Mission and Focus:
The mission of the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton is to develop and disseminate new technology to serve rural and urban producers and consumers of agricultural and related products and services.
Focus:
The focus of the AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton is discovery of new economically and environmentally significant agricultural principles and technology transfer of these principles and production applications. Research projects are designed to yield decision-making information to increase efficiency and quality of agricultural production; maintain or enhance quality of the environment and natural resources; and to identify and address new emerging issues. This approach aids clientele to maintain profitable production and benefits consumers by ensuring consistent supplies of high quality products at equitable cost. The role of AgriLife Research is to conduct basic and translational research under East Texas conditions and to relate research from other locations to the solution of production and environmental problems here. Faculty at Overton maintain frequent contact with clientele of the region and keep informed of the research needs as viewed by these citizens. Research at Overton is focused on providing new knowledge which will enhance efficiency and quality of agricultural production and environmental quality in East Texas and meet future needs of an expanding clientele.
Research Programs:
AgriLife Research at Overton targets specific needs that must be addressed in the East Texas ecosystem. Contributors to East Texas’ $5.2 billion annual agricultural income include livestock and meat (26%), nursery (22%), poultry (16%), timber (13%), feed crops, including hay (10%), recreational and ag related (6%), miscellaneous crops/livestock (4%) and dairy (3%). Research programs at Overton address livestock, dairy, hay and horticulture, with some attention to forestry and rural recreational aspects; this relates to 80% of the agricultural income production of the region. Research programs are listed below.
- Forage-/Based Livestock Systems (project areas)
- Soils
- Small Grains and Ryegrass Breeding
- Forage Legume Breeding
- Pasture Establishment and Management
- Forage Production and Utilization
- Reproductive Physiology
- Horticultural Production Systems
- Ornamental Plant Production
Resident Director:
Dr. Charles R. Long
PO Box 200
Overton, TX 75684
Phone: (903) 834-6191
Fax: (903) 834-7140
E-mail: c-long@tamu.edu
Personnel:
48 employees (31 Research, 17 Extension)
Established:
Since 1887, Texas AgriLife Research has been an integral part of the Texas A&M System. AgriLife Research is the state’s only agency dedicated to research and technology development in food, agriculture and natural resources. There are 13 AgriLife Research and Extension Centers serving the specific research needs of each region and for agricultural and urban citizens across the state. The center at Overton was established in 1967.
Facilities:
The Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton is located within the city limits approximately 2 miles north of downtown. The headquarters facility totals 28,186 square feet and provides an auditorium which seats 275, classroom, kitchen, video conferencing, offices and laboratories. In addition, six greenhouses, one head house, chemical storage building and shop are provided. Land for the headquarters building was donated by the Bruce McMillan Jr. Foundation and the J. T. Montgomery family. Research is conducted on 1,200 leased acres of pasture, forest and plot area.
