Commissioners name county agent

By Sidney Bartee

& Melinda L. Lucas

A new AgriLife Extension Agent for Shackelford was selected by county commissioners during a special meeting last Wednesday morning, July 28.

Big Country native Kelsey Bell, who lives with her family about 20 miles southwest of Albany, should be “on board” by Monday, Aug. 16, according to county judge Robert Skelton.

Before Bell officially takes over her new duties, A&M must perform a routine background check and complete required paperwork. 

“Kelsey is already involved in the Albany community and has been an active volunteer in many of our 4-H projects and programs over the last few years,” Skelton said. “She interviewed very well and was confident this was the job she wanted.”

To be selected for the position, Texas A&M University’s AgriLife Extension Service takes applications and then selects two to three qualified candidates to present to commissioners, who can make the final decision.

Marty Gibbs from the Extension Service was present for last week’s meeting to introduce the two candidates.

At the end of the hour-long interview process, Steve Riley made the motion to extend a conditional job offer to Bell, contingent on the completion of the paperwork by A&M.

Bell has previously worked as a real estate agent, as a preschool teacher at Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church, and as substitute teacher at Nancy Smith Elementary School, where her daughters Artie Mae (10) and Lily Baigh (6) attend.

A Texas Tech University graduate, she has a bachelor of science degree in Interdisciplinary Agriculture.

Kodee Couch from Hamilton, also a Tech graduate, was the second finalist interviewed by the commissioners.