During our visit with the County Extension Agent and IPM specialist in Port Lavaca, we gained hands-on exposure to crop management practices and equipment. The agent introduced us to various types of machinery, including mobile spray vehicles and harvesters, and explained how they are used to manage and maintain large-scale agricultural operations.

We also had the opportunity to visit a cotton field during the mid-season growth stage. Here, we examined healthy cotton plants laden with multiple bolls and learned about the growth cycle, flowering, and boll development. This in-field experience offered a practical understanding of how crop health is monitored and managed throughout the growing season. Additionally, the visit included a look at a small experimental plot for snap peas, although the discussion primarily focused on cotton production, which is a major crop in the region.

The final field trip took us to the Nueces County Extension Office, where we learned about the broader scope of extension work beyond pest management. The county agent shared how extension services support the community through producer education, 4-H youth programs, disaster response, and technical assistance. We gained a greater appreciation for the multi-faceted role extension plays in strengthening both agriculture and the wider community.