AgriLife Extension’s South Plains District names new agents

Wes Utley returns to Hockley County, Wade Howard transfers from Central Texas

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, [email protected]

Contact: Michael Clawson, 806-746-6101, [email protected]

LUBBOCK – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service announced the addition of two agriculture and natural resources agents to its 20-county South Plains district.

Wes Utley has resumed his former position as the AgriLife Extension agent for Hockley County, and Wade Howard, who transferred from Eastland County, has assumed a similar post in Lynn County, said Michael Clawson, AgriLife Extension administrator at Lubbock.

“We are fortunate to have these seasoned agents in our district,” Clawson said. “They are both well-versed in the agricultural needs and practices in their respective counties and also have much experience in guiding effective and vibrant 4-H youth development programs. I am confident these men will add much to the already strong AgriLife Extension programs, not only in their counties, but across the entire district as well.”

Utley returned to AgriLife Extension from the private sector. He earned a master’s degree in agriculture education and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural services and development from Tarleton State University at Stephenville. He also served as the AgriLife Extension agent in Haskell County.

Howard transferred from a similar post in Eastland County. He earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary agriculture leadership from Texas Tech University at Lubbock. Prior to joining AgriLife Extension, Howard was a Texas A&M AgriLife Research assistant working on corn breeding and genetics at Lubbock. Prior to that, he was an AgriLife Extension program assistant at the Texas 4-H Conference Center at Brownwood.

For more information, contact Clawson at 806-746-6101.