The V.G. Young Institute of County Government, part of The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, provides continuing education for elected county officials across the state of Texas.

Texas A&M 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 a part of the Texas A&M 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 A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the V.G. Young Institute of County Government are well positioned to serve county government and the citizens of Texas.

Schools for County Officials

The Institute annually offers continuing education schools for county judges and commissioners and county tax assessor-collectors.

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.

Advanced Training

Advanced training for county officials beyond the state mandated educational requirements is an important part of the Institute’s efforts. Partnering with the County Judges and Commissioners Association and the Texas Association of Counties, the Institute worked to develop the Commissioners Court Advanced Curriculum (CCAC) Program, an advanced certification for county judges and commissioners.

The Institute also offers a two-year advanced leadership program for Texas commissioners court members, the Commissioner’s Court Leadership Academy.

Staff of the Institute also work with the Texas Association of Counties to plan the educational program for the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas. The Institute also assists in planning for the county judges and commissioners regional association conferences. Staff of the Institute assist these associations with all details relating to their annual conferences as requested. The Institute serves as the official educational sponsor for other programs, conferences, and seminars for county leaders in Texas.

In addition to educational programs, seminars and schools, the Institute serves as an important resource on county government for the state of Texas.

Regional judges and commissioners associations often call on Institute staff to assist in interpreting their association by-laws and offer advice on actions of the association. The Institute frequently fields calls from County Extension Agents, county officials and members of the public concerning county government topics.