Brad Cowan is one of the few third-generation county extension agents in Texas.
His family has been part of Texas Cooperative Extension for 73 years. That’s quite an accomplishment considering the post has only been in existence 100 years.
Brad’s grandfather, Vernon F. Jones, began his service with the Texas Cooperative Extension in Lynn County in January 1934. He moved to Lamb County, where he worked from 1939 to 1944. After he resigned, he got into the grain elevator business in Tahoka and later served as Lynn County judge.
Brad’s father, Don Cowan, then followed his father-in-law’s lead in 1956, when he took on the post in Denton County. This was followed by stints in Carson County from 1958 to 1963, and Cameron County from 1963 until he retired in 1986.
Brad said his father’s and grandfather’s example, and the 10 years he spent in 4-H — the Extension’s youth program — influenced his decision to become a County Extension Agent in 1979.
He was born in Lubbock and graduated from San Benito High School in 1973. He earned his B.S. in animal science in 1977, and his M.E. in agricultural education in 1979, from Texas A&M University.
He then began his career as an extension agent in Montgomery County in 1979. In 1984, he transferred to Galveston County, where he served until 1989 before coming to Hidalgo County in 1989, where he is currently County Extension Agent-Agriculture and Natural Resources.Brad leads local programs for cotton, sorghum, corn, sugar cane, vegetable, citrus and beef producers. One of his major programs is agricultural water conservation education.
“I like working with people, and I like the diversity of things we do,” Brad says.
He has been active in Texas County Agricultural Agents Association, having served as state treasurer and president. While president, he played a key role in establishing the TCAAA Foundation.
Brad received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agriculture Agents in 2000. He said this award holds special significance to him, because both his grandfather and father received the award in 1943 and 1984, respectively.