EDIA INQUIRESBlair Fannin, Texas A&M AgriLife, blair.fannin@ag.tamu.edu Office: 979.803.1264 Cell: 979.575.5599 ***MEDIA ADVISORY*** Texas A&M AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension leaders to discuss recent construction announcements in Texas High Plains during Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show Key leadership from Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will be available for interviews on Nov. 29 at the Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show to discuss The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents approval of a $30 million construction project to move the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Amarillo onto the campus of West Texas A&M University and $15 million to rebuild and enhance the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Vernon and Texas A&M AgriLife Foundation Seed, which sustained damages from a tornado in May 2022. The new building at Canyon is expected to be completed by summer 2025 and will house 60 employees of AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension. The co-location of these two Texas A&M AgriLife agencies, along with the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory and West Texas A&M will allow each to capitalize on their complementary strengths. The Regents’ announcement on both the Amarillo and Vernon construction support expanding research programs in beef cattle, small grains, environmental quality, natural resources, pest management, crop systems and bioenergy. The construction projects are part of an expanded agricultural research, education and outreach mission of Texas A&M AgriLife and come on the heels of a groundbreaking of an Animal Reproductive Biotechnology Center in Bryan a week ago. WHEN: Nov. 29, Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show, Amarillo Civic Center. Texas A&M AgriLife leaders will be available to the media during the following times: · Jeffrey W. Savell, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences o Nov. 29, 9:30-10 a.m. · G. Cliff Lamb, Ph.D., director, Texas A&M AgriLife Research o Nov. 29, 9:30-11:30, 1:30-2:30 p.m. · Rick Avery, Ph.D., director, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service o Nov. 29, 8:30-10 a.m. · Brent Auvermann, Ph.D., Director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Amarillo. o Nov. 29, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. DIGITAL ASSETS: Images and b-roll footage available at the AgriLife Photoshelter. ADDITIONAL MEDIA CONTACTS: Kay Ledbetter, Texas A&M AgriLife, kay.ledbetter@ag.tamu.edu Office: 806.677.5608 ### Would you like more information from Texas A&M AgriLife? Visit AgriLife Today, the news hub for Texas A&M AgriLife, which brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System, or sign up for our Texas A&M AgriLife E-Newsletter. For more resources including photo repository, logo downloads and style guidelines, please visit the Resources for Press and Media. | 
