Dateline: January 29, 2004

County welcomes new ag extension agent

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Donley County’s new agriculture agent has settled in and is encouraging local residents to call on his office to take advantage of the services of the Texas Cooperative Extension.

Leonard Haynes started work January 1 in the Cooperative Extension’s new office, which is located on Kearney Street behind the Post Office next to Panhandle Community Services.

The new agent says he stands ready to help local producers with their crop questions, and he also is urging people to call his office if they have any lawn or garden questions.

Haynes has already been busy working with the Donley County Junior Livestock Show and Auction last month and says he hopes to build more interest in the 4-H and youth development programs.

“I want to build that program back to where it should be,” Haynes said. “I’d like to see about 100 kids in there, whether its in livestock projects or consumer science programs.”

Haynes transferred from Liberty County, where he served three years as the 4-H and youth development agent.  He served a year as assistant agent before being promoted into the 4-H position. 

Haynes earned the New Agents Award presented by his peers in the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association in 2002. 

He was a member of the team recognized with the TCAAA Excellence in 4-H Club Support earlier this year.

 “Leonard will be a great asset to our district, where he will be leading educational programming with clientele throughout the county,” said Donna Brauchi, regional program administrator in the Panhandle.

In Liberty County, Haynes conducted innovative education programs involving 4-H, developing new materials and resources for youth and volunteer training emphasis. His service included contributions in youth education and skills development efforts and in the activities involving club management, judging contests, and newsletters for members and managers.

In addition to getting ready for stock shows in San Antonio and Houston, Haynes is busy making plans for two events in March – the Texas Community Future Forum and the Northwest Texas Ag Conference, the latter of which will offer seven CEUs for pesticide applicators licenses.

The agent holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science education from Texas A&M University.  Haynes is a member of the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association and Texas Association of Extension 4-H Agents.   

Haynes is a native of Johnson City.  He is married to Ronda, a Spearman native and registered nurse.  

Donley County still has a vacancy in its family consumer agent’s position, which Haynes said the Extension hopes to fill soon.

The local Extension office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed for lunch. Sue Howard serves the office part time, and Haynes is asking folks to just leave a message if no one is there.