Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
OZONA – Crockett County has gained a new Texas AgriLife husband-and-wife team with the hiring of Ty and Whitney Walston.
Ty Walston started as manager of the Read Ranch for Texas AgriLife Research effective May 9, according to Dr. John Walker, resident director of research for AgriLife Research at San Angelo. Walker said the Read Ranch is one of several satellite ranch properties administered from the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at San Angelo.
“We are very pleased that Ty has elected to manage the Read Ranch,” Walker said. “This key property is one of the finest native range ranches in the entire Texas A&M University System. Ty has the energy and strong practical and academic agricultural background so necessary for the successful management of any ranch, but especially so when research is the main purpose.”
Whitney Walston will assume duties as the Texas AgriLife Extension Service family and consumer sciences agent for Crockett County effective May 21. Her job announcement was made jointly by Crockett County Judge Fred Deaton and Brenda Rue, AgriLife Extension administrator at Fort Stockton.
Whitney will first complete AgriLife Extension’s First Step orientation training in Schleicher County before assuming her permanent duties in Crockett County on June 18, Rue said.
“All indications are that Whitney is a natural fit for Crockett County,” she said. “She knows and appreciates ranching and rural and small town-living. But above all, she exhibits just the right people skills that are so necessary for any AgriLife Extension program to be successful in rural West Texas. We know she will be a welcome addition to Crockett County, as well as to the Far West Texas AgriLife Extension family.”
Ty Walston earned a bachelor’s degree in rangeland ecology from Texas A&M University in College Station. Before transferring to Texas A&M, he was a student at Sul Ross State University, where he was honored with the University’s Wildlife Student of the Year Award.
His range-related experience involves past work in grassland restoration through rotational grazing, range reseeding and invasive brush species control. His ranch wildlife experience has included spotlight deer surveys, mule deer and elk capture, and undergraduate research work.
Whitney Walston is currently completing a master’s degree in health education from Texas A&M University at College Station. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Texas A&M University System’s Tarleton State University at Stephenville.
Her professional experience includes work as a teen program director for the Boys and Girls Club of the Texas Hill Country, where she was responsible for developing, overseeing and implementing teen program curriculum. She served as a kindergarten and pre-K Sunday school instructor and nursery assistant for the Johnson City United Methodist Church. She also has ranch work experience and has worked as a substitute teacher.
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