Jim Wells County

AgriLife Extension Service Office

Through an expansive network of 250 county offices and more than 900 professional educators, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides practical, accessible solutions to everyday challenges. Connect with an AgriLife Extension representative in your area to explore the wide range of educational resources, programming and activities available to you.

Resources Available in Jim Wells 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.

4-H Announcements

Reminders

Don’t forget! Buyer’s List are available in office to pick up. The due date to turn in project report forms and thank you cards was November 12th. All Project Report Forms turned in after November 12th will be considered late. When turning in Thank You Letters, all envelopes MUST have a stamp on them and should be turned in Unsealed.

1/8 Storyboard Registration Closes

1/9 Photography Due in Office

1/10 Dog Validation Closes

1/11 Premont Cactus 4-H Meeting

1/11 Hoppin 4-H Meeting

1/11 Ben Bolt 4-H Meeting

1/12 Orange Grove Country Kids 4-H meeting

1/17 Food Show/Food Challenge

1/18 Dog Project Training at 5:00

1/22 County Round Up and Fashion Show

1/26 County Council and Adult Leaders Meeting

1/31 Annual Fair Board meeting

Buc Days is Back! Buc Days will have a Horticulture Competition May 9, 2026. Registration is now open. This event is for ages 8-18. There will be a $25 entry fee per class. Registration will close March 2, 2026. You can view the flyer below.

Buc Days Horticulture Competition

Please keep up with the GroupMe for updated information on Shot Gun Practice.

In preparation for County Contest in January, please review the County Contest Handbook. You can find the handbook under 4-H Project Resources. All forms must be turned in by December 19th with the exception of Photography, which will be due at the time of entry.

Food Challenge and Food Show will be held January 17th

Photography is Due January 9th

Round Up and Fashion Show will be January 22nd.

ATTENTION SENIORS!! The Texas 4-H Foundation Scholarship will open November 1st! The Texas 4-H Foundation Scholarships are awarded each year to applicants based on their academic record, 4-H experience, and financial need. Over 200 scholarships will be awarded ranging from $1000 to $30,000. Be sure to check out this great opportunity. To read up on the guidelines and to apply please visit Texas 4-H Foundation Scholarship

Applications are available online November 1st. The deadline to apply will be February 15th.

We have County 4-H T-Shirts for sale. Green shirts from last year ($12 per shirt). Available sizes: YS (2), YM (2), S (1), M (1), XL (3)

This Years Shirt are Dri-Fit and will be $15. Available Sizes: YS (5), YM (10), YL (10), YXL (5), S(10), M (10), L (2), XL (4)

The District 12 4-H Trap, Skeet, & Whizbang Shoot will be held as a single-match event open to 4-H Members statewide to be held March 21, 2026, at Mission Skeet & Trap Club, 1306 S. Conway Ave, Mission, Tx. Registration for the event will take place on 4HOnline by selecting the “2026 District 12 4-H Trap, Skeet & Whiz-bang Shoot (March 21-Mission)” event as well as completing the iClays online squadding registration. Registration will open February 9 and will close March 10. The Registration Fee is $180 per contestant. Only enrolled 4-H Members can complete the online registration. There will not be a late registration period or on-site registration. NO REFUNDS will be given to a county and/or individual. Payment is due prior to the event date. If you have a balance with Texas 4-H or District 12 4-H on 4-H Online, you will not be allowed to participate until the balance is paid in full.

Check out our Facebook page!

Jim Wells County 4-H Facebook

Ag & Natural Resources Publications and Information

Here you can find publication information regarding livestock, crops, soil, and other natural resources.

Cattle imports from Mexico resume under new protocol
Tomasick, Julie. (2025, February 4) Cattle imports from Mexico resume under new protocol. Texas Farm Bureau.
Soil Testing Pointers you Probably Haven't Heard (Second in a five-part series)
Trostle, Dr. Calvin. (2025, April 21) Soil Testing Pointers you Probably Haven’t Heard (Second in a five-part series). Texas A&M University Soil & Crop Sciences
Soil Testing Pointers you Probably Haven't Hear (third in a five-part series)
Trostle, Dr. Calvin. (2025, April 28) Soil Testing Pointers you Probably Haven’t Hear (third in a five-part series). Texas A&M University Soil & Crop Sciences
Techniques for Aging Live Deer
Pierce, Robert A. II, Jason Sumners, Emily Flinn. (2022, March) Techniques for Aging Live Deer. Extension University of Missouri.
Appendix M Herd Composition: An Essential Element of White-tailed Deer Population and Harvest Management in Texas
Dillard Jim, Gary Homerstad. Appendix M Herd Composition: An Essential Element of White-tailed Deer Population and Harvest Management in Texas.
Wildlife Monitoring and Management for New World Screwworm
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has put out a New World Screwworm Fact Sheet for wild life.
The primary focus of landowners concerned about their wildlife populations should be surveillance and record-keeping. As with livestock, reporting is CRITICAL, and any suspected NWS cases should be immediately reported to your local TPWD biologist. TPWD has been actively training biologists, especially in South Texas, to handle NWS cases, who will then report to the TPWD health team. (To find a Biologist visit the link below). Captive wildlife (i.e., native species) cases will flow through TPWD, while exotic hoofstock cases will flow through TAHC.
Unfortunately, at this time, we don’t have any approved treatments for wild animals, leaving these species extra susceptible to population declines. On top of that, wildlife populations are much more difficult to monitor than livestock; therefore, the potential negative consequences for wild animals are likely much higher from a population standpoint. These consequences are why surveillance and reporting will be critical to managing our wildlife populations and reducing the population-level effects.
To review more about Wildlife Monitoring and Management for New World Screwworm visit the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Website Below.
Find a Biologist
Wildlife Monitoring and Management for New World Screwworm
The Pasture Mealybug: A New Invasive Pest of Pastures and Hayfields in Texas
Biles, Steve, Danielle Sekula, Jose Santiago-Gonzalez, Caixing Xion, and David Kerns. (2025, October). The Pasture Mealybug: A New Invasive Pest of Pastures and Hayfields in Texas. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

Healthy South Texas Announcements

December 16, 2025

Boost your brain power with these 6 pillars. Exercise increases neurotransmitters & growth factors, learning challenges build new cells, sleep repairs brain tissue, social connection strengthens mental function. Check out the link under the Healthy South Texas Resources Tab

December 16, 2025

Tired of hearing “There’s nothing to eat”?
This holiday season, help your teen build confidence and independence in the kitchen! Stock up on these 7 teen-friendly staples for easy, healthy meals.

December 1, 2025

Enjoy the holidays without the weight gain! Try these tips:

• Move a little more

• Don’t go to parties hungry

• Fill up on fruits & veggies

• Treat yourself in moderation

• Focus on friends, not food

November 25, 2025

Happy Thanksgiving! Get your steps in with this fun, 30-minute, knee-friendly, 2-mile walk! All ages welcome. Low-impact moves, music-paced, & easy to follow. You might even hit 3,000 steps while boosting your heart rate.

November 17, 2025

Hey Jim Wells County!! Don’t forget to join us on November 18th from 1:00-3:00 PM for the Diabetes Awareness Health Fair! This is a free event open to the public. There will be free flu vaccines, presentations, health screenings, and Door Prizes. We hope to see you there!!

November 13, 2025

Healthy South Texas Starts in the Kitchen!

Join us at the Alicia Salinas City of Alice Public Library for a FREE program November 14th, designed to help adults manage blood pressure through smart food choices and flavorful meals. Learn how to season smart without sacrificing taste!

November 10, 2025

Cold and flu season is here!
As fall and winter bring more germs, strong hand-washing matters more than ever. Scrub with warm water for 20 seconds and wash after sneezing, eating, or being in public. Get tips to stay healthy

November 7, 2025

Maintain, No Gain program going on at Centro de Provecho Center in San Diego. Our goal is to improve the health of Texans during the holiday season. Identifying healthy goals, striving to eat healthier, and keeping active is key to longevity.

November 3, 2025

Starts this Friday!!

Healthy South Texas Starts in the Kitchen!

Join us at the Alicia Salinas City of Alice Public Library for a FREE program designed to help adults manage blood pressure through smart food choices and flavorful meals. Learn how to season smart without sacrificing taste. Spots are limited-sign up today!

Jim Wells County Healthy South Texas Facebook

Ag and Natural Resources Announcements

January 12, 2026

Attention agriculture producers, if you and your workers need either of these trainings, be sure to call our office to RSVP. I look forward to seeing you there.

WPS Auxin Training January 16, 2026

December 13, 2025

Our volunteers are doing great things!!! This morning Mr Abel Suares, retired US Customs and Border Patrol Agent is conducting a Hunter Education Course for six young people at the Jim Wells County Fairgrounds. Thank you for your time and expertise!!!

December 2, 2025

Had a great hands on training for 14 wildlife managers from all over South Texas (College Station to Zapata) on tissue collection and sample submittal for CWD testing in White Tailed Deer this morning at the Jim Wells County Fairgrounds. Great partnership program with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Animal Health Commission. In addition, my coworkers came out and dove right in and learned how to collect samples as well. Thanks to everyone who participated!!!

November 20, 2025

Atascosa County Extension Office will be hosting a Preparing for the Spring Growing Season Workshop Tuesday December 9, 2025. This Workshop includes Picolinic Acid Chemistry Training, Brush Control Considerations and update of Technology, Integrated Pest Management in Turf and Trees, Best Management Practices for Controlling Grass Burrs and Problem Weeds in Pastures, Estate Planning Basics, and Pesticide Laws & Regulations. Up to 5 CEU’s will be offered for this workshop. If you would like to attend please RSVP to the event at 830-569-0034 no later than December 5, 2025.

November 18, 2025

After being on the road the better part of the day, I get to wrap up this evening in Orange Grove at our Fall Beef Cattle Seminar. Special thanks to Orange Grove Co-op for sponsoring the event and helping coordinate our speakers and program. Excellent topics in beef cattle health and nutrition are being presented. Well over 30 people are in attendance.

November 18, 2025

Had a great morning at Rio Beef Feedyard in Linn and Thomas Charolais Ranch in Raymondville visiting with 25 beef cattle producers from Mexico who are touring the beef industry in South Texas this week. The majority of the participants are from Nuevo León but 7 states were represented by the group in total. I appreciate the opportunity to assist in planning and coordinating some of the tour stops, but more so meeting with the producers.

November 14, 2025

Great turnout this morning for our Coastal Bend Commodity Market Symposium at Massey Farms near Robstown. Excellent and timely information for our farmers and ranchers. Special thanks to our speakers, sponsors and everyone who helped make this event possible.

November 13, 2025

REMINDER! The Nueces, Jim Wells, Kleberg, and San Patricio Counties Crop Committees will host the Coastal Bend Commodity Market Symposium on Friday, November 14, 2025 at Massey’s Farm, 2827 CR 26, Robstown, Tx beginning at 8:00 AM. This event will bring together industry professionals and Extension specialists for a day of education, discussion, and networking. If you would like to attend there is still time to RSVP.

October 28, 2025

The Nueces, Jim Wells, Kleberg, and San Patricio Counties Crop Committees will host the Coastal Bend Commodity Market Symposium on Friday, November 14, 2025 at Massey’s Farm, 2827 CR 26, Robstown, Tx beginning at 8:00 AM. This event will bring together industry professionals and Extension specialists for a day of education, discussion, and networking.

Coastal Bend Commodity Market Symposium

Events Calendar

Stay up to date on monthly 4-H Meetings, Competitions, Deadlines and Events. Explore the events calendar to stay current on what is happening throughout the year.

January Events
1/2 Nueces County Archery Match
1/4 Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco 4-H Meeting
1/5 Orange Grove Country Kids 4-H Meeting
1/8 Storyboard Registration Closes
1/9 Photography Entries Due
1/10 Dog Validation Closes
1/10 Rifle Practice
1/11 Shotgun Practice
1/11 Premont Cactus 4-H Meeting
1/11 Hoppin 4-H Meeting
1/17 Food Show/Food Challenge
1/17 Rifle Practice
1/18 Shotgun Practice
1/19 Postal Registration
1/22 County Round Up and Fashion Show
1/24 Rifle Practice
1/25 Shotgun Practice
1/26 County Council and Adult Leaders Meeting
1/31 Rifle Practice
1/31 Annual Jim Wells County Fair Board Meeting
February Events
2/1 Ben Bolt 4-H Meeting
2/1 Robotics Practice
2/7 Rifle Practice
2/8 Shotgun Practice
2/8 Premont Cactus 4-H Meeting
2/8 Hoppin 4-H Meeting
2/9 Orange Grove Country Kids 4-H Meeting
2/9 Whizbang Registration Opens
2/12 San Antonio Food Challenge
2/14 Rifle Practice
2/15 Shotgun Practice
2/15 Robotics Practice
2/21 Rifle Practice
2/22 Shotgun Practice