Texas Porch

Agricultural Heritage

Smith County hired what is considered the first county agricultural agent in the U.S. to supervise a single county, in 1906

In 1906, Smith County brought on what historians have called the first county agricultural agent in the nation to supervise a single county exclusively.

Smith County History & Culture

In 1906, Smith County hired what historians call the first county agricultural agent in the United States to supervise a single county to supervise a single county. A county agent is someone who brings farming research and advice straight to local farmers. Smith County's hire set an early pattern for county extension offices that later spread across the country.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension traces part of its roots to this step in Smith County. Today the Smith County AgriLife Extension office still helps local farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners. It gives advice on crops, livestock, water, and land. The Handbook of Texas, listed below, documents the 1906 hire.

Source to confirm: Handbook of Texas — Smith County

More Smith County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two offices handle your property tax in Smith County

The Smith County Appraisal District sets your property value; a separate tax office collects what you owe.

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Homestead Exemption

File a homestead exemption to lower your Smith County tax bill

If your home is your primary residence, you can file a homestead exemption with Smith CAD to reduce the taxable value.

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Over-65 Exemption

Turning 65 freezes your school taxes in Smith County

Once you qualify for the over-65 homestead exemption, your school taxes cannot go higher than the amount you paid in your first qualifying year.

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Appraisal Protest

You can protest your property value in Smith County

If you think Smith CAD valued your property too high, you have the right to protest — and the deadline is printed on your appraisal notice.

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