Dana Tarter
11708 Hwy 70 South
Vernon, TX 76384-8361
Vernon, TX 76385-2159
Dr. Dana Tarter is currently serving as the Regional Program Leader for Family & Community Health and 4-H Youth Development at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, a position she has held since January 2014. Based at the Vernon Research and Extension Center, she provides strategic, and programmatic leadership to County Extension Agents across both the Central Region encompassing the Rolling Plains (District 03) and Central (District 08) of Texas.
With over three decades of experience in community-based health and youth programming, Dr. Tarter has held numerous roles within the Extension system, including County Extension Agent positions in Kaufman, Mitchell, Wichita, and Howard counties. In 2001, she joined the Tarrant County team as a County Extension Agent for Nutrition & Health and in 2008 was appointed County Extension Director. In these roles, she led urban educational initiatives, focusing on public health, nutrition, and community engagement.
Tarter holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of North Texas, a Master of Public Health from the University of North Texas Health Science Center, and a Ph.D. in Family Studies from Texas Woman’s University. She also has a professional certification in Public Health.
1983 - AS - Vernon College (Vernon Regional Junior College)
1986 - BS - University of North Texas (North Texas State University)
2005 - MPH - UNT Health Science Center - School of Public Health
2019 - PhD. in Family Studies - Texas Woman's University.
Distinguished Service & Continued Excellence - Texas and National Associations of Family & Consumer Sciences
Distinguished Service - Texas and National Associations of Extension 4-H Agents
Superior Service - Agency Leadership - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Regents Fellow - Texas A&M University System