Howdy,

We have closed fiscal year 2024, and I am proud to share that we received $157 million in contracts and grants. This strong year reflects outstanding faculty and staff contributions across the AgriLife Research enterprise.

Legislative update

On Sept. 19, I presented our legislative request for the FY26-27 biennium, focusing on “intelligent agricultural systems,” to members of the Governor’s office and legislative budget board. We must aggressively invest in technologies that rapidly advance the sustainability of our food, fiber, and natural resources systems for improved lives and livelihoods. This initiative aims to positively impact capacity and programming at our 13 regional research centers, 20 academic departments in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and six institutes supported by AgriLife Research.

Construction updates

Ongoing construction projects led by AgriLife Research are at various stages of progress: 

1. The Animal Reproductive Biotechnology Center at Texas A&M RELLIS is scheduled for completion by early 2025.
2. The Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center relocation project from Amarillo to Canyon remains on schedule for completion by fall of 2025.
3. The rebuilding of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Vernon and Foundation Seed, following tornado damage to the complex, is scheduled for completion in summer of 2025.
4. The Meat Science and Technology Center project is in initial design phases with completion anticipated by spring of 2028. 
5. The greenhouse project at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas has been approved for design and is on a completion deadline of early 2026. Read more below.
6. The Texas A&M University System has initiated the design process for a research building in Fort Worth, expected for completion in 2028. AgriLife Research is working to grow research opportunities as the project develops.

Administrative updates

I’m pleased to welcome aboard Kelly Essler, who has accepted the role of AgriLife Research’s Director of Research Employee Experience. Kelly will provide leadership on enhancing relationships among our faculty, graduate students and staff across the state. 

Marco Palma, Ph.D., has been appointed as the Interim Associate Director of the Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture. Marco’s broad background in consumer science will enhance the opportunities for the Responsive Agriculture Hub of the IHA. 

We are excited to have Kelly and Marco join AgriLife Research in administrative roles.

Before we know it, 2025 will be here. I appreciate the commitment of our faculty, staff and students to advancing the AgriLife Research enterprise.

Gig ‘em!

Several administrative searches are in various stages. Please participate in interviews when you see the opportunity. These ongoing searches are open to external and international candidates:

• Director – Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture. Finalists have been invited to come to campus in October for interviews.
• Director – Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Evidence Center. Currently in the recruiting phase.
• Director –Research and Extension Center at Stephenville. Finalists have been interviewed, a final offer is pending.
• Director –Research and Extension Center at Corpus Christi. Currently screening candidates to interview.
• Director – Research and Extension Center at San Angelo. Currently screening candidates to interview.