Clinton Laflin’s path in agriculture has taken him across Kansas and Oklahoma, but it has ultimately led him back home. Laflin recently returned to Greenwood County to serve as the K-State Research and Extension Agriculture Agent, beginning the role last Monday, Jan. 5. He brought with him more than a decade of Extension experience and a lifelong connection to the cattle industry.
A Greenwood County native, Laflin grew up on his family’s commercial cow-calf operation, Double Arrow C Ranch, near Eureka. He began schooling in Eureka but attended school in Pratt during his elementary years before returning to Eureka for sixth grade and graduating from Eureka Junior/ Senior High School in 2008.
Agriculture has long been a central part of Laflin’s life. He represents the fifth generation of registered Angus breeders on his father’s side of the family and operates C Bar L Cattle Company, a registered Angus operation serving both commercial producers and the seedstock sector. Locally, his moth-er’s family also has deep ranching roots, with his late grandfather Clint Huntington having operated a registered Hereford ranch before transitioning into a commercial cow-calf operation that remains predominantly Angus- based today.
Following high school, Laflin attended Butler Community College, where he competed on the Livestock Judging Team from 2008 to 2010. He later earned a dual bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and Agricultural Communications from Oklahoma State University in 2012, followed by a master’s degree in International Agriculture with a business emphasis in 2014.
“I always knew I wanted to be in agriculture,” Laflin said. “I just didn’t know where it would take me.”
Encouraged by mentors, Dr. Bob Kropp and Dr. Clint Rusk, Laflin began exploring Extension as a career. He started as a 4-H Extension Agent in Tulsa, Okla., where he served for two and a half years. That role also carried personal significance as his grandmother, Irlene Huntington, began her career with K-State Extension in the 1950s.
In July 2017, Laflin accepted a livestock-focused Extension agent position in Russell. He remained in Russell until Dec. 2025, working extensively with producers on livestock management, range management, and cattle selection.
While his professional career continued to grow, Laflin knew he wanted to return to Greenwood County when the timing was right. When the local Extension position became available recently, the decision to come home was clear.
“Moving back allows me to take a more active role in our family’s cow-calf operation and to keep a promise I made to my granddad,” Laflin said.
In Greenwood County, Laflin looks forward to working across multiple areas of Extension, including livestock production and 4-H youth development.
“In rural communities, not everyone moves back home,” he said. “I felt that with my background in the cattle industry and my Extension experience, I could bring a useful outside perspective while still understanding the local challenges.”
Laflin remains active in the livestock industry beyond his Extension role. He continues to judge beef cattle shows at local, state, and national levels, with experience judging in seven U.S. states as well as Canada and Mexico. His hobbies include attending cattle sales and shows, traveling, fishing and spending time with family and friends.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without Greenwood County,” Laflin said. “Being able to return and give back to this community is something I’m truly excited about.” Laflin is the son of Heather and Cory Fuesz of Eureka and Guy and Wendy Laflin of St. Ignatius, Mont. He is the grandson of Irlene and the late Clint Huntington of Eureka and Barbara and the late Bob Laflin of Olsburg.
Laflin is based at the Greenwood County Extension Office in the Greenwood County Courthouse and can be reached by phone at 620583-7455 or by email at cllaflin@ ksu.edu.
