“Just here to help the new farmers learn agriculture,” says Freestone County’s newest extension agent, Omari Muhammad.
During a conversation with him in February, Omari shared that he has seen a trend in Freestone County of city people coming into the area, wanting to start small farms.
“Whatever their passion is, when they come out here and buy their acres – 10, 20 or 100 acres — I’m just here to educate them on what they can do with that land, whether it be cattle, or grazing with hay, or just little small plots to grow some vegetables,” said Omari. “I’m just here to serve.”
Originally from the city himself (Ft. Worth), Omari is the eldest of six children. “I have four sisters and one brother.”
His mother is an educator, and his father has his own printing company.
“I grew up in the city,” said Omari. “But with my grandparents, in the summertime I grew up in the country. That’s where I got my passion for ag.”
His parents were “very excited” when they heard he was going into the field of agriculture, said Omari.
Ag & Natural Resource Agent Omari Muhammad graduated from Prairie View A&M University in 2016 with a B.S. in Agriculture.
He began working in Freestone County on September 15, 2022 – almost six months ago.
“Everybody is real open and welcoming here,” says Omari.
The agent has met with several in the community, so far. “I have a connection with the Ratcliff’s and Kimberly, she’s been the liaison for me with the producers,” he said.
Kimberly Ratcliff is ranch manager for Caney Creek Ranch of Freestone County, owned by the Ratcliff family. She serves on the USDA Advisory Minority Farmers committee; and has been an outspoken proponent for outreach efforts with ag education and resources for small landowners, particularly minority landowners.
“She’s helped me to meet a lot of people here,” said Agent Omari.
Omari serves as a multi-county agent, taking care of Freestone, and offering outreach to Anderson County, as well.
This agent’s focus is on livestock management, financial resource, and small farm outreach programs, including urban agriculture, special crops and forestry management.
“Our newest program is wildlife,” he said, which include a rotating trap system to capture wild hogs. “Populations have increased,” he said.
Omari encourages any farmers dealing with the wild hog issue to get in touch with him.
Last month’s program led by agent Omari was on Cattle Production with topics on bull soundness examination and breeding selection.
He reports having about ten people attend the two-hour program.
“Got a lot of feedback,” he said. “Everybody looking for more programs.”
For his next event, Omari said he would like to touch on hay and forestry. “And after that, crops and planting.”
Getting to be springtime, after all.
Extension Agent Omari Muhammad is available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the office in Fairfield at 440 East Main Street.
Give him a call at 903-389-3436, or contact him via email to ojmuhammad@pvamu.edu
“Leave a message and I will get back to you in 24 hours,” he said.
And look forward to more programs in 2023.
(Photo by Karen Leidy)
