahmad, Ph.D., horticulture, Harris County
Ahmad, of Peshawar, Pakistan, earned his bachelor’s and master’s from the University of Agriculture Peshawar in Pakistan and his doctorate in agronomy from the University of Molise, Italy. He completed postdoctoral appointments in Florida and Arkansas and with Texas A&M AgriLife. Ahmad said he is passionate about helping Harris County’s commercial horticulture industry address challenges related to plant health, irrigation, water conservation and sustainable production practices. “I want to turn complex science into simple, easy and practical solutions that help growers and horticultural businesses solve real-world problems in plant health, water use and horticultural efficiency,” he said.
Jett Bradford, agriculture and natural resources, Glasscock County
Bradford, of Panhandle, earned a bachelor’s with a minor in agribusiness management and a master’s in business administration, both from Texas Tech University. He completed internships with AgriLife Extension and Purina Mills. He was heavily involved in 4-H throughout his youth, competing in projects ranging from food and nutrition to livestock that led to him serving in state leadership roles. Bradford said he looks forward to giving back to the program that played such a significant role in his life. “My goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of the people I serve,” he said. “I hope my work helps people succeed and strengthens the future of agriculture in Glasscock County.”
Caitlynne Budd, agriculture and natural resources, Hutchinson County
Budd, of Pampa, earned her bachelor’s in agriculture from West Texas A&M University along with her Extension certification, and she completed an internship with AgriLife Extension in Randall County. She grew up on the family farm, showed cattle and swine in 4-H, and competed in various FFA contests. Budd said she is excited to work with the youth of Hutchinson County through their livestock projects and different competitive teams. “I am most passionate about the livestock community as well as being a mentor for youth,” she said. “I hope to impact the youth by showing up, showing them I care and being a resource for them as they continue their journey.”
Katie Clark, agriculture and natural resources, Aransas County
Clark, of Dayton, earned her bachelor’s and master’s in agriculture science at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. After college, she started her career with Prairie View A&M University Extension as a 4-H and youth development county agent in Liberty County. She grew up riding cutting horses and was involved in 4-H through the shooting sports project. Her current interests are homestead quail management, gardening and being involved in her family’s commercial cattle ranch in South Texas. “I want to educate communities about agriculture, serve their needs and be a trusted local resource by helping them recognize the support and opportunities AgriLife Extension provides, especially through outreach and education.”
Madison Compton, 4-H youth development, Austin County
Compton, of Sealy, earned a bachelor’s in animal production from Tarleton State University. She worked in private practice veterinary medicine for more than three years as front office staff. While at Tarleton State University, she developed a strong passion for agriculture, education and animal husbandry. She founded and managed the Tarleton Rabbitry facility and also taught reproductive physiology. Compton was a 4-H member, focusing on the rabbit and beef projects and scramble heifer program. “AgriLife Extension embodies education and agriculture in a perfect mixture, and that is a huge pull for me to continue my passion for youth educational development,” she said.
Emma Hernandez, family and community health, Nueces County
Hernandez, of San Antonio, earned her bachelor’s in nutritional sciences at Texas A&M University. She worked in hospital food service management for five years and the last three years as an adult education assistant in the AgriLife Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. Hernandez grew up in San Antonio, with strong ties to Corpus Christi, which became a second home. She is deeply committed to listening to community needs and dedicates her work to helping individuals and families build healthier lifestyles. “I joined AgriLife Extension to be right alongside my community working to educate, build strong relationships and support families in the ways they need most,” Hernandez said.
Michael Jimenez, horticulture, Harris County
Jimenez, of Houston, earned his bachelor’s in biology from the University of Houston–Downtown. He worked nearly two years as an AgriLife Extension assistant, following two years as a certified emergency medical technician. Jimenez said he is passionate about native plantings, plant pathology and green infrastructure practices. He is interested in promoting sustainable landscapes and translating plant science into practical knowledge. “I joined AgriLife Extension to apply science in community-focused ways and support education in horticulture and environmental systems,” Jimenez said. “I hope to promote sustainable practices and hands-on learning that strengthen both youth and community understanding of plant and environmental science.”
Bradyn Medina, agriculture and natural resources, Crane County
Medina, of McCamey, earned his bachelor’s in agriculture along with a minor in agribusiness and economics from West Texas A&M University. He spent the past three years as the barn manager at Consumers Supply Co-op in Canyon while he attended college. Medina grew up showing pigs in 4-H at the county and district level as well as in the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo, San Angelo Livestock Show and Rodeo, Rodeo Austin, and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. “I’m passionate about working with the youth because I want to give them the same amazing opportunities I had growing up in 4-H,” he said.
Karissa Palmer, Ph.D., family and community health, Mason County
Palmer, of Hudson, Florida, earned her bachelor’s in agricultural education and communication from the University of Florida and both her master’s and doctorate in agricultural leadership, education and communication from Texas A&M. She has authored over 15 publications and presented her findings on rural mental health, food waste, adoption of climate-smart farming practices and nutritional message framing at conferences. Palmer showed livestock through 4-H and FFA. She said she is eager to connect with the Mason County community and is seeking volunteers to join her committees. “I want to help individuals and families make informed decisions that support healthier lives and stronger communities,” Palmer said.
Jessica Rogers, agriculture and natural resources, Bexar County
Rogers, of Friendswood, earned her bachelor’s in agribusiness-ranch management at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. She spent the past few years as an undergraduate teaching assistant for animal science courses and working at the Texas A&M University-Kingsville farm while completing applied livestock reproduction research. Rogers grew up showing pigs, heifers and judging livestock. She said she is passionate about working with producers to develop their livestock programs. “My experience in agriculture, like many other youth, began with raising livestock projects,” she said. “This ignited my passion for the industry, and I am excited to give back to the industry that made me who I am today.”
Ashley Scribner, family and community health, Karnes County
Scribner, of Stockdale, earned a bachelor’s in business administration management from Texas A&M University-San Antonio, and completed internships with the AgriLife Extension office in Wilson County, the Texas 4-H Round-Up management team, and the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. She began with AgriLife Extension in Bexar County as a program aide and advanced to an assistant agent. She grew up in the Texas 4-H and Texas FFA programs, developing a passion for food and nutrition, leadership, and consumer education while showing rabbits and goats. “I believe everyone needs to feel empowered to make an impact and create change,” she said. “I am excited to be a part of that education and connection to the community.”
Kalea Simon, agriculture and natural resources, Kimble County
Simon, of Junction, earned her bachelor’s in natural resources and her master’s in range and wildlife management, both at Sul Ross State University. She spent the last year working for U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service in Circle, Montana, as a soil conservationist. Before that, she worked for more than five years as a senior wildlife consultant. Simon grew up in the 4-H community showing pigs and goats, as well as participating in food and nutrition and apparel projects. “I’m passionate about getting our established generational ranches to work with our newly established ranches and teaching our children how to have a successful ranch for the future,” she said.
Emily Splawn, 4-H youth development, Henderson County
Splawn, of LaRue, earned her bachelor’s at the University of Texas at Tyler. She has served as a support staff member at the AgriLife Extension office for Henderson County since 2019, providing administrative and program support for 4-H youth development programs. Splawn grew up serving in many different roles with Henderson County 4-H, including showing horses and pigs at the county and state level. Splawn said she is passionate about working with the youth of Henderson County to develop their leadership skills. “I joined AgriLife Extension to be able to help raise better leaders of tomorrow through the development of skills such as public speaking and community service,” she said.
Matthew Sullaway, agriculture and natural resources, Crockett County
Sullaway, of Helotes, earned his bachelor’s in agricultural services and development from Tarleton State University. He taught agriculture science at Southwest High School from before serving as an agriculture science teacher and farm manager at the Agriculture Science and Technology Academy most recently. His expertise lies in the show pig industry. He operated a family show pig business for nearly eight years and co-managed the Breeder’s Choice Pig Sale in Comfort. Sullaway said he is passionate about youth development, livestock production and delivering practical educational programs to benefit producers and families in the community. He said he enjoys being involved in agricultural activities and supporting youth livestock programs.
Mason Ward, agriculture and natural resources, Sterling County
Ward, of Corpus Christi, earned his bachelor’s from Texas Tech University. He spent his first two years in college at South Plains College, where he was on the livestock judging team, then transferred to Texas Tech and worked for Rocking C Farm while finishing college. Ward grew up in 4-H, showing and judging livestock and participating in public speaking contests along with leadership roles at the community and district level. He said he joined AgriLife Extension to give people the opportunity he was once given through 4-H. “We are raising the next generation of agriculturalists; teaching them the importance of this industry is extremely important,” Ward said.
Danielle Wells, 4-H youth development, Nueces County
Wells, of Maud, Oklahoma, earned an associate of science at Seminole State College and a bachelor’s in family and consumer science at East Central University. She spent the past 15 years serving as a family and consumer sciences and 4-H youth development educator with Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension and more than 20 years in the Oklahoma Army National Guard. “Service has always been at the heart of my career — from serving in the Oklahoma Army National Guard to serving communities through Extension,” she said. “I’m passionate about investing in the next generation and helping young people develop the leadership, responsibility and character they’ll carry throughout their lives.”
AgriLife Extension program specialists and program assistants
Monica Siwiak, program specialist, Rosenberg
Siwiak, of Sugar Land, is in the Department of Entomology. She earned her bachelor’s in business administration and marketing from Houston Baptist University. She established the Houston Bee Rescue, known for its hive products, educational outreach and commitment to honey bee stewardship. Siwiak is the only nationally certified honey judge in Texas and a Level 2 honey sommelier certified through the Italian National Register of Experts in the Sensory Analysis of Honey. She is dedicated to advancing honey quality, education and appreciation throughout the state. “My passion is helping people connect with honey bees, understand their importance to agriculture, and appreciate the dedication of the beekeepers who care for them,” Siwiak said.
Mandy Stamnitz, program specialist, College Station
Stamnitz, of Georgetown, is in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences. She earned her bachelor’s in landscape architecture at Texas A&M and has worked the past two years as the landscape architect for the Texas Department of Transportation-Austin District. She grew up participating in events and projects like Outdoor Challenge, food and nutrition, photography, Egg-to-Chick and Texas Envirothon through 4-H. “As our population grows and cities expand here in Texas, our impact on our waterways and water resources is becoming increasingly important,” she said. “I’m excited for the opportunity to work for AgriLife Extension, collaborating with local and statewide partners to improve our waterways through education and action.”
Lindsey Stonegraber, 4-H youth development program assistant, Harris County
Stonegraber, of Houston, earned her bachelor’s in human nutrition and allied health, followed by her master’s in healthcare administration leadership, both from Oklahoma State University. She has three years of experience with Court Appointed Special Advocates for Kids. She also brings experience in 4-H youth development with Oklahoma 4-H. She is inspired to bring meaningful nutrition education to youth, helping them to develop healthy habits, increase their knowledge of balanced lifestyles, and build skills that support lifelong wellness. “With my background in nutrition and youth development, AgriLife Extension provides the perfect opportunity for me to combine those interests by delivering hands-on education and practical life skills,” Stonegraber said.
