The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service welcomes several new and returning agents to its South Plains and Panhandle districts in July.

Michael Clawson and Josh Brooks, AgriLife Extension district directors in Lubbock and Amarillo, respectively, said they are excited by the energy and enthusiasm the new agents bring as well as encouraged by those bringing previous agency experiences to their new positions.

Newcomers

Dereck Coffman (Photos by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension)

Derek Coffman began July 5 as the agent in Mitchell County. Coffman, a native of Paradise, earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural services and development from Tarleton State University. In addition to being an agriculture science teacher for the past two years at Perrin Whitt Consolidated Independent School District, he has worked in an equine-assisted therapy program while attending Tarleton State University.

Jason Wade

Jason Wade began July 6 as the agriculture and natural resources agent in Swisher County. Wade, a native of Weston, Idaho, earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture science and technology from West Texas A&M University. Wade completed his student teaching at Happy Independent School District in 2020. He has previously worked as an apprentice plumber and most recently as an agriculture science teacher with the River Road school system in Amarillo.

Returning agents

Brant Baugh

Brant Baugh began July 1 as the agriculture and natural resources agent in Lubbock County. Baugh was an integrated pest management agent for 21 years with AgriLife Extension in Lubbock, Parmer and Bailey counties before spending the past nine years with various private companies as an agronomist, seed specialist and in sales. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in entomology from Texas Tech University.

Shawnte Clawson

Shawnte Clawson began July 6 as the family and community health agent in Hale County. Brooks will serve as her supervisor. Clawson is also returning to AgriLife Extension after spending a few years as a family and consumer sciences teacher with the Plainview school system. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech, her master’s degree from Lamar University and is currently working on her doctorate in family and consumer education at Texas Tech. Clawson has served as an AgriLife Extension family and consumer sciences agent in Swisher and Ector counties, as well as the 4-H youth development program specialist in Amarillo.

Transferring

Derek Williamson

Derek Williamson will transfer to Hutchinson County from Armstrong County as the agriculture and natural resources agent on July 15. Williamson began with AgriLife Extension in 2015 in Armstrong County. He is a native of Blum and earned his bachelor’s degree from West Texas A&M University. In 2019, he earned an Early Career award from the Texas County Association of Agriculture Agents for professional excellence.

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