Austin County

AgriLife Extension Office

Welcome to Austin County, the Colonial Capital of Texas. With its rural and agricultural background it presents a series of inspiring views to the passer-through. Its rolling hills and almost idyllic farm settings can be breathtaking in their beauty.

Located in what was once Stephen F. Austin’s original settlement, Austin County is home to a diverse cultural heritage of German, Czech, Polish, African American and Spanish backgrounds. It is one of the oldest counties in Texas, organized in 1837 during the Republic of Texas.

The county is located less than one hour from downtown Houston and just over two hours from San Antonio and Austin. There are three school districts in the county; Bellville, Sealy and Brazos Consolidated, as well as Faith Academy, a prominent privately funded school.

Our Mission: To provide quality, relevant outreach and continuing education programs and services to the people in Austin County by extending the resources of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to meet identified community needs.

Extension Program: Austin County has a strong Extension program based on addressing needs identified by citizens who serve on the Leadership Advisory Board, or one of its four program area committees; Beef and Forage, Horticulture, Family and Consumer Sciences, and 4-H and Youth.

Thank you for being a part of our family!!!

Visit the County Office Website

Resources Available in Austin County

AgriLife Extension offers key programs across the state that are organized and supported at the county level. Click the links below for more information about local programming or contact your county office.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Despite the proximity to the Houston metro area and lands becoming more and more fragmented into smaller parcels, agriculture continues to be very important in Austin County and a major source of economic stability. Climatic conditions and good soils make the county ideal for growing a variety of crops and livestock species. The area was once known for its cotton production in the early half of the twentieth century and gradually transitioned into an area more conducive for the production of livestock following the second world war and is a trend that continues to this day.

Beef cattle is the number one agricultural commodity produced in the county, with an estimated 40,000 brood cows. Hay and forages make up the number two agricultural commodity grown and sold by producers, as an estimated 37,500 acres are currently grown for hay production. Other commodities grown in the county include Corn, Cotton, Grain Sorghum, Rice, Melons, Pecans, Wine Grapes and other specialty crops. Other livestock species are also produced in the county, such as Horses, Pure Bred Seed Stock Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Swine, Exotic Wildlife and others. The total estimated agricultural income is $88 million.

For more Ag & Natural Resource questions, please contact:

Stacie Villarreal

County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources

979-865-2072

Stacie Villarreal is currently the Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent for Austin County with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. She has served in this role since December 2020. Before transferring to Austin County, she held the same position in Waller County for 5 years and worked closely with the 4-H program there. Stacie grew up in the 4-H and FFA programs and showed registered Limousin heifers, steers, lambs, and market and breeding swine. She competed on numerous LDE and CDE teams during her FFA career including the National Champion Meat Judging team and held numerous offices in 4-H and FFA. Stacie graduated from Texas A&M University-Kingsville with a Bachelor’s and then a Master’s in Range and Wildlife Management. She currently works with her program area committees on educational programs, ranging from beef and forage to viticulture and horticulture. She has a large group of Master Volunteers she works closely with as well. Stacie is one of the 4-H Shotgun coaches for Austin County 4-H and has also been working to bring the Egg to Chick program to West End Elementary- so Kindergarten to 5th-grade students will have the opportunity to learn more about the life cycle.

Family Community and Health

Family and Community Health (FCH) is part of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M System. AgriLife Extension offers practical information for families: raising children, housing and environment, eating well, managing money, and staying healthy.

For more Family and Community Health questions, please contact:

Michelle Wright

County Extension Agent for Family and Community Health

979-865-2072

Michelle Wright has been an Extension professional in Austin County since 1992. She has held her current position as County Extension Agent for Family and Community Health since 2004. She is an advocate for health and wellness and upholds the Extension mission by leading high-quality, relevant educational programs that greatly improve the lives of the people in Austin County. Michelle has a passion to help others in their quest to make life changing shifts that will lead to a healthier lifestyle.

She is involved in numerous community organizations and serves on a variety of boards and committees, such as the Colorado Valley Transit Board, Raising Academic Performance (RAP) Board, Shattered Dreams Planning Committee and the Sealy East Side Foundation.

In conclusion, Michelle has the heart and soul of an Extension Agent. She loves her job and has made a definite impact in the lives of so many people throughout her career.