Hays County Extension Office April Closures:

Tuesday 04/02 (open after 1PM)

Tuesday 04/08

Friday 04/26

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office Provides Education on the Following Topics:

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Facebook | Events | Submit an Inquiry

  • Horticulture
  • Land Management
  • Livestock
  • Natural Resources

Hays County Master Gardener Facebook | Hays County Master Gardener Website

Hays County Master Naturalist Facebook | Hays County Master Naturalist Website

Family and Community Health

Facebook | Events | Submit an Inquiry

  • Health and Nutrition
  • Food Handler Licensing
  • Food Preservation and Food Safety

4-H

Facebook | Events & Deadlines | Submit an Inquiry

Youth

Submit an Inquiry

  • Youth Curriculum for Schools:
    • STEM
    • Anti-Bullying
    • Ag in the Classroom
    • 4-H Curriculum

  History of Hays County, Texas

The County of Hays was created by an act of the State Legislature on March 1, 1849, with the population of 387 people. It was named in honor of Captain Jack Hays, a Texas Ranger.

The city of San Marcos is located in the Southeastern part of Hays County and serves as the county seat of 678 square miles of territory. To the east of San Marcos, the Blackland Prairie with its rich, fertile soil has offered agricultural opportunities. Crops include cotton, hybrid corn seed, small grains and hay. To the west, the Hill Country is largely devoted to ranching and boasts a large tourism industry.

The largest industry employment is in state and local government, due in part to the location of Texas State University in San Marcos. Also, wholesale and retail trade make significant contributions to the economy.

Demographically, the population is rapidly growing with a total population of 241,365 in 2020, growing by 53% in the last decade.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service plays a vital role in Hays County. We provide practical information and education to help people make their lives better and to help our communities and neighborhoods address their problems. Extension education programs promote economic development, environmental stewardship, family health and well-being, youth development, and better understanding of agriculture. The Texas Community Futures Forum (TCFF), a state-wide needs assessment, was sponsored by TCE in February of 2004. The following issues were identified as most important in Hays County:

  • Water: conservation, quality, quantity, environment, protection and development of resources
  • Economic Development: job growth, diversification, more jobs
  • Increase in Family Values
  • Taxes: financing public education, reduction of property taxes
  • Roads and Transportation: maintenance, planning, control, ridership on public transportation