JJ Jones, Oklahoma State University Extension southeast district area agricultural economics specialist, has been selected to serve as vice president of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents.
Jones was nominated for the national office by the NACAA membership in August. He is a native Oklahoman with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s in agricultural economics from OSU. After college, he worked for 10 years as an area farm management specialist for University of Tennessee Extension in Livingston, Tennessee. He then returned to Oklahoma to serve in the current role he has held for 19 years.
Jones specializes in assisting livestock producers with aspects of their financial matters, including budgeting, risk management and estate planning. His clientele approaches their livestock operations in a variety of ways, and Jones enjoys the challenge of learning their different perspectives.
“What I love about Extension is it’s a different job every day,” he said. “I enjoy working with people and helping them be successful. I provide them with the information they need to make good financial decisions, and they inspire me to understand the direction they’re coming from.”
The NACAA is a national network of statewide Extension systems geared toward Extension educators and other professionals who work in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and natural resources, 4-H youth development, community development, administration, aquaculture, and Sea Grant and related disciplines. Jones has been a member of the NACAA since joining the Extension profession in 1994.
As NACAA vice president, Jones will serve a one-year term to lead the association’s multiple committees. From 2024-25, he is expected to serve as president-elect and manage NACAA donor and sponsor business. The following year, he will take the office of president and help organize the NACAA national meeting to be held in Denver.
“I went to my first national meeting in 1996 and have been involved in NACAA committees and other various roles over the years,” Jones said. “It’s an honor to be on the leadership board.”
OSU Extension uses research-based information to help all Oklahomans solve local issues and concerns, promote leadership and manage resources wisely throughout the state’s 77 counties. Most information is available at little to no cost.
