What We Do

Agriculture is a cornerstone of Texas’s economy and identity, and in Midland County, it remains a vital part of the local landscape. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides producers, landowners, and gardeners with expert, research-backed guidance to support productivity, sustainability, and profitability.

We offer education and technical support in a wide range of areas, including:

Livestock & Forage Management

• Beef cattle nutrition, health, and genetics
• Sheep and goat production
• Pasture and range management
• Forage crop selection and grazing systems
• Drought resilience and herd planning

Crop Production

• Pest, weed, and disease control strategies
• Integrated pest management (IPM) practices
• Crop selection, rotations, and soil fertility management
• Water-efficient irrigation techniques
• Precision agriculture and technology adoption

Urban & Home Horticulture

• Lawn and turfgrass care suited to West Texas climates
• Tree, shrub, and flower recommendations
• Raised bed and container gardening
• Insect, disease, and weed identification
• Seasonal planting guides and irrigation advice

Fruit & Vegetable Gardening

• Best practices for home-grown food production
• Soil preparation and composting
• Drip irrigation and water conservation
• Organic pest control and fertilization
• Vegetable variety selection for the Permian Basin

Sustainable Practices

• Soil health management
• Water conservation strategies for both rural and urban settings
• Pollinator habitat preservation
• Environmental stewardship for agricultural and residential properties

We support our local ag and hort community through:

• Field days, workshops, and webinars
• Site visits and one-on-one consultations
• Diagnostic services (soil testing, plant and pest ID)
• Access to publications and online tools from Texas A&M AgriLife and the Extension network

Our goal:

To empower producers, landowners, and residents with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed, sustainable, and profitable decisions — whether they manage thousands of acres or a backyard garden.

For more information, visit the Agriculture & Horticulture Resources page.

Texas 4-H is the youth outreach program of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and is the largest youth development program in Texas, with over 550,000 participants annually. In Midland County, 4-H provides young people with hands-on learning experiences that build leadership, confidence, and real-world skills.

Through 4-H, youth can explore a wide range of interests including:

• STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math)
• Agriculture and livestock
• Robotics and coding
• Healthy living
• Leadership and citizenship
• Community service
• Outdoor education

Youth participate in local clubs, county fairs, camps, contests, and leadership conferences. Adult volunteers and county agents guide participants in setting goals, learning by doing, and giving back to their communities.

Our goal:

To prepare youth to become responsible, productive citizens equipped with the skills to lead in their communities and careers.

For more information, visit the 4-H Development Resources page.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Family & Community Health (FCH) programs are designed to improve the well-being of individuals, families, and communities across Texas. Whether it's healthy eating, chronic disease prevention, financial literacy, or mental wellness, AgriLife delivers trusted, research-based education to help Texans live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

These programs are available to people of all ages, income levels, and backgrounds — with a focus on practical skills that promote lifelong health and resilience.

Nutrition & Wellness

• Healthy meal planning and cooking demonstrations
• Portion control and label reading
• Diabetes and heart health education (e.g., Walk Across Texas, Dinner Tonight)
• Strategies for increasing physical activity
• Nutrition education for all life stages — from infants to seniors

Mental & Emotional Well-Being

• Stress management and self-care techniques
• Resources for caregiver support
• Emotional intelligence and conflict resolution
• Youth mental health programming through 4-H and schools

Financial Literacy & Life Skills

• Budgeting and money management
• Understanding credit and saving for emergencies
• Family financial planning
• Disaster preparation and recovery resources

Parenting & Family Life

• Positive parenting practices
• Child safety and development education
• Family communication skills
• Programs for young parents, grandparents raising grandchildren, and multi-generational households

Community Health Initiatives

• Health fairs, screenings, and community wellness events
• Faith-based and workplace wellness partnerships
• Public health collaborations with schools, hospitals, and nonprofits
• Community health needs assessments and program development

Our goal:

To empower individuals and families with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions, build healthy habits, and strengthen community well-being across generations.

For more information, visit the Family & Community Health Resources page.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service supports the long-term success of Texas communities through its Community & Economic Development programs. These efforts help local leaders, businesses, and citizens build stronger economies, improve quality of life, and plan for a more resilient future.

Whether you're a civic leader, small business owner, nonprofit director, or engaged resident, AgriLife provides tools and training to help your community grow and thrive.

Leadership & Civic Engagement

• Community leadership training programs
• Strategic planning for local governments and nonprofits
• Youth leadership development through 4-H and school partnerships
• Capacity-building for civic boards, volunteers, and community groups

Business & Economic Support

• Resources for entrepreneurs and small businesses
• Workforce development and career readiness training
• Economic impact assessments and feasibility studies
• Rural and urban development strategies

Community Development Initiatives

• Visioning workshops and town hall facilitation
• Needs assessments and public input sessions
• Emergency preparedness education
• Community revitalization and place-making projects

Digital Access & Technology Support

• Broadband access awareness and digital inclusion efforts
• Online business tools and digital marketing guidance
• Virtual learning and training for community leaders

Our goal: 

To help Texas communities become more vibrant, resilient, and economically sustainable — one partnership, training, and project at a time.

For more information, visit the Community & Economic Development Resources page.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is committed to helping Texans be responsible stewards of the land, water, and wildlife that define our state. Through education, research-based practices, and hands-on outreach, AgriLife empowers individuals, landowners, and communities to protect and manage natural resources for long-term sustainability.

Whether you own acreage, manage urban property, or simply want to reduce your environmental footprint, AgriLife offers programs and resources to support conservation-minded decision-making.

Land & Rangeland Management

• Brush and invasive species control
• Grazing management and pasture planning
• Soil health and erosion prevention
• Wildlife-friendly land practices
• Fire ecology and prescribed burning education

Water Resources & Conservation

• Residential and agricultural water conservation techniques
• Rainwater harvesting systems
• Irrigation efficiency for landscapes and farms
• Stormwater and watershed management
• Private well maintenance and water testing programs

Wildlife & Habitat Education

• Native plant restoration
• Pollinator protection and habitat creation
• Deer, turkey, and small game habitat management
• Urban wildlife coexistence strategies
• Birding and citizen science activities

Sustainability & Community Engagement

• Texas Watershed Steward and Texas Riparian programs
• Texas Master Naturalist volunteer training
• Youth education through 4-H natural resources projects
• Community workshops and environmental awareness events
• Composting, recycling, and zero-waste lifestyle practices

Our goal: 

To help Texans understand and actively care for the ecosystems they depend on, preserving the quality of life and natural beauty of our state for generations to come.

For more information, visit the Environmental Stewardship & Natural Resources Resource page.