Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Michael Clawson, 806-746-6101, m-clawson@tamu.edu
LUBBOCK – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service announced two new appointments effective Feb. 1, said Michael Clawson, AgriLife Extension administrator at Lubbock.
Wes Utley is the new AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources in Hockley County, and Blayne Reed was named the new AgriLife Extension agent-integrated pest management for Hale and Swisher counties.
“We are very pleased to have these men join us in District 2, AgriLife Extension’s South Plains District,” Clawson said. “Both these agents have a keen sense of the importance their respective positions bring to these key agricultural counties. I am confident both will fit well within the 20-county district and do excellent work within their respective counties.”
Utley transferred to Hockley County from Haskell County where he has served as an AgriLife Extension agent since 2005. While in Haskell County, he planned, coordinated and implemented county educational programs and demonstrations in the county’s major agricultural commodity areas of beef cattle, cotton, wildlife management, wheat and peanuts. He also provided key leadership to the 4-H youth program in livestock project areas, youth leadership, and adult leader training.
Utley earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural services and development and a master’s degree in agricultural education, both from Tarleton State University.
Reed comes to AgriLife Extension from the private sector. He has owned Reed Consulting, a private entomological consulting firm operating in Swisher, Hale, and parts of Castro, Briscoe, Floyd and Lamb counties since 2000. He also has experience working as an assistant cotton breeder for Delta and Pine Land Company in Haskell.
Reed earned a bachelor’s degree from Tarleton State University and a master’s degree in entomology from Texas Tech University. While completing his graduate degree, he worked with Texas A&M AgriLife Research’s cotton breeding program at Lubbock, Halfway and Pecos.
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