Villalba, Thobe join AgriLife Extension to serve South Plains
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has filled two agent positions in District 2. Michael Clawson, AgriLife Extension district administrator, Lubbock, will be their supervisor.
John Villalba is the new AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Bailey County. He previously served Swisher County for six years. Prior to that he spent two years in Jack County.
“I know John will be an asset to Bailey County, based on what he has already contributed to AgriLife Extension over his years of service,” said Clawson. “We’re excited to have him as the new ANR agent in Muleshoe.”
Villalba earned his master’s in agriculture education from New Mexico State University, Albuquerque.
“I’m excited to be the new county agent in Bailey County because it gives me the opportunity to further my career from a program-management standpoint,” said Villalba. “The resources afforded to me in Bailey County are ones in which I can utilize existing stakeholders to grow and strengthen not only the 4-H program but AgriLife Extension programming in general.”
Villalba said his passion has always been in creating a 4-H youth program focused on life skills gained through livestock and judging projects.
John Thobe has been hired as the AgriLife Extension integrated pest management agent for Bailey, Castro and Parmer counties. Thobe earned his bachelor’s degree in plant soil and environmental sciences from West Texas A&M University, Canyon,
“We are excited to welcome John to AgriLife Extension,” said Clawson. “Between his education and past professional experience, he will be a great addition to the integrated pest management team.”
Thobe most recently worked as a location manager for Sooner Co-op in Enid, Oklahoma. Prior to that he was a seed technician. While a student at West Texas A&M University, Thobe worked for AgriLife Extension in Bushland.
“I wanted to be a part of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension to provide an unbiased opinion that producers can turn to when they need an up-to-date source of information,” said Thobe. “I will strive to be the first phone call producers make when a new pest, disease pressure or variety change comes their way.”
