Texas A&M AgriLife

Ximena Paez is a scientist by training and research/academic administrator by passion and practice. She obtained a Ph.D. in neuroscience in 2014 from Texas A&M University and postdoctoral training at the University of Michigan. After several years in the research field, she shifted to a career in administration and leadership. She has worked at TAMU since 2019 in different roles, assisting programs with strategic planning, administrative oversight, managing training grants, building recruitment pipelines, student mentorship and liaising with different units across campus, among other initiatives. -- The LEAD AgriLife program was created to develop the collective strength of faculty and staff across the organizations under Texas A&M AgriLife. The bridges created will lead to more research, programs and projects that are multi-department. Learn more at tx.ag/LEAD2425

Michael Haynes graduated from Texas A&M University in 2008 with a B.S. and in 2009 with an M.Ed. while working in a private industry before joining the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. He became a county extension agent for agriculture and natural resources for Caldwell County in 2012 and transferred to Bandera County in 2016. In both counties his work focused on all areas of agriculture and natural resources. He was appointed district extension administrator for district 10 in 2019 and is currently a doctoral candidate at West Texas A&M University studying higher education administration. -- The LEAD AgriLife program was created to develop the collective strength of faculty and staff across the organizations under Texas A&M AgriLife. The bridges created will lead to more research, programs and projects that are multi-department. Learn more at tx.ag/LEAD2425

Today, we proudly celebrate National Ag Day. Commissioner Sid Miller knows just how important this day is—not just for our farmers and ranchers, but for every Texan. Agriculture is the backbone of our state and our nation, powered by the hardworking men and women who put in long hours, weekends, and holidays to feed, clothe, and fuel the world. Here’s to the producers we know and love—and to an industry that means everything to us Texas Agriculture Matters #TexasAgricultureMatters #AgDay #Agriculture #Celebrate

Agriculture impacts every part of our lives, from the food we eat to the clothes we wear. On National Ag Day, we recognize the dedication of those who make it possible. This year’s theme, "Growing Together," reflects Texas A&M AgriLife’s commitment to collaboration, innovation, and sustainability. Guided by our land-grant heritage, we work across disciplines to strengthen agriculture in Texas and beyond. Happy National Ag Day! Texas A&M AgriLife Research | Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service | Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab (TVMDL) | Texas A&M Forest Service | Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Dr. Julie Piccione is a veterinary clinical pathologist who is Assistant Agency Director for Clinical Pathology at Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab (TVMDL). She earned her DVM from the University of Florida and completed her residency and master’s degree at Texas A&M University. Dr. Piccione is interested in laboratory management, endocrinology, digital microscopy and tick-borne relapsing fever. She enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband (who is also a veterinarian), their two young children and three cats. In her free time, she loves doing Zumba and relaxing. -- The LEAD AgriLife program was created to develop the collective strength of faculty and staff across the organizations under Texas A&M AgriLife. The bridges created will lead to more research, programs and projects that are multi-department. Learn more at tx.ag/LEAD2425

Jamie Norgaard is a 2002 graduate of Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Agricultural Development. After graduation, she worked in retail management for eight years before starting her new journey in the Texas A&M University Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications. Jamie worked her way up as a staff member for over nine years in ALEC before moving to the Dean’s Office in 2019. Since 2019, Jamie has assisted all of the Associate/Assistant Dean’s at some point in time. -- The LEAD AgriLife program was created to develop the collective strength of faculty and staff across the organizations under Texas A&M AgriLife. The bridges created will lead to more research, programs and projects that are multi-department. Learn more at tx.ag/LEAD2425

The Hatch Act of 1887 laid the foundation for agricultural innovation by funding land-grant colleges like Texas A&M University to establish experiment stations. This milestone led to the creation of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, driving discoveries that continue to shape agriculture and the life sciences today! Happy Birthday, AgriLife Research! 🥳

Dr. Chad Nelson is an instructional associate professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He transitioned to the Texas A&M University Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications in the fall of 2022. With a background in managing non-profit youth camps, he focuses on undergraduate and graduate youth development courses. Dr. Nelson, a proud father of two and husband, previously served as a faculty member in the physical education and recreation departments before his current role in ALEC. -- The LEAD AgriLife program was created to develop the collective strength of faculty and staff across the organizations under Texas A&M AgriLife. The bridges created will lead to more research, programs and projects that are multi-department. Learn more at tx.ag/LEAD2425

Srini Ale is a Professor and Agrohydrologist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Vernon. He is an agricultural engineer by training and obtained his Ph.D. from Purdue University. He has extensive experience in hydrologic, ecosystem and crop modeling over three decades in the USA, India and the Netherlands. He has chaired/co-chaired 15 graduate student committees and supervised 10 postdocs. He has secured $16.8M in grant funding as principle investigator/co-principle investigator, published 103 journal articles and delivered 184 conference presentations and 33 invited talks. -- The LEAD AgriLife program was created to develop the collective strength of faculty and staff across the organizations under Texas A&M AgriLife. The bridges created will lead to more research, programs and projects that are multi-department. Learn more at tx.ag/LEAD2425

The latest Texas Land Trends report from the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute reveals significant changes in the state's agricultural landscape over the past 25 years. Drawing from extensive sources—including the U.S. Census Bureau, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, independent school district land value and land use data, and the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Census of Agriculture—the report comprehensively examines how Texas' working lands are evolving. Take a look here: tx.ag/TXLandTrends25