Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Josh Kouns, 940-889-5581, josh.kouns@ag.tamu.edu
SEYMOUR – Josh Kouns has been hired as the new Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agriculture and natural resources agent for Baylor County, according to Miles Dabovich, AgriLife Extension district administrator in Vernon.
Kouns will begin training Aug. 17 in Palo Pinto County and start in Baylor County on Sept. 17, Dabovich said.
“Josh brings a great combination of experience in growing up in production agriculture and serving as a successful FFA advisor,” Dabovich said. “His skills will be a great asset to the Baylor County program for both youth and adults.”
Kouns, a native of Whitestown, Indiana, earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
He spent the past eight years as an agriculture instructor at Throckmorton Independent School District and McCutcheon High School in Lafayette, Indiana. Prior to that, he was a livestock specialist with the Indiana Board of Animal Health in Indianapolis.
“I grew up on a grain and livestock farm in central Indiana where I learned at a young age the value of hard work and the huge impact that agriculture plays in our daily lives,” Kouns said.
Kouns was heavily involved in 4-H and FFA as a student and continued to be involved through the collegiate livestock judging programs and into his career as a high school agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. He also judges sheep and goat shows throughout the country.
“With all these qualities combined, I felt by joining AgriLife Extension I could get back closer to my farm environment and combine it with the youth experience and programs,” he said..
“I look forward to working with the farmers and residents of Baylor County as well as giving the young people involved in 4-H opportunities for leadership and scholarships.”
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