Lubbock Center Gains Two New Specialists

Writer: Tim W. McAlavy (806) 746-4051, t-mcalavy@tamu.edu

LUBBOCK – Texas A&M’s Research and Extension Center here recently gained two new specialists on its roll of faculty members. Both specialists filled existing, vacant staff positions with Texas Cooperative Extension on the South Plains.

James A., “Jay”, Yates, a New Mexico native, is Extension’s new risk management economist at the Lubbock center. Yates replaces former risk management economist Chad Hobbs.

Yates will provide leadership for risk management education programs on the South Plains, and work closely with area producers, county agents and agribusiness in coordinating the FARM Assistance program.

Financial and Risk Management (FARM) Assistance is a whole-farm decision support program designed to help Texas farmers and ranchers evaluate their existing business structure and the likely economic impact of alternatives for the future. Extension economists work statewide to implement this program with producers.

A native of Deming, New Mexico, Yates earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Tarleton State University in 1983. He received a master’s degree in ag economics from Texas A&M University in 1985.

Yates comes to Lubbock from Deming, New Mexico, where he farmed in partnership with his father. He has extensive computer skills, served as an assistant Extension specialist in Minnesota for two years, and has membership and operations experience with the National and Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Associations.

As a risk management economist, Yates will work with producers to help them measure risk and gauge the economic impacts of alternative risk management strategies, adoption of new technologies, changing farm policy and production economics.

Yates and his wife, Shelly, have three children – Amber, Ira and Zay – and reside
in Shallowater, Texas.
 
Russell W. Wallace recently came on board as an Extension vegetable specialist, filling a vacancy created when Roland Roberts retired in 2000.

A New York native, Wallace will work closely with area growers and agribusiness to conduct educational and research programs that focus on developing efficient, environmentally sound, and profitable vegetable production practices. He will work in this regard as an assistant professor in Texas A&M’s Department of Horticultural Sciences.

Wallace earned his bachelor’s degree in plant science and crop protection from California State University at Fresno. He received a master’s and doctorate degree from Cornell University, specializing in weed control in vegetable crops.

Wallace comes to Lubbock from Utah, where he worked as a field research manager for BioWorks – a privately-held company that manufactures biologically-based ag and horticultural products derived from Cornell University and the Cornell Research Foundation. He also has experience as a research associate and Extension educator with Cornell University.

He and his wife, Marti, have five children.

“The South Plains region is very fortunate to gain the level of practical experience these specialists bring to their positions with Texas Cooperative Extension,” said Jett Major, Extension agriculture director for the South Plains. “Both Jay and Russ have prior experience as Extension educators, and both have expanded their experience and knowledge through work on the farm or in related private industry.”