The Office of External Relations, under the direction of the vice chancellor for agriculture and life sciences, communicates the needs, priorities and relevance of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory to outside interests. The External Relations team is the primary point of contact for elected officials, government agencies and external stakeholders at the state level. In addition, the Office of External Relations collaborates with The Texas A&M University System Office of Government Relations. Through strategic communication and interaction, the office maintains consistency and coordination of contact with supporters while promoting numerous programs and initiatives.
External Relations Leadership
Joe Cox
Associate Vice Chancellor
[email protected] | 512.542.7830
Joe Cox, a native Texan from Belton, serves as associate vice chancellor for External Relations for Texas A&M AgriLife, reporting to the vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences, The Texas A&M University System. He represents Texas A&M AgriLife agencies before the Texas Legislature and other external interests.
Previously, Mr. Cox served as a legislative director, chief of staff, committee clerk and senior policy analyst in several legislative offices in the Texas House of Representatives, including Speaker of the House, focusing on policy areas of agriculture, natural resources, environment and energy. Prior to his work in the Texas House, Mr. Cox was employed by a private government relations firm representing a broad spectrum of business clients. In various capacities, he has worked fourteen legislative sessions.
Mr. Cox graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in government. He earned his master’s degree in political science at Texas State University. Remaining close to his roots, Joe resides in Bell County where he manages his family’s multi-generational livestock operation with his wife and three daughters.
Julia Lancaster Crane
Government Relations Officer
[email protected] | 512.542.7830
Julia Lancaster Crane has been serving as the government relations officer for External Relations since 2018. She joined AgriLife after working for a small fundraising firm managing several state and federal candidates. Before turning to public service, Julia spent several years in corporate sales for a top outdoor brand. Julia graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and has completed a certificate in Public Service Administration from the Bush School of Government and Public Service.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
1303 San Antonio Street, Suite 850
Austin, Texas 78701
88th Legislative Session Resources: Exceptional Item Requests
Multi-Agency
Keeping Texas Prepared (PDF)
The following priority request seeks support for the disaster response efforts of five state agencies.
Texas A&M AgriLife Research
These priority requests to the Texas Legislature seek support for AgriLife Research exceptional items — initiatives that seek to address urgent challenges facing Texas agriculture.
Intelligent Agricultural Systems (PDF)
Texas A&M AgriLife Research aims to invest in increased equipment and personnel to move agricultural production systems toward an improved paradigm that combines advanced sensor technology, digital models and automated data analysis. Together, these advances will optimize operation efficiency, elevate resiliency and fortify sustainability in the state’s agricultural operations.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
These priority requests to the Texas Legislature seek support for AgriLife Extension exceptional items — initiatives that seek to respond to the state’s changing needs.
Keeping Texas Prepared: The Extension Agent Network (PDF)
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service intends to invest in increased personnel to address the education programming demands of population growth in Texas. Through the combined strength of our Disaster Assessment and Recovery (DAR) Unit and the Extension Agent Network, our agency operates as a conduit of information and a force multiplier to counties and communities in times of crisis such as COVID-19, flooding, hurricanes and wildfires.
Rural Student Success Initiative (RSSI) (PDF)
RSSI is a large-scale, proof-of-concept project that leverages the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s place-based network of county agents to provide rural school districts, students and their families with the information, tools and strategies essential to improving postsecondary access, matriculation and completion outcomes in underserved rural communities in Texas.
Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
Diagnostic Workforce for Disease Surveillance (PDF)
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory has been committed to providing superior and timely diagnostic testing services to the veterinary industry for nearly 60 years.
Texas A&M Forest Service
As a direct result of population increases, fluctuating weather patterns and changes in land use, the expanding threat of wildfires has greatly increased the Texas A&M Forest Service’s requests for state assistance.
Keeping Texas Prepared: Texas Forest Service (PDF)
As an agency with substantial responsibilities in emergency response, including wildfires and all-hazards, sustaining a properly trained and qualified workforce is critical to protecting the citizens of Texas and their property.
Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance (PDF)
Volunteer fire departments are the state’s first line of defense against wildfires with response areas covering 89% of the state. They provide essential front-line emergency services that directly protect Texans and the state’s natural resources every day.
Wildfire Suppression Aircraft (PDF)
Texas has been 100% dependent on obtaining wildfire suppression aircraft resources through federal contracts. This model works except when wildfire activity is high across the U.S. and competition for resources becomes a problem.
Wildfire and Emergency Response (PDF)
There is a growing trend in the size and severity of wildfires and other disasters that require Texas A&M Forest Service support. This reality increases the demand for agency personnel and equipment to respond in support of local jurisdictions.