Smith County

AgriLife Extension Service Office

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

Upcoming Events

SMITH COUNTY SOIL TEST CAMPAIGN 2026

Attention Smith County Agricultural Producer: 2 FREE Sample readings.
Limited to only 2 soil samples per person
Drop off @ the Extension office beginning Oct. 1st through Nov. 1st.
Please note the drop off times by clicking on the title.
Backyard Chicken Seminar Series

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.
Texas Water Shed 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.
WHERE'S THE BEEF?

FREE to the Public! Friday, October 30th–9:00 AM-12:30 PM.
Call us so we know you’re coming by Oct. 27th. Extension Mtg. Room.
Click the Title for the number and to check out the Topics & Speakers.
TAI CHI

Let’s get moving with Tai Chi every first Tuesday of the Month starting in November.
8:45 AM-9:30 AM through September 27′, Extension Meeting Room 116A. You must
call to register. Click on the Title for more.
47th LANDOWNERS ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS ANNUAL STATE CONFERENCE

November 12 and 13, 2026
Holiday Inn Tyler Conference Center
5701 South Broadway, Tyler
You can Register and Book your stay if needed using the same link.
Click on the title to access the link.
CHRISTMAS CREATIONS & COZY CONVERSATIONS

Come on out and relax with us this November 12th–2:00 PM-4:00 PM
@ the Extension Mtg. Room. Cost is $15.00 (non-refundable). Pre-registration required
by Nov. 5th and class is limited to the first 24 callers.
Click the title for the number to call and more info.
EAST TEXAS BEEF & FORAGE CLINIC

Presented by: Cherokee, Panola, Rusk & Smith Counties
5 CEU Credits available to those attending this upcoming Clinic.
November 20th–8:00 AM-3:00 PM.
Rusk County Expo-Henderson. Cost is $25.00.
Click on the title to RSVP by the Nov. 16th deadline.
Overview of SC AgriLife Retail Food Programs

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
PRIVATE APPLICATOR TRAINING & PRIVATE APPLICATOR EXAM

This training will INCLUDE the EXAM immediately following the class!
Note time & location change!
Friday, January 15th–8:00 AM-11:30 AM
Cross Brand Cowboy Church Youth Building
Fee is $10.00 Reg fee & $50.00 for class manuals.
No cost for the Exam. This is the best chance you have to get licensed.
You must Pre-register. Click the title to found out how.
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS: COTTAGE FOOD LAW, BUSINESS & FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATION

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
4H OUTFIT CHALLENGE!

4H Members and Parents/Guardians get a consumer education learning experience
along with some fun, putting together an outfit on a budget.
Cost is $10.00 and we will meet @ Goodwill Industries-1817 WSW Loop 323.
Click title to find out how to register.
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING

3-Year Certification in Mental Health! Training will be January 20, 2027–9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Cost is $50.00 per participant. Please click on the flyer for all the details!
6 th Annual Virtual Small Acreage Producers Conference

Monday, November 02, 2026

9:00 am to 3:30 pm

Topics: Food Security, AgroForesty, Shrubs & Trees for East Texas to Northeast Texas Landscapes, Prairie View A&M University Community Garden Project Outreach

Sign up at: http://bit.ly/3Tr739V
Mechanical Forest Tree Pruning

Tuesday – November 17, 2026

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

2028 US Highway 84 West, Rusk Texas

See flyer BY CLICKING ON TITLE for registration information
Healthy Trees in an Earth-Kind Environment

Thursday November 12, 2026

Location: Tyler Rose Garden

Registration 8:30 am

Program from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Luke Alfaro – Tree Physiology & Why Trees Don’t Heal

Elizabeth Waldrop – The Importance of Trees in the East Texas Landscape

Greg Grant PhD – Tour of the Trees – Tyler Botanical Garden

To Register click link below:

Healthy Trees in an Earth-Kind Environment