Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Kenny Patterson, 806-447-2313, Kenny.patterson@ag.tamu.edu
WELLINGTON – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has hired Kenny Patterson for the agriculture and natural resources agent position in Collingsworth County.
Kenny Patterson was hired as the agriculture and natural resources agent in Collingsworth County. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Kay Ledbetter)
Patterson began his new position Nov. 14 and will spend the first month in Donley and Hall counties as a part of the First Step training program.
He was raised on the family’s cattle ranch and worked for his grandfather at Wellington Livestock Commission, so he said he is excited to stay in familiar country and begin working with both the youth and the producers of the county.
“We are glad to have Kenny on the District 1 team,” said Brandon Dukes, AgriLife Extension district director in Amarillo. “His background and familiarity with production agriculture make him a great fit for this position.”
Patterson participated in both 4-H and FFA at Wellington and then earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture business and economics from West Texas A&M University in Canyon. For the past year, he has worked in insurance and banking while waiting for this job to reopen after a state-mandated hiring freeze.
“I’ve always enjoyed kids and 4-H, as well as farming and ranching, so I’ve wanted to become a county agent for two years,” he said. “I’ve just been waiting for the right position to open up and I’m excited to be able to work right here in my hometown.”
On the production side of his job, Patterson said he will concentrate his efforts on bringing information to the producers when they need it and on subjects of major interest, such as new chemicals and technologies for cotton, which is a major crop in the area.
Patterson said he plans to work on increasing the number of 4-H’ers, as the membership seemed to fall off somewhat while the county was without an agent over the past year. In addition, he plans to bring back some horse-oriented programs that have disappeared since he was in 4-H.
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