JACKSON — Farmers will see yet another new face at the Northampton County Cooperative Extension Office.

Recently, Lee Tyre, 22, was added to the staff as a Livestock and Consumer Horticulture Agent.

The Nash County native, who resides in Red Oak, graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in animal science just days before he was selected to fill the position at the Extension Office. Tyre said he graduated May 9 and was hired May 18.

Though he is from Nash County, Tyre said he is familiar with the area. His brother graduated from Chowan University in Murfreesboro and the hunting club Tyre is a member of is near Scotland Neck.

While Tyre seems to be settling into his new role with ease, he admitted there was a time being an agricultural extension agent didn’t seem to be in the cards.

“For quite a while I knew I wanted to work with livestock, but didn’t know in what capacity,” he said. “It’s not like I settled for Extension, this was a different option.”

Tyre grew up in a farming family as his father and both of his grandfathers owned and operated farms. From the time he was young he was around livestock and crops like tobacco and soybeans.

“That was our summer job, we were always in the fields,” he said.

With that background, involvement in the 4-H Club and Future Farmers of America came as second nature.

The desire to help people led Tyre to Cooperative Extension and so far the experience has been diverse and one where he is still learning the ropes.

“I’ve enjoyed it a whole lot,” he said about working the office so far. “Everyone has been very nice and welcoming. I’m still learning what exactly the role is.”

Tyre said the job brings a sense of spontaneity as he works on both ends of the county looking at different plants and animals.

“You never know what you’re going to get,” he said.

Tyre said he has a passion for agriculture and helping the community and farmers. One of his goals is to create a livestock judging team in Northampton to get involved with Skillathon, where youth are quizzed on their knowledge of farm animals.

Tyre said he’s looking forward to helping to make farmers’ lives easier and to make agriculture more sustainable and productive in Northampton County.

“We’re here to help the farmers,” he said.

Those interested in forming or being involved in a livestock judging team can contact Tyre at 534-2711.