Commissioners Court Leadership Academy Tax Assessor-Collectors County and District Clerks Judges and Commissioners Treasurers

The V.G. Young Institute of County Government (Institute) is a part of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and The Texas A&M University System. Located in College Station, the Institute works to meet the educational needs of county officials and the public by anticipating, identifying, and addressing the challenges and opportunities faced by Texas county government. The Institute fulfills this charge by offering various educational programs, published reference materials, and counsel to county officials, community organizations, and citizens across the state. The Institute is dedicated to the Extension mission: “providing quality, relevant outreach and continuing education programs and services to the people of Texas.”

History and Overview

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service serves every county in Texas, with a network of 1,400 employees across the state and a presence in all 254 counties. Through this extensive network, county judges and commissioners have received educational programs from Extension for over five decades. Recognizing the need for a formal organization to provide educational programs for county officials, the Texas Legislature created the V.G. Young Institute of County Government in 1969. As the importance of continuing education for county officials rose, the Institute began providing educational programs for county and district clerks as well as county treasurers in 1973. County tax assessor-collectors began receiving continuing education from the Institute in 1982. 

The work of the Institute is guided by the County Officials Advisory Committee, comprised of a representative from Texas’ county officials professional associations. Partial funding for the Institute’s efforts is derived from state and federal appropriated dollars; however, most funding for the Institute’s programs and activities is generated by conference and seminar tuition.

As a part of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and The Texas A&M University System, the Institute has many valuable resources at its disposal. The Institute often looks to these resources to assist with educational programs. With 12 Research and Extension Centers located across the state and a presence in all 254 counties, the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the V.G. Young Institute of County Government are well positioned to serve county government and the citizens of Texas.

Conferences and Seminars

The Institute annually offers continuing education conferences and seminars for county judges and commissioners, county treasurers, county and district clerks, and county tax assessor-collectors.  These seminars attract county officials from all areas of the state and are known for providing accurate, timely information and well respected speakers.  Attendees earn accredited hours of continuing education that apply toward their state-mandated continuing education requirements. 

The faculty and staff of the Institute work with the officers and education committees from the various elected officials organizations to plan relevant and effective educational programs. The Institute handles all