Writer: Robert Burns, 903-834-6191, rd-burns@tamu.edu
OVERTON — Larry Pierce has been appointed the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service regional program leader for the agency’s East Region. His responsibilities will include agriculture, natural resources and 4-H.
Pierce will begin his position Jan. 1 and will be based at the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center at Overton.
The AgriLife Extension East Region includes Extension Districts 4 and 5, an area encompassing 44 counties, from Jasper County in the south to Bowie County in the northeastern corner of the state and Anderson County to the west.
The regional program leader job description includes providing the “overall vision and regional leadership for the development, implementation, evaluation, and interpretation of Extension educational programs,” according to Dr. Susan Ballabina, AgriLife Extension associate director for program development, College Station.
“Emphasis will be placed on targeting both traditional and nontraditional audiences in the assigned program area of agricultural and natural resources, 4-H/youth development or family and consumer sciences and 4-H/youth development across the two districts that make up the region.”
The regional program leader will also serve as a “conduit between county agents and specialists in providing leadership for program development and all program planning processes,” as well as bring local stakeholders into the planning process, Ballabina said.
Pierce grew up in Harrison County, where he was involved in 4-H and FFA, showing steers, rabbits and hogs, as well as participating in the FFA forestry team, he said.
He received his associate degree from Panola College, Carthage, in 1994. His bachelor’s degree in animal science and his master’s degree in wildlife science are both from Texas A&M University.
Pierce began his Extension career in 1997 as an assistant agent for agriculture in Atascosa County. In 1999, he was appointed agent for agriculture and natural resources for Dimmit County. He is currently serving as the agent for agriculture and natural resources in Washington County.
He is the author or co-author of numerous Extension presentations and publications, as well as video and broadcast programs on topics from restoring native grasses, wildlife management, beef showmanship and aquatic weed management.
“Larry Pierce has demonstrated expertise in program development within every role he has served the agency,” Ballabina said. “He is highly effective in working with Extension planning groups to develop, evaluate and interpret high visibility, innovative, Extension programming. He has been highly successful in implementing strong programs with high impacts for both adult and youth audiences.”
“I am very excited about this opportunity to return to East Texas,” Pierce said. “I look forward to working with the county Extension agents in Districts 4 and 5 to strengthen and build new partnerships and Extension programs.”
For more information on AgriLife Extension programming go to http://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/programs/ .
-30-