This is a time of great change for new Madison County extension agent Adam Speir and his wife, Kellie.
Both have new jobs: Adam with the county extension office and Kellie, as a fifth grade teacher at Hull-Sanford Elementary School.
The Speirs have a 14-month-old son, Noah. And the two are expecting a second child — another son — in February.
“We’ve told people at church and Kellie’s told people at her school,” said Speir of the upcoming arrival. “So I guess the cat’s out of the bag.”
While the new jobs and growing family are life-changing events, Speir can take comfort in certain old familiars, such as the love of agriculture and being a part of county extension and 4-H offices.
“My mom was an extension secretary for about 25 years,” said Speir. “So I was always in the extension office … Extension has always been something I’ve been interested in doing. I understand the importance of it for a county. And I like to help people.”
The Terrell County native, who officially takes over as Madison County’s extension agent Sept. 1, comes from a farming background. He was raised on family farmland between Americus and Albany. His dad and granddad had a variety of farming operations, including beef cattle and numerous row crops.
“Basically everything besides cotton,” said Speir.
The 2002 graduate of Terrell Academy went to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) for two years as a forestry major, then transferred to the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia, getting a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the school.
Speir said his 4-H days as a kid led him to study forestry.
“When I was in 4-H, I got interested in forestry judging,” said Speir, who replaces Carl Varnadoe, the retired long-time county extension agent. “I think forestry judging and 4-H is what pushed me on that pathway.”
The new county agent focused on soils and hydrology at UGA.
“I primarily studied soil science and looking at water use and the science related to that,” he said.
Speir stayed on the UGA campus beyond his graduation, working as a state specialist in the engineering department in the College of Agriculture, where he served as an “ag pollution prevention specialist.”
“We deal a lot with nutrient management like manure handling, chemical handling issues, fuel issues, anything that could cause water quality damage — we work in those areas,” said Speir. “I’ve gotten around the state a good bit and gotten to work with a lot of agents in northeast Georgia and a lot of the poultry growers.”
Speir said the extension office serves best when it listens before speaking.
“I always have ideas, but the priority right now is to see what are the needs of the growers and what are the needs of the county regarding agriculture and natural resources,” said Speir. “So I’m going to be in a lot of meetings the next month or two just trying to determine some things the growers need. Because that’s what extension revolves around is needs assessment.”
The new county agent added that extension provides a link between farmers and researchers.
“In a county with a lot of ag production, the extension office is kind of that link between the newest and latest university research and to the farmers out in the county so they can do a better job producing their products, being better stewards of the environment and increasing their efficiency, which ultimately helps the county, because it’s more of input economically into the county,” said Speir.
When he’s not working on ag-related issues, Speir enjoys playing guitar in the praise band at Crossroads Community Church on Hwy. 29 — his wife plays keyboard in the band. He also enjoys gardening and woodwork.
The new agent said he’s eager to get out and meet Madison County citizens and excited about providing services where ag is appreciated.
“When I was looking at coming into a county office, I knew I wanted to come into a county with a strong agricultural base and Madison County is like that,” said Speir. “They support cooperative extension.”
