[{"id":102,"date":"2026-06-04T03:20:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T03:20:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/?p=102"},"modified":"2026-06-04T03:20:01","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T03:20:01","slug":"applications-are-now-open-for-the-south-carolina-state-disaster-relief-block-grant-for-helene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/2026\/06\/04\/applications-are-now-open-for-the-south-carolina-state-disaster-relief-block-grant-for-helene\/","title":{"rendered":"Applications are now open for the South Carolina State Disaster Relief Block Grant for Helene"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Written By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/cafls\/faculty_staff\/profiles\/bnf\">Bethany Funkhouser<\/a><br>Edited by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/cafls\/faculty_staff\/profiles\/chmaxwe\">Charley Maxwell<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2024, Hurricane Helene impacted millions, including countless farms in South Carolina and surrounding states. Applications are now open for the South Carolina State Disaster Relief Block Grant for Helene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This grant is an online-only application open from May 12, 2026, through July 11, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAn eligible producer is a producer located in an eligible locality that suffered an eligible loss as a direct result of Hurricane Helene and had an ownership share and a production risk in the crop, livestock, or timber (including timber rights).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, an eligible producer is a person or legal entity that must be a:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>citizen of the United States;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>resident alien; for purposes of this part, resident alien means \u201clawful alien\u201d as defined in 7 CFR part 1400;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>partnership consisting solely of citizens or resident aliens of the United States;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>corporation, limited liability corporation, or other farm organizational structure organized under State law consisting solely of citizens or resident aliens of the United States; or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Indian Tribe or Tribal organization, as defined in section 4(b) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)\u201d (South Carolina Department of Agriculture).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The loss must have occurred in counties that received a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Helene to be eligible. If you are not sure whether your county is included, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/agriculture.sc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SCDisasterGrantMap2025_AmendedFinal.pdf\">click here<\/a> to see which counties are eligible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Losses covered by this block grant include necessary expenses related to infrastructure losses, market losses, future economic losses, and timber losses <strong>not covered by other USDA programs or crop insurance.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information as to what would be considered eligible, you can visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/agriculture.sc.gov\/divisions\/agency-operations\/grants\/helene\/\">SCDA South Carolina Disaster Relief Black Grant for Helene Webpage<\/a> and <strong>scroll down to eligible losses<\/strong>. Please also note that documentation will vary depending on the type of loss. Required documentation, acreage certification form, and linkage requirements can also be found on the same webpage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All information in this blog post was obtained from the SCDA South Carolina Disaster Relief Block Grant for Helene Webpage. Please note that this blog post does not tell you whether you are eligible or whether you meet every single requirement. It is imperative to read the SCDA webpage in its entirety or reach out for assistance (see information below) to understand all requirements for applying for the grant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Assistance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For assistance with applying for the grant and verifying your losses, you can reach out to Clemson Cooperative Extension or the Soil and Water Conservation District for agricultural loss assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Find your local Clemson Cooperative Extension Office here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/extension\/co\/\">https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/extension\/co\/<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Find your local Soil and Water Conservation District office here: <a href=\"https:\/\/dnr.sc.gov\/conservation\/\">https:\/\/dnr.sc.gov\/conservation\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For assistance with timber loss, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scfc.gov\/management\/landowner-services\/hurricane-helene-timber-block-grant\/\">click here<\/a> or email <a href=\"mailto:blockgrant@scfc.gov\">blockgrant@scfc.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Link to SCDA South Carolina Disaster Relief Black Grant for Helene Webpage: <a href=\"https:\/\/agriculture.sc.gov\/divisions\/agency-operations\/grants\/helene\/\">https:\/\/agriculture.sc.gov\/divisions\/agency-operations\/grants\/helene\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All links throughout the blog post can also be found on the webpage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sex, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Written By Bethany FunkhouserEdited by Charley Maxwell In 2024, Hurricane Helene impacted millions, including countless farms in South Carolina and surrounding states. Applications are now open for the South Carolina State Disaster Relief Block Grant for Helene. This grant is an online-only application open from May 12, 2026, through July 11, 2026. \u201cAn eligible producer [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4082,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[112610],"tags":[],"coauthors":[112607],"class_list":["post-102","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-funding-programs"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4082"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=102"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=102"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=102"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=102"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=102"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":101,"date":"2026-06-02T01:27:29","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T01:27:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/?p=101"},"modified":"2026-06-04T03:22:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T03:22:32","slug":"hurricane-preparedness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/2026\/06\/02\/hurricane-preparedness\/","title":{"rendered":"Hurricane Preparedness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Written By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/cafls\/faculty_staff\/profiles\/chmaxwe\">Charley Maxwell<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30. You may be thinking that we could really use a hurricane to get us out of this drought. While a hurricane can bring substantial rainfall and storm surges, it is important to remember that hurricanes are actually considered <strong>wind<\/strong> events. The speed of the wind, in mph, is what classifies the weather event as a tropical depression, tropical storm, or hurricane. This distinction becomes very important when insurance and government assistance come into play. Any flooding or water damage brought by the hurricane often has to be handled separately and may be excluded from hurricane insurance policies and relief programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether this is your first hurricane season ever, or you consider yourself a seasoned pro, it&#8217;s important to take each storm seriously. Complacency can result in devastation. Whether Jim Cantore is planning to come to town or not, prepare for each storm like it&#8217;s &#8220;the big one.&#8221; Below are 10 simple steps to make sure your farm, family, and land can be resilient during storm season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Review Your Insurance Coverage Early<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t wait until a hurricane is in the forecast. Contact your insurance provider before storm season begins to understand exactly what your policies cover. Review crop, livestock, property, and equipment coverage and make sure your records are up to date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. Create an Emergency Contact List<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep a current list of important contacts in an easily accessible location. Include local emergency management offices, veterinarians, utility companies, insurance agents, neighbors, family members, and Extension personnel. A printed copy can be invaluable if power or internet service is lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. Map Your Farm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A detailed farm map can save valuable time during an emergency. Include buildings, roads, gates, fences, livestock locations, utility shutoffs, hazardous material storage areas, and safety equipment. Make sure family members and employees know where to find the map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. Document Your Property Before the Storm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take photos and videos of buildings, equipment, livestock, crops, and infrastructure immediately before a storm. These records can be critical when filing insurance claims and documenting losses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5. Check Your Inventory<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Evaluate supplies before hurricane season. Make sure you have adequate feed, fuel, medications, fencing supplies, generators, batteries, and other essential materials. Supply chains may be disrupted for days or weeks after a major storm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>6. Prepare Backup Power and Lighting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Inspect generators, test equipment, and stock sufficient fuel. Ensure flashlights, batteries, and portable lighting are available and working properly. Reliable power can be essential for livestock operations, irrigation systems, and refrigeration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>7. Clean Up Around the Farm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remove debris and secure loose items that could become dangerous projectiles during high winds. Trim damaged tree limbs, secure equipment, and store movable items indoors whenever possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>8. Update Farm Records<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep copies of production records, inventories, insurance documents, financial records, and livestock information. Store digital copies in a secure cloud location and maintain hard copies in a waterproof container.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>9. Store Chemicals Safely<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Protect fertilizers, pesticides, fuels, and other hazardous materials from flooding and storm damage. Secure containers properly and ensure storage areas meet safety recommendations to prevent environmental contamination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>10. Act Quickly After the Storm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once conditions are safe, assess damage across the farm. Document losses with photos and notes before beginning major cleanup activities. Contact insurance providers, USDA offices, and other assistance programs as soon as possible to begin the recovery process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A hurricane preparedness plan is an investment in your farm&#8217;s resilience. Taking time now to organize records, secure facilities, and develop emergency procedures can help protect your operation, reduce losses, and speed recovery when severe weather strikes. Sometimes, relief from government programs can be delayed by months or years. If you experienced damage from Hurricane Helene, please look into the <a href=\"https:\/\/agriculture.sc.gov\/divisions\/agency-operations\/grants\/helene\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/agriculture.sc.gov\/divisions\/agency-operations\/grants\/helene\/\">South Carolina Disaster Relief Block Grant for Helene<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Feeling overwhelm from all of this information? Contact your closest <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/extension\/agribusiness\/team.html\">Agribusiness Extension Agent<\/a>, and we will help!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Written By Charley Maxwell Hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30. You may be thinking that we could really use a hurricane to get us out of this drought. While a hurricane can bring substantial rainfall and storm surges, it is important to remember that hurricanes are actually considered wind events. The speed [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4082,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[112603],"tags":[],"coauthors":[112607],"class_list":["post-101","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-risk-management"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4082"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=101"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=101"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=101"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=101"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=101"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":97,"date":"2026-05-20T02:56:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T02:56:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/?p=97"},"modified":"2026-05-20T03:06:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T03:06:15","slug":"resource-list-for-mental-health-awareness-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/2026\/05\/20\/resource-list-for-mental-health-awareness-month\/","title":{"rendered":"Resource List for Mental Health Awareness Month"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"580\" height=\"280\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2026\/05\/farmermentalhealth.png\" alt=\"AI Image Generated by Canva\" class=\"wp-image-98\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2026\/05\/farmermentalhealth.png 580w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2026\/05\/farmermentalhealth-300x145.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">AI Image Generated by Canva<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>Author: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/cafls\/faculty_staff\/profiles\/bnf\">Bethany Funkhouser<\/a>, Area Agribusiness Agent<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Farm Bureau, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fb.org\/initiative\/farm-state-of-mind\">multiple studies show<\/a> that farmer suicide rates are 2-5 times higher than the national average. There are countless factors, such as natural disasters, fluctuating prices, and much more, that make farming an extremely stressful occupation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>May is mental health awareness month. This year has been extremely difficult for many farmers. While that\u2019s known within the farming world and even outside the farming world, there is still a stigma around speaking out about mental health challenges. Yet so many people around us are struggling. Whether it\u2019s a farmer who has been farming for 50 years or 2 years. Or even a farmer trying to keep a family farm that has been around for 150 years, or a farmer starting one from scratch. Someone you know is facing mental health challenges, and you may not even know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s take this month to recognize and understand the resources for farmers facing mental health crises. Check on your neighbor, your friend, your family. Share resources that might make a difference for someone. And if you are facing any mental health challenges, these resources are for you, too. Don\u2019t be afraid to use any of these resources or reach out to a loved one and\/ or someone you trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by dialing 9-1-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1 (800) 273-8255 (TALK)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SC Farm Bureau: Free counseling services for farmers and farm families: 1 (800) 968-8143<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Veterans Crisis Line: 1 (800) 273-8255, Press 1<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>National Suicide Prevention Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/chat.988lifeline.org\/\"><strong>National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Crisis Chat<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/afsp.org\/when-someone-is-at-risk\/\"><strong>American Foundation for Suicide Prevention \u2013 About Suicide<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/projectextreme.org\/crisis-intervention\/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23594187252&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADbeKpa5-w_kylBABeBaG2t8OBb0y&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAh5XNBhAAEiwA_Bu8FXW6vskR8q6tMQAovBRbFaPcInkLS6BZee48KJ5-IaO1J7YCp_KkQhoCcAYQAvD_BwE\"><strong>Crisis Text Line: Text \u201cLEV\u201d to 741741<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veteranscrisisline.net\/\"><strong>Veterans Crisis Line<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SC&nbsp;Suicide Prevention&nbsp;Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are experiencing symptoms of depression or have suicidal thoughts,<strong>&nbsp;reach out for help locally:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.suicide.org\/hotlines\/south-carolina-suicide-hotlines.html\"><strong>South Carolina Suicide Hotlines<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sc211.org\/\"><strong>South Carolina 211<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>SC Farm Bureau &#8211; SC AgriWellness Program<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Free counseling services for farmers and farm families.&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp;Call 1-800-968-8143 to be connected with a trained professional<\/strong>. Mention that you are calling as part of the SC AgriWellness program.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.scfb.org\/farmstress\"><strong>Click here for more information<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Farm Bureau State of Mind<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The American Farm Bureau Farm State of Mind campaign builds awareness to reduce stigma and provides access to information and resources that promote farmer and rancher mental health wellness, which can be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fb.org\/initiative\/farm-state-of-mind\">found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sex, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Author: Bethany Funkhouser, Area Agribusiness Agent According to Farm Bureau, multiple studies show that farmer suicide rates are 2-5 times higher than the national average. There are countless factors, such as natural disasters, fluctuating prices, and much more, that make farming an extremely stressful occupation. May is mental health awareness month. This year has been [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4082,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[112609],"tags":[],"coauthors":[112607],"class_list":["post-97","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mental-health"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4082"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=97"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=97"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=97"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=97"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=97"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":91,"date":"2026-02-24T18:03:26","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T18:03:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/?p=91"},"modified":"2026-02-24T18:04:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T18:04:10","slug":"tough-topic-tuesday-burnout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/2026\/02\/24\/tough-topic-tuesday-burnout\/","title":{"rendered":"Tough Topic Tuesday: Burnout"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/cafls\/faculty_staff\/profiles\/chmaxwe\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/cafls\/faculty_staff\/profiles\/chmaxwe\">Charley Maxwell<\/a>, Area Agribusiness Agent<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We are less than 50 days into 2026, and you may feel like it\u2019s been at least twice that long. The weather has been wild, market news has not been particularly favorable, and data centers are trying to pop up like Dollar Generals. Right now, you may be feeling a mix of anxiety and motivation for this new growing season. We have entered the months when winter plans start to be put into action. Soon enough, we will be in full swing, when there don\u2019t seem to be enough hours in the day, and something is always breaking down. So, how do we enter this growing season with positive motivation and the intention of avoiding burnout?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Step one is understanding what burnout is and is not. Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress. It is not stress or feeling overwhelmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>You may be asking yourself, \u201cHow is burnout not stress if it is brought on by prolonged or repeated stress?\u201d<\/em> Stress can be labeled as good or bad- it is simply your body\u2019s response to everyday pressures. Repeated and prolonged stress that is not good, exciting, or motivating leads to burnout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"546\" height=\"546\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2026\/02\/burnoutgraph.png\" alt=\"This graph shows the correlation between performance and stress levels. Some stress can grab our attention and motivate us to our peak performance levels; additional stress added on can lead to anxiety, anger, and\/or panic, which leads to burnout if not addressed.\" class=\"wp-image-92\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2026\/02\/burnoutgraph.png 546w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2026\/02\/burnoutgraph-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2026\/02\/burnoutgraph-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2026\/02\/burnoutgraph-50x50.png 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 546px) 100vw, 546px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>This graph shows the correlation between performance and stress levels. Some stress can grab our attention and motivate us to our peak performance levels; additional stress added on can lead to anxiety, anger, and\/or panic, which leads to burnout if not addressed.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Step two is recognizing when you have reached the point of burnout. Someone who is burned out can be characterized by physical, emotional or mental exhaustion, accompanied by decreased motivation, lowered performance and negative attitudes towards oneself and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If you are wondering how close you are to burnout, you can take a quick assessment at <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/kandiwiens.com\/burnout-quiz\/\"><em>https:\/\/kandiwiens.com\/burnout-quiz\/<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Step three is making adjustments to avoid or resolve burnout. Managing stress is the key. Setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, practicing mindfulness and relaxation, and seeking support are four key individual strategies to managing stress. Adaptations of these strategies will vary from individual to individual. SC AgriWellness is a free service for South Carolina Farm Families. If you are feeling burned out or consistently dealing with overwhelm and stress, SC AgriWellness is a resource available to you. Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/extension\/agribusiness\/resources\/farm-stress.html\">Farm Stress Management<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To start this season on the best foot forward and with a plan to reduce stress, consider these questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What caused the most stress last season?\n<ol start=\"1\" style=\"list-style-type:lower-alpha\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If it were something you could control, like time management or record-keeping, what can you put in place now to relieve that stress?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If it were beyond your control, such as drought or hurricanes, have you considered insurance options and production practices to mitigate the impacts?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are you organized for this season?\n<ol start=\"1\" style=\"list-style-type:lower-alpha\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Record-keeping system in place.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seed and inputs already in hand or ordered.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inventory is up to date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Planting dates are roughly scheduled.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00a0A marketing plan is in place, and any contracts have been signed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Labor is lined up.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Equipment has been serviced.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What are your work-life balance non-negotiables?\n<ol start=\"1\" style=\"list-style-type:lower-alpha\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Make sure any important dates (weddings, sporting events, birthdays, anniversaries, etc) are clearly on every calendar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintain social interactions off the farm. They give you a break and some distance that can provide perspective.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prioritize any religious services you attend.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enjoy your morning coffee or tea, take small breaks and moments throughout the week.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Following the mission, vision, values and goals of your operation will help keep you grounded throughout the season. Give yourself grace for the things you cannot control that may shift scheduling or outcomes. When overwhelm or stress becomes consistent, take a break. Not only does efficiency go out the window when you reach burnout, but the risk of farm accidents increases. Take care of yourself this season so you can best care for your crops, land, and livestock.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Charley Maxwell, Area Agribusiness Agent We are less than 50 days into 2026, and you may feel like it\u2019s been at least twice that long. The weather has been wild, market news has not been particularly favorable, and data centers are trying to pop up like Dollar Generals. Right now, you may be feeling a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4082,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"coauthors":[112607],"class_list":["post-91","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4082"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=91"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=91"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=91"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=91"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=91"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":86,"date":"2026-01-06T16:20:47","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T16:20:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/?p=86"},"modified":"2026-01-06T16:24:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T16:24:24","slug":"2025-sc-livestock-market-summary-4th-quarter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/2026\/01\/06\/2025-sc-livestock-market-summary-4th-quarter\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 SC Livestock Market Summary &#8211; 4th Quarter"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"295\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2026\/01\/SC-LMS-Grahpic-300x295.png\" alt=\"SC Livestock Market Summary Graphic\" class=\"wp-image-88\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2026\/01\/SC-LMS-Grahpic-300x295.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2026\/01\/SC-LMS-Grahpic-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2026\/01\/SC-LMS-Grahpic.png 744w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The fourth quarter of 2025 brought changes to both the national beef cattle markets and the South Carolina auction market. In mid-October, the feeder cattle futures price fell sharply, disrupting the steady increase in prices seen since summer 2024. This reflects changes to beef cattle markets more broadly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For South Carolina auctions, feeder steer and heifer prices experienced moderate declines in Q4. Comparing average prices in October compared to December, steer prices fell $17 for 4-weights, $12 for 5-weights, and $34 for 6-weights. Average prices for heifers over the period fell $10 for 4-weights, $11 for 5-weights, and $5 for 6-weights. <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2026\/01\/2025-Q4-LMS_2.pdf\" data-type=\"attachment\" data-id=\"87\">Read the full market summary report<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The fourth quarter of 2025 brought changes to both the national beef cattle markets and the South Carolina auction market. In mid-October, the feeder cattle futures price fell sharply, disrupting the steady increase in prices seen since summer 2024. This reflects changes to beef cattle markets more broadly. For South Carolina auctions, feeder steer and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4082,"featured_media":88,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[112601],"tags":[],"coauthors":[112607],"class_list":["post-86","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-livestock-marketing"],"fimg_url":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2026\/01\/SC-LMS-Grahpic-150x150.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4082"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=86"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/88"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=86"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":83,"date":"2025-12-10T14:26:42","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T14:26:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/?p=83"},"modified":"2025-12-10T14:27:35","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T14:27:35","slug":"jeff-wilson-named-2025-south-carolina-sunbelt-ag-expo-farmer-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/2025\/12\/10\/jeff-wilson-named-2025-south-carolina-sunbelt-ag-expo-farmer-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Jeff Wilson Named 2025 South Carolina Sunbelt Ag Expo Farmer of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"340\" height=\"219\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-10-at-9.23.23-AM.png\" alt=\"Jeff Wilson Photo\" class=\"wp-image-84\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-10-at-9.23.23-AM.png 340w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-10-at-9.23.23-AM-300x193.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 340px) 100vw, 340px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Jeff Wilson<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Clemson Extension Agribusiness Team congratulates Jeff Wilson of Cotton Hills Farm on being named the <a href=\"https:\/\/sunbeltexpo.com\/2025-farmer-of-the-year-jeff-wilson-south-carolina\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/sunbeltexpo.com\/2025-farmer-of-the-year-jeff-wilson-south-carolina\/\">2025 South Carolina Sunbelt Ag Expo Farmer of the Year.<\/a> Jeff was nominated by Clemson Extension Agribusiness Program Team Director <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/cafls\/faculty_staff\/profiles\/akantro\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/cafls\/faculty_staff\/profiles\/akantro\">Dr. Adam Kantrovich<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/cafls\/faculty_staff\/profiles\/BOYLES2\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/cafls\/faculty_staff\/profiles\/BOYLES2\">Ben Boyles<\/a>, Clemson Extension Agribusiness Agent, in recognition of his outstanding leadership, innovation, and long-standing commitment to South Carolina agriculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This honor recognizes farmers who exemplify excellence in production agriculture, conservation, business management, and community leadership. Jeff\u2019s selection places him among an elite group of producers who shape the future of agriculture in the Palmetto State and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cottonhillsfarm.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.cottonhillsfarm.com\/\">Cotton Hills Farm<\/a>, a fifth-generation family operation in Lowrys, South Carolina, encompasses approximately 1,000 acres of diversified production including row crops, produce, and cut flowers. The Wilson family has built a farm business rooted in diversification, sustainability, and direct-to-consumer engagement, creating a model that is both economically resilient and deeply connected to the community. Their on-farm market, u-pick operations, and agritourism enterprises have become a cornerstone of local food access in their region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cJeff has a remarkable ability to innovate while staying deeply rooted in the traditions that make family farms successful,\u201d said Ben Boyles, Clemson Extension Agribusiness Agent. \u201cHis sons work directly alongside him on the farm, and seeing his grandchildren already eager to be involved speaks volumes about the culture they\u2019ve built. Cotton Hills Farm is truly a multi-generational operation in every sense of the word.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to on-farm innovation, Jeff is widely respected for his willingness to mentor other producers, share knowledge, and serve as a leader within South Carolina\u2019s agricultural community. His dedication to conservation reflects a deep respect for natural resources, while his business diversification demonstrates the entrepreneurial mindset needed for long-term farm success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Clemson Extension, recognizing producers like Jeff Wilson reflects the heart of our mission, supporting farmers who are adaptable, forward-thinking, and deeply invested in their communities. His operation serves as a powerful example for new and beginning farmers across the state who are seeking to build profitable, sustainable, and values-driven farm businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jeff\u2019s selection as the 2025 South Carolina Sunbelt Ag Expo Farmer of the Year is a well-earned honor and a proud moment for the Lowrys community and South Carolina agriculture as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can learn more about the Sunbelt Ag Expo Farmer of the Year Program <a href=\"https:\/\/sunbeltexpo.com\/foty\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/sunbeltexpo.com\/foty\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Clemson Extension Agribusiness Team congratulates Jeff Wilson of Cotton Hills Farm on being named the 2025 South Carolina Sunbelt Ag Expo Farmer of the Year. Jeff was nominated by Clemson Extension Agribusiness Program Team Director Dr. Adam Kantrovich and Ben Boyles, Clemson Extension Agribusiness Agent, in recognition of his outstanding leadership, innovation, and long-standing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4082,"featured_media":84,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"coauthors":[112607],"class_list":["post-83","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general"],"fimg_url":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-10-at-9.23.23-AM-150x150.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4082"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=83"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/84"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=83"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=83"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=83"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=83"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":80,"date":"2025-10-06T19:56:24","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T19:56:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/?p=80"},"modified":"2025-10-06T19:56:24","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T19:56:24","slug":"2025-sc-livestock-market-summary-3rd-quarter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/2025\/10\/06\/2025-sc-livestock-market-summary-3rd-quarter\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 SC Livestock Market Summary &#8211; 3rd Quarter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Strong prices for steers and heifers continued into Q3 for 2025. Average prices for both steers and heifers across 4-, 5-, and 6-weights gained $29\/cwt over the quarter. Across all steer weights and for 4-weight and 5-weight heifers, prices over the last three months averaged over $300\/cwt. Prices observed this quarter continue to mark a substantial increase over 2024 prices in Q3 with on average prices $86\/cwt higher across both steers and heifers for all weight classes. More substantial increases were seen for lighter-weight animals and steers.  Read the full report below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2025\/10\/2025-Q3-LMS.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of 2025 Q3 LMS.\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-20fe447b-8df1-4d56-8a35-8d6390a13eb7\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2025\/10\/2025-Q3-LMS.pdf\">2025 Q3 LMS<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2025\/10\/2025-Q3-LMS.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-20fe447b-8df1-4d56-8a35-8d6390a13eb7\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Strong prices for steers and heifers continued into Q3 for 2025. Average prices for both steers and heifers across 4-, 5-, and 6-weights gained $29\/cwt over the quarter. Across all steer weights and for 4-weight and 5-weight heifers, prices over the last three months averaged over $300\/cwt. Prices observed this quarter continue to mark a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4082,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[112601],"tags":[],"coauthors":[112607],"class_list":["post-80","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-livestock-marketing"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4082"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=80"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=80"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=80"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=80"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":77,"date":"2025-09-23T00:42:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T00:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/?p=77"},"modified":"2025-09-23T00:42:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T00:42:14","slug":"benefits-of-using-social-media-marketing-for-your-agribusiness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/2025\/09\/23\/benefits-of-using-social-media-marketing-for-your-agribusiness\/","title":{"rendered":"Benefits of Using Social Media Marketing for Your Agribusiness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Written by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/cafls\/faculty_staff\/profiles\/bnf\">Bethany Funkhouser<\/a>, Area Agribusiness Agent<br>Edited by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/cafls\/faculty_staff\/profiles\/BOYLES2\">Ben Boyles<\/a>, Area Agribusiness Agent<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"468\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2025\/09\/chickencomputer.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-78\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2025\/09\/chickencomputer.png 468w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2025\/09\/chickencomputer-297x300.png 297w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2025\/09\/chickencomputer-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2025\/09\/chickencomputer-50x50.png 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>To say there are forever-growing ways to get your agribusiness in front of more and more people would be an understatement. From word of mouth to a website, and now, social media. When we say social media, we aren\u2019t only talking about viral videos of people dancing. We are also talking about the countless agribusinesses that have used various social media platforms to grow awareness of their agribusinesses and promote sales and their products and services, all through social media marketing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, what exactly is social media marketing? Social media marketing is a digital form of marketing that allows you to use social media platforms to enhance your branding and marketing strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Social media marketing can be beneficial in numerous ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Creating Your Voice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With social media marketing, you can share your story more widely. You can share exactly why you do what you do with your customers and potential customers. All while standing behind your core values and creating a unique factor. You can share your goals with your community and let them help you achieve them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Think of creating your own voice through posts. However, you can also create your voice by sharing your mission, vision, and core values in different ways. One example would be to share the beginning stages of a product and incorporate why that drives your purpose or mission. This could be a post that showcases your mission while still showing your product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Making Connections<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While you are creating your own voice with social media marketing, you can also make connections. There are endless possibilities, whether you are connecting with new customers or strengthening connections with existing customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But customers aren\u2019t the only connections up for grabs with social media marketing. It can also be beneficial to make connections and network with other agribusinesses. When considering your connections with other agribusinesses, ask yourself, \u201cHow can we help each other?\u201d Not every agribusiness out there is your competition. In fact, many agribusinesses surrounding you could work alongside you, and you could promote each other and gain a whole new set of potential customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One example might be to partner with another agribusiness. Maybe they have a product\/ service that complements yours. By working together, you can make that connection and connect with more customers by collaborating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Promoting Your Agribusiness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This strategy may be obvious, but the most direct benefit of social media marketing is promoting your agribusiness. Every agribusiness will have many different goals with social media, but they should all lead back to sales. Think of social media as a direct marketing channel to promote and sell your products at any time of the day. Nobody should be able to go on your social media platforms without seeing how to buy your products, whether leading people to your website to showcase your products or having a pinned post where people can purchase your products each week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another way to promote your products might be by showcasing them in cooking videos or recipes. Not every promotion has to be a direct link to your product\/ service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is just the tip of the iceberg of using social media as a marketing tool. Understanding your audience, knowing when and what to post, and analyzing your post performance are all part of the next steps as you begin marketing your agribusiness on social media.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Written by Bethany Funkhouser, Area Agribusiness AgentEdited by Ben Boyles, Area Agribusiness Agent To say there are forever-growing ways to get your agribusiness in front of more and more people would be an understatement. From word of mouth to a website, and now, social media. When we say social media, we aren\u2019t only talking about [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4082,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[112608],"tags":[],"coauthors":[112607],"class_list":["post-77","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-marketing"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4082"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=77"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":75,"date":"2025-09-23T00:37:24","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T00:37:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/?p=75"},"modified":"2025-09-23T00:37:24","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T00:37:24","slug":"having-difficult-conversations-on-the-farm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/2025\/09\/23\/having-difficult-conversations-on-the-farm\/","title":{"rendered":"Having Difficult Conversations on the Farm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Written by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/cafls\/faculty_staff\/profiles\/bnf\">Bethany Funkhouser<\/a>, Area Agribusiness Agent<br>Edited by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/cafls\/faculty_staff\/profiles\/chmaxwe\">Charley Maxwell<\/a>, Area Agribusiness Agent<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"540\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2025\/09\/GlowBarn.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-76\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2025\/09\/GlowBarn.png 540w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2025\/09\/GlowBarn-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>There are countless times on and off the farm that we have avoided having a conversation. Maybe you thought the repercussions of the conversation weren&#8217;t worth it, or you didn&#8217;t want to hurt anyone&#8217;s feelings. No matter the reason, everyone is still in the same boat of putting off a crucial conversation. Many farms are family ran or made up of employees who are like family, and it can be difficult to have hard conversations with these individuals. It&#8217;s not impossible, and we are going to discuss some ways to ease the anticipation of these conversations and how to make these difficult conversations something that doesn&#8217;t seem so scary. It&#8217;s important to remember that in a business setting, your business should be set as the priority. When we mix family and business, determining which has priority can make a difficult conversation even harder. One of the first difficult conversations you may have is deciding to run your family farm business as a business first, and not a family farm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, you want to understand the why behind the conversation. Sometimes we don&#8217;t take the time to think about what to say, turning the conversation hostile quickly. Understand why you are bringing up this conversation. Do you have an employee who is always late? Ask yourself why this is an issue, if you have addressed the issue in the past, and what your farm&#8217;s policy is for being late. All these are valid questions to ask yourself. You may not have a written late policy, but you have expressed your concerns multiple times. Be prepared to explain this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Or maybe you aren&#8217;t the farm owner, but you\u2019re one of the children who has responsibility and is ready to take on more in preparation for transitioning the farm. If this conversation hasn&#8217;t started yet, it can be challenging to bring up, but understand your why and be prepared to explain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest thing to remember when explaining why is not to place blame or anger on the individual. Try avoiding using \u201cI\u201d statements as they can become defensive and unintentionally place blame. For example, you sit down with your employee who is always late and say,&#8221; You are always late, and I feel like you aren&#8217;t taking your job seriously.&#8221; The first thing your employee is likely to do is lash out or go into a shell because you just told them they don&#8217;t take their job seriously. If we have not addressed the issue yet, it can be easy to make these assumptions and cause conflict. Instead, consider approaching the conversation by checking on them: &#8221; I&#8217;ve noticed you have been late a lot recently, and I wanted to check and make sure everything is okay.&#8221; Or maybe this is not the first time having the conversation, so consider making clear expectations. If you need to have the conversation again, you have a clear why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The next thing to consider is where you are having the difficult conversation. A popular farm-related saying you may have heard is to take the conversation away from the dining room table. This goes back to running your farm as a business first operation. Having difficult conversations at the dining room table or sitting in the living room can easily take away the business-first approach, making difficult conversations sticky. Go back to the why of your conversation to figure out where to have your conversation. Maybe it is a finance-related issue. If so, consider setting up a time to meet with your financial advisor\/ consultant. Let them be the middleman who has the facts and can help walk you through the conversation. If this isn&#8217;t a family conversation, remember to have the conversation with your employee in an appropriate setting. Walking down a hallway or having a conversation in front of five other people is not where you should be doing it. Instead, set up a meeting in your office so your employees understand the importance of the conversation and that everyone&#8217;s expectations are understood from the beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The next thing you want to do to ease difficult conversations is to ensure everyone&#8217;s roles are clearly defined. We touched on this briefly in our examples, but making sure everyone understands their responsibilities and expectations can change the outcome or even the need for certain conversations. This includes everything from extremely detailed role descriptions to a policy manual for everyone working on the farm. The easiest thing you can do is to expect no one to know what you expect without it being in writing. What is considered late? To some people, it may not be late until five minutes after you clock in. Others may expect you to be settled and do a task by clock-in time. You can\u2019t expect someone to know this without telling them. If your operation is family only, it is still crucial to have clearly defined roles and have in writing what is expected from each family member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, it is crucial to understand the personalities of the individuals involved in your operation. It&#8217;s easy to say we know our families\u2019 personalities, but do you understand how they react in different situations? Knowing this information can easily change the direction of a difficult conversation. By knowing this, you can prepare the conversation for them specifically. There are many different personality tests available. Many are free of charge, and there are some with more details for which you can pay a fee. If you have employees, consider making the assessment a part of the onboarding process. For employees\/ family who have been a part of the operation for a while, make some time for everyone to take the assessment so they can better understand themselves, and you can better understand them as well. And don&#8217;t forget to take the assessment yourself. You can learn a lot about yourself and your leadership style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, considering all of this, the last thing to do is have the conversation. No matter if you have the conversation two days or two weeks from now, it is still going to be difficult. Crucial conversations are going to be hard, but that doesn\u2019t mean there will be conflict or that they are negative. Being prepared for the conversation by considering the ideas above (and more) could help ease the difficult conversation and lessen the possibility of unnecessary conflict.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Written by Bethany Funkhouser, Area Agribusiness AgentEdited by Charley Maxwell, Area Agribusiness Agent There are countless times on and off the farm that we have avoided having a conversation. Maybe you thought the repercussions of the conversation weren&#8217;t worth it, or you didn&#8217;t want to hurt anyone&#8217;s feelings. No matter the reason, everyone is still [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4082,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[112603],"tags":[],"coauthors":[112607],"class_list":["post-75","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-risk-management"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4082"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=75"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":73,"date":"2025-09-23T00:32:13","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T00:32:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/?p=73"},"modified":"2025-09-23T00:33:43","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T00:33:43","slug":"preparing-for-the-unexpected","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/2025\/09\/23\/preparing-for-the-unexpected\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing For the Unexpected"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>Written by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/cafls\/faculty_staff\/profiles\/bnf\">Bethany Funkhouser<\/a>, Area Agribusiness Agent<br>Edited by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/cafls\/faculty_staff\/profiles\/chmaxwe\">Charley Maxwell<\/a>, Area Agribusiness Agent<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"538\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2025\/09\/storm.png\" alt=\"Storm\" class=\"wp-image-74\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2025\/09\/storm.png 538w, https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2025\/09\/storm-300x214.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 538px) 100vw, 538px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Every day in life, something happens that we didn\u2019t expect. Sometimes these are small, minuscule things that we might not even recognize, and at other times, those unexpected events turn our world upside down and change the course of our lives. We never know when these events will happen, and we can never be fully prepared to handle these situations. But we can take extra measures to help prepare for the unexpected. As an agribusiness owner, you must account for all your business details on top of your personal information. While nobody wants to think of events happening that anyone would need to know all this information, I urge you to focus on your family instead. If you are in a situation where you can&#8217;t tend to your business, focus on your family instead of the idea of the events that could take place. Think of how your family will pick up the pieces. Consider valuable information that can ease the burden for your family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We are going to break this information into two categories. We have personal information and farm information. Let\u2019s start by looking at what personal information you should have documented and stored in a safe place if someone needs to access it in an emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Basic Personal Information:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, think of the basics. Your birthday, social security number, personal phone numbers, address(es), driver&#8217;s license information, church affiliation, etc. It would be beneficial to include the same information for your spouse. Also include basic information for your children, such as names, numbers, and addresses. We also want to include usernames and passwords to social media accounts, which include emails and Dropbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Personal Bills\/ Contacts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, we want to think about bills and contacts.  Include a list of all your bills in your name and any login information to access more details. An example would be insurance. If necessary, include the name, contact, policy number, and login information. Also, list finances such as bank account(s) information, credit cards, and investments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Personal Documents:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We want to compile personal documents such as your birth certificate, marriage certificate, social security card, power of attorney documentation, and wills\/ trusts\u2014financial statements, vehicle titles, etc. There is a very good chance that you already have these documents in a safe and secure place. There is no need to move them or make additional copies, but you can list the location where they are stored and any passwords needed to access them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Personal Assets:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We should also include assets and anything of extreme value to you\/ and or your family. This can include things like homes, land, vehicles, jewelry, antiques, and more. You should include where the asset is located, the title, value, and any other pieces of information that might be useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Medical Information:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, we will include medical information such as your current medication, allergies, pharmacy, and any doctors you visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This might seem like a lot of personal information to gather, but remember, you already have most of this information somewhere, and including your personal information in your files might help in a situation you can&#8217;t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, we are going to prepare information for the farm. First, you should have your business structure information, such as your agribusiness name, what structure you operate under, tax ID information, and any other owner(s) information. Make sure you include all businesses you have ownership of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Farm Finances:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, we want to include our farm finances. This would consist of any lines of credit you have, insurance policies, loans\/ mortgages, and bills paid through the farm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Farm Documents:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where a lot of information will be stored. First, we can look at financial documents such as accounts receivable and payable, tax returns, balance sheets, income statements, etc. If this information is overbearing for this section, you can always add it under farm finances. Next, we should include documents such as contracts and leases, including conservation contracts, grain contracts, machinery lease agreements, and even your pesticide license or any other certifications you keep for your farm. Lastly, we want to consider property documents, including a map of the farm with everything labeled, repair manuals, and keys (properly labeled). Consider including other documentation crucial to running and\/ or managing your farm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Farm Contacts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, we can move on to farm contracts. This section should include anyone who helps keep your farm running daily, monthly, or yearly. Everyone from your loan officers, financial advisor, government agencies you work with, and specific vendor contacts. Having these contacts on hand can make a significant difference for someone who has never worked directly with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Farm Inventory:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, we need a list of all the inventory on the farm, including equipment, machinery, buildings, animal\/ grain inventory and all other assets. Include item description, model number, purchase price, year purchased, ownership value, and where it is located. Like much other information we are compiling in this file, it is probably already stored elsewhere. If it is more convenient, you can find the information instead of relisting it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tasks and Duties:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, list tasks that must be done for your farm to continue running. When adding these tasks, list what they are, when they are done, who usually does them, and where (if more information is needed).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is always more to consider, such as employees and unique things that keep your farm running. Ideally, we want to update this information when anything changes. At the least, the information should be checked thoroughly and updated every six months to a year if there are no major changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is best to keep all this information in a space that is easiest and most accessible to keep updated. One beneficial resource is Purdue University&#8217;s Code Red Excel file: <a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/department\/extension\/wia\/codered.html\">https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/department\/extension\/wia\/codered.html<\/a>. The Excel file contains tabs to include everything listed above and then more. With this Excel, you can also make it password protected. Always give a copy to your spouse, lawyer, or someone you trust, and leave a copy in a lock box.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Written by Bethany Funkhouser, Area Agribusiness AgentEdited by Charley Maxwell, Area Agribusiness Agent Every day in life, something happens that we didn\u2019t expect. Sometimes these are small, minuscule things that we might not even recognize, and at other times, those unexpected events turn our world upside down and change the course of our lives. We [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4082,"featured_media":74,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[112603],"tags":[],"coauthors":[112607],"class_list":["post-73","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-risk-management"],"fimg_url":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/files\/2025\/09\/storm-150x150.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4082"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=73"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/74"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=73"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=73"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=73"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/agribusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=73"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}]