Smith County

AgriLife Extension Service Office
Close up of the top of swollen fingergrass sillouetted by the sun behind it.

We provide research-based information in Agriculture/Natural Resources, Horticulture, Family & Community Health and 4-H and Youth Development. The Smith County Extension Program is administered through a professional staff of Extension agents working with the Smith County Leadership Advisory Board. Educational programs are implemented through specific program area committees. Our board and committee members are community volunteers interested in helping the people of Smith County.

Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Smith County has a rich history of serving its citizens. In 1906, W.C. Stallings was hired via the Smith County Commissioner’s Court as the first county agent in the United States to serve only one county. Today, six agents and three support staff team members serve residents with a diverse offering of educational programs and services.

Our Office can offer programs in the following areas:  Health & Fitness; Limited Resource Farmers; Farm & Ranch Profitability; Youth Development; Sustainable Environmental Landscaping, Water Conservation and General Horticulture.

Resources Available in Smith County

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Horticulture

Livestock Market Reports

Result Demonstrations

Upcoming Events

  • SUCCESSFUL EDIBLE GARDENING
    September 10, 2026; 9:00 AM-12 Noon @ Tyler Rose Center Complex
    Event is FREE and OPEN to the Public
    Register by clicking on the Title and scanning QR Code or use link.

  • East Texas Fire And Nature Festival
    Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
    Location: Tyler Nature Center, 11942 FM 848 Tyler
    Click on the title and Scan QR code for more information.

  • 4H Informational Meeting
    Join 4H NOW! 4H Meeting for new 4H Members and Parents/Guardians.
    Tuesday, Oct. 13th-6:00 PM-7:00 PM here @ the Extension Meeting Room.
    Get started right by learning about projects, competitions, and events.
    Register now 903.590.2980 or email: [email protected].
    Click the title for more info.

  • Hands in a garden cupping a soil sample

    FREE Event! Smith County & Upshur County Ag Agents
    Clint Perkins (SC) and Lauryn Coffman (UC)
    will discuss building Healthy Soil. Make plans now to attend!

  • Meeting of the Tyler Chapter of Native Plant Society of Texas
    Monday, September 14, 2026, at 4:00 pm
    Tyler Nature Center – 11942 FM 848, Tyler
    Speaker – Greg Grant PhD, Texas AgriLife Extension Service – Smith County
    Postmortem: The Decline of Post Oaks and an Entire Ecosystem
    *Click on Title for directions*

  • STATE OF AGRICULTURE
    Celebrate the Economic Impact of Ag in East Texas!
    ET State Fair Exhibit Building
    Wednesday, September 30, 2026
    11:30 AM-1:00 PM
    Click on the Title for the Registration link

  • hay bales in a field

    42nd Smith County Hay Show
    Friday, October 2, 2026 –11:30 AM @ the East Texas Fair Exhibit Building on Hwy 64.
    PLEASE NOTE THE NEW LOCATION. ALSO PLEASE NOTE THE NEW SAMPLE COLLECTION MONTH AND DATES:
    Monday, August 3rd to Saturday, August 8th. ALL DROP OFF LOCATIONS LISTED ON THE FLYER.
    Click on the Title for ALL DROP OFF LOCATIONS.

  • Hullabloom

    SFA GARDENS FALL FESTIVAL PLANT SALE
    Pineywoods Native Plant Center
    Oct. 10, 2026, 9 AM-2 PM
    Click on Title for more

  • BACKYARD CHICKEN SEMINAR SERIES
    Starts October 19th with Chicken Basics
    Egg Grader Training begins October 26th.
    Register for one or both series by clicking on the Title

  • 2026 ANNUAL “FROM BULBS TO BLOOMS” CONFERENCE AND BULB SALE
    October 24, 2026
    9:00 AM-1:00 PM; Dr. Greg Grant, SC Horticulturist will present
    “Earth-Kind Bulbs: No Water, No Fertilizer, No Pesticides”
    Pollard United Methodist Church, 3030 New Copeland Road, Tyler, TX 75701
    Online Store opens October 12th through October 21st!
    Get the contact information and more by clicking on the title.

  • Native Landscape Certification Program
    Level 1 Training is Saturday, Oct. 17th–9 AM-4 PM @ Tyler Nature Center.
    Registration will open August 3rd.
    Register @ npsot.org/our-work/class-schedule/class-descriptions/
    Cost is $45.00.
    Click on Title if you need more information

  • TEXAS WATERSHED STEWARD
    October 27, 2026; 1 PM-5 PM
    AgriLife Extension Conference Room
    FREE Continuing Education Credits!
    Register by scanning QR Code or use link or phone # provided.

  • Tractor applying pesticide to crops in a field

    Private Applicator Training
    “Be Ready for Spring Spraying!”
    Friday, November 6, 2026 8:30 AM-12 Noon
    Extension Meeting Room
    You must pre-register. Click the Title for the number to call.

  • November 12 and 13, 2026
    Holiday Inn Tyler Conference Center
    Register now by clicking on Title

  • Produce on display in a market

    OVERVIEW OF SMITH COUNTY TEXAS
    AGRILIFE RETAIL FOOD PROGRAMS 2026-2027
    Cottage Food Conference: Nov. 20, 2026
    Food handlers Certification:
    Nov. 20, 2026-3:00-5:00 PM
    March 10, 2027-10:00 AM-12 Noon
    July 14, 2027-2:00-4:00 PM
    Homestead Conference: June 4, 2027
    10:00 AM-2:00 PM Call: 903.590.2980

  • A woman holds a jar of homemade dried fruit

    Start ups and Food industry hopefuls: Here’s your recipe for success!
    Nov. 20th–1:00 PM-5:00 PM @ the SC Extension Meeting Room.
    $40.00 for the day w/food handlers certification
    $20.00 for the day w/o food handlers certification
    No Refunds-Pre-registration required by Nov. 13th.
    Click Title for the number

Upcoming Events

Sep
09
Generation Next: Our Turn to Ranch
Sep
15
Cut Stump and Stem Spray: Can We Take Diesel Out of the Mix?
Sep
15
Shoreline Plant & Woody Vegetation Management
Oct
27
Texas Watershed Steward Workshop - Tyler
All Smith County Events

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