WELCOME: New county extension agent comes in with strong background
by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Victoria County Master Gardeners
August 23, 2025
The Victoria County Extension Office team (Contributed photo)
Kara Matheney (Contributed photo)
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, in collaboration with the Victoria County Commissioners Court, is proud to announce the appointment of Kara Matheney as the new County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Victoria County.
Matheney brings with her over 16 years of experience in Extension work, previously serving in Colorado County and Washington County. A proud graduate of Texas A&M University, she holds degrees in Animal Science and Physiology of Reproduction. While in graduate school, she worked as a research and teaching assistant, sparking a deep passion for education and applied agricultural research.
Joining AgriLife Extension in 2010 allowed Matheney to merge her academic background with a strong desire to support Texas agricultural producers. Her work has consistently focused on production agriculture, producer education, and youth agricultural literacy.
“I am excited to join the team in Victoria County and continue building relationships that support both our agricultural producers and the community,” said Matheney. “Agriculture plays a critical role in the region, and I’m honored to serve the people who make it thrive.”
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is part of the Texas A&M AgriLife system, a statewide educational outreach agency that brings university-based knowledge to every Texas county. In Victoria County, AgriLife Extension works to support agriculture and natural resources, family and community health, youth development through 4-H, and community development. With the addition of Kara Matheney to the team, the office is poised to further strengthen its mission of improving lives through research-based education and community collaboration.
This collaborative effort addresses key focus areas, including: Agriculture and Natural Resources: Supporting Victoria County’s strong agricultural base which contributes an average annual farm income of $35 to $55 million, primarily from beef cattle, corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, and rice while promoting responsible environmental stewardship.
In addition to supporting the producers, the Victoria County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources provides leadership to the Victoria County Master Gardener Program which is a team of certified master volunteers charged with the mission of expanding the reach of AgriLife Extension through gardening and horticulture for both youth and adult audiences.
Family and Community Health: Empowering individuals and families through programming focused on nutrition, disease prevention, food safety, mental health, childcare, and more. Providing research-based educational programs to improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. These programs focus on various aspects, including child and adult health, nutrition, financial management, and community safety.
Youth Development: Providing meaningful learning experiences through Texas 4-H, helping youth build leadership, community involvement, and essential life skills. The Victoria County 4-H Program boasts a membership of more than 500 youth with nearly 130 adult volunteers who help lead a wide range of youth development opportunities for students in grades 3-12, aged 8-18.
The 4-H Program focuses on developing life skills like leadership, citizenship, and community involvement through hands-on experiences and project-based learning. Members can participate in various project areas, including agriculture, family and community health, natural resources, STEM, and leadership.
Disaster Assessment and Recovery: Supporting communities through a collaborative educational network dedicated to educating citizens about disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
“Victoria County AgriLife Extension plays a vital role in bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and the practical needs of the community,” Kara Matheney said. “We offer a wealth of free and affordable programs and resources tailored to the specific needs of Victoria County residents.”
Whether you’re a seasoned producer, a new landowner, a concerned parent, or someone looking to enhance your family’s well-being, AgriLife Extension provides personalized, research-based support across a plethora of topics.
For more information about programs and services offered by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Victoria County, visit https://victoria.agrilife.org or call (361) 575-4581. The Victoria County AgriLife Extension Office is located at 528 Waco Circle, Victoria, TX 77904.
Gardeners’ Dirt is published in The Victoria Advocate each weekend.