Category: Agriculture

Since the days of George Washington, the United States has been surveying farmers about their farm operations to monitor the health of the nation’s agricultural industry and the security of the food supply.

The effort started in 1791, when Washington wrote to farmers requesting information on land values, crop acreages, crop yields, livestock values and taxes. Washington’s survey extended 250 miles north and south, and 100 miles east and west of his home in Mount Vernon, which today would encompass Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

In 1839, the census became official when congress appropriated $1,000 for, “carrying out agricultural investigations and procuring agricultural statistics.”

Now the USDA’s Census of Agriculture spans the entire nation and is released every five years.

Today on Earthly, Jonathan talks to agricultural economist Nathan Smith about the 2022 census, which was released in February.

Smith is going to help us understand what the census says about the health of the nation’s agricultural industry and how South Carolina is faring.

Episode Transcript

Census of Agriculture
Clemson Extension Agribusiness Team
New and Beginning Farmers Program

The world’s population has quadrupled in the last century and is expected to surpass 8 billion by 2050. This means that in the next 25 years or so, the world will need to produce about 60% more food to feed its estimated population.

Furthermore, we’ll need to produce that food sustainably in unseasonable temperatures, drought and flood conditions, all while fighting disease and pests, and on less land.

Jonathan talks to Clemson plant geneticist Rick Boyles on this episode of Earthly.

Boyles is one of many researchers worldwide tackling the challenge of feeding a growing global population through plant breeding.

Boyles is going to give some background in plant breeding, talk about advances modern technology have brought to the plant breeding process, and hopefully leave us with room for optimism.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

SHOW NOTES

Clemson receives FFAR grant to promote sorghum health benefits
Clemson reseacher developing new line of wheat to withstand Southeast growing conditions
Clemson rejoins forces with collaborative group to kick-start small grains program
Clemson researcher studying sorghum’s resistance to fall armyworm

Retirees and warm-weather seekers aren’t the only ones clamoring to move to the state of South Carolina. The Palmetto State is also under extreme pressure from invasive insects and plants that could devastate its agriculture industry and forests. In fact, a recent global report estimates that invasive species cause countries $423 billion a year in damage to crops, water, forests, wildlife, and more.

In this episode of Earthly, Jonathan talks to Steven Long about South Carolina’s fight against invasives.

Long is assistant director of a state program that works with Clemson Cooperative Extension Agents, researchers and other state and federal agencies to battle insects, plants and plant diseases that are already here or are trying their best to get here.

He gives an update on some notorious invaders we’re currently battling, and others that we’re trying to keep out.

Transcript

SHOW NOTES

Giant African Land Snail

Spotted Lanternfly

Box Tree Moth

Clemson Department of Plant Industry

Honeybees are a crucial part of the food system. In fact, they pollinate more than 100 of the food crops we eat. But a survey by Auburn University and the University of Maryland found that 48% of honeybee colonies were lost last year. Today on Earthly I talk to two experts in the protection and cultivation of honeybees. Brad Cavin leads a program that regulates the beekeeping industry in South Carolina, and Ben Powell runs Clemson Extension’s beekeeping and pollinator program. They’re going to explain the importance of honeybees, why they might be struggling, and steps we can take to help protect them.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Clemson University Apiary Inspection Program

Clemson Extension Pollinator Program

South Carolina Bee Keeper’s Association

National Bee Survey

Varroa Destructor