MIAMI – Nick Risley has been hired for the Texas AgriLife Extension Service agricultural and natural resources agent position in Roberts County. Risley started in his new position on Jan. 27.
A native of Boise City, Okla., Risley earned his bachelor’s degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford and his master’s from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.
He has worked the past year as the Oklahoma State University Cimarron County Extension Service agent in Boise City, Okla. Prior to joining the Oklahoma Extension Service, he worked for several years as a ranch manager near Putnam, Okla.
While Risley earned his master’s degree in natural resources management and ecology, his bachelor’s degree was in recreation leadership, which has provided him a path to some unique training and certificates that he hopes to utilize in his new position.
He is certified as an outdoor education specialist and aquatics specialist. He also has instruction abilities in community CPR, first aid, emergency response, lifeguard, sailing, small craft, high angle rescue, as a wilderness first responder, as well as being scuba certified.
Danny Nusser, AgriLife Extension district administrator in Amarillo, said Risley will serve in the Roberts County office very similar to what he’s done in the Cimarron County office – one person answering all the questions on agriculture, 4-H and family and consumer sciences.
“Nick has a very strong and experienced background in beef cattle management, equine science and youth development,” Nusser said. “We were very fortunate to find someone with his maturity and knowledge to continue a rich tradition of outstanding AgriLife Extension educational programs in Roberts County.”
Risley said he is currently helping design a 4-H high adventure program in Oklahoma, “which I will continue to do when I move to Roberts County and I hope to utilize it there. We are putting a natural resources aspect to it. It will be a seven-day backpacking type adventure for youths over 14 in the wilderness somewhere.”
As for agriculture, Risley said Cimarron County is divided between farming and cattle.
“Agriculture is the only driving force out here,” he said. “In Roberts County, it will be much the same. I will deal with more range and wildlife, but it won’t be a lot different. I’m in a one-agent county, so I have done it all and dealt with all kinds of questions.”
-30-