Ward County

Through an extensive network of more than 900 professional educators across 250 county offices, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service delivers practical, research-based solutions to everyday challenges. Connect with your local AgriLife Extension representative to explore a wide variety of educational programs, activities, and resources designed to improve the lives of Texans.

Discover Ward County

Ward County, located in the heart of West Texas, spans 835 square miles of Trans-Pecos desert grassland. The county seat is Monahans, with other communities including Grandfalls, Pyote, and Wickett. The area’s natural resources include oil, gas, sand, and gravel, while agriculture features beef cattle, horses, goats, cotton, and alfalfa. Ward County is home to approximately 13,115 residents.

Two outstanding Public school districts & One Private School serve the county — Monahans-Wickett-Pyote ISD, Grandfalls-Royalty ISD, Transformative Leadership Academy — each dedicated to providing quality education and community engagement.

Spanish explorers first documented the vast sand hills of the area in the 1580s. Later, the Jumano and Comanche tribes inhabited the region, drawn by its abundant water and wildlife. The arrival of the railroad in the 1880s brought new growth, with Monahans serving as a key water stop between the Pecos River and Big Spring.

The discovery of oil in the 1920s transformed the region into a vital center for oil production and cattle ranching. Ward County, named after Republic of Texas leader Thomas W. Ward, was officially established in 1892.

Our Mission

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Ward County is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals, families, businesses, and communities through high-quality, relevant education.

Extension programs focus on:

• Agriculture and Horticulture

• Community and Economic Development

• Environmental Stewardship

• Family and Consumer Sciences

• Youth Development (4-H)

Through its local faculty and connection to the Texas A&M University System, AgriLife Extension provides unbiased, research-based information, technical assistance, and educational opportunities that empower Texans to thrive.