February 2023: Monthly Director’s Letter

Dear Extension Family,

It feels like spring outside, and the coming weeks are packed with various Extension events. Don’t forget to add your events to our calendar. Instructions on how to do so are provided in a detailed guide. I also encourage you to visit our news feed monthly to learn about programmatic efforts across the state your colleagues are involved in.

Clemson Extension Senate Onboarding

Congratulations to Mr. Jason Gore and Ms. Faith Isreal, who developed and implemented a successful Clemson Extension Senate Onboarding training for the executive committee and senators. The training was held on the Clemson campus and focused on expectations, duties, bylaws and committees. An interactive parliamentary procedures workshop was conducted by Mr. Quadri Bell from US Congressman Jim Clyburn’s office. The day closed with an evening social during which Extension Senate representatives presented an impressive 2022 Yearly Report of accomplishments.

47th Annual Clemson Bull Sale

I would like to recognize Dr. Steven Meadows, the director of the 47th Annual Clemson Bull Sale sponsored by Clemson Cooperative Extension, the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and the SC Cattleman’s Association. The event was a huge success, and records were set for the top-selling bull sold for $38K and the average sale price of $5,988. The sale coordination was a team effort with assistance from the Livestock and Forages team and its Program Team Director, Mr. Lee Van Vlake, along with Dr. Brian Bolt and Dr. Matt Burns.

County Agent Promotions

Thank you to all county Extension Agents, Program Team Directors and District Extension Directors who completed the survey regarding suggestions for possible revisions to the current county agent promotion process. The County Agent Promotion Review Committee has met and is compiling the responses to each survey question. I will share recommendations with everyone once they are provided to me. I would like to thank the committee members for their service: Ms. Deon Legette, Dr. Will Culler, Dr. Matt Burns, Ms. Faith Isreal, Mr. Michael McManus and Mr. Derrick Phinney.

State Budget Priorities

It is that time of year again for the state budget process. Please visit the budget priorities website if you would like to review the FY 2023-24 recurring and nonrecurring requests made by Clemson PSA. Meanwhile, there will be an avid display of green coloring the State House steps on March 7 as we celebrate SC 4-H Legislative Day.

Upcoming

• There are upcoming internal deadlines, events to mark on your calendars, and award nominations and funding to recognize and support our stakeholders. The deadline to submit EPMS materials to your Program Team Director is June 1. It will be here before you know it, so please begin to compile your information if you have not already started. Giving yourself adequate time to do so will ensure you do not forget to report on any of your diligent work. Contact your District Extension Director if you have any questions or need guidance. Additionally, mark your calendar for early August when CUMIS closes for the reporting period from July 2022 to June 2023.
• The solicitation of nominations for the 33rd anniversary “Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year” Award has been announced. This award is open to any farmer or member of a farming family actively involved in the agriculture industry and at least 21 years of age. Please consider nominating a stakeholder in honor of their dedication to South Carolina agriculture. More information and a link to the nomination form are available in the Extension Employee News Blog post. 
• To broaden educational opportunities for South Carolina farmers, Clemson Extension SC New and Beginning Farmer Program (SCNBFP) is launching a mini-grant program for those interested in partnering with us to plan and deliver new workshops. Ten mini-grants will be awarded, and workshops are scheduled for December 2023–March 2024. Qualified farmer-educator applicants internal and external to Clemson University are welcome and encouraged to apply. Please visit the Blog post for details.
• The 43rd Annual South Carolina Association of Extension Administrative Professionals (SCAEAP) Conference will be held in Columbia from April 27–28. Registration will open within the next few weeks. Details and contact information are available in the Blog post.
• The 2023 South Carolina Association of Agricultural Agents (SCACAA) Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference will be held in Rock Hill from May 10–12. Specialists with an Extension appointment are encouraged to attend. Registration will open in mid-March, and details and contact information are available in the Blog post.

I strongly encourage participation from all whom the above-listed meetings are relevant for, especially our new employees. Please visit the New Hires and Transfers Blog post for a list of new team members, and help me welcome them.

Email Signature Update Required

The University’s division, formerly University Relations, is now the Division of Marketing and Communications. There have been some branding updates, one being new email signatures. Please take the time to update your email signature. The guidelines for formatting the new signatures are available on the CAFLS branding website. A display sample is available on the website, and you can copy/paste it into your signature settings and customize the fields. Directions for different email applications and mobile devices are available at the bottom of the webpage.

As always, please take good care of yourselves and your families, and thank you for what you do for Clemson Cooperative Extension.

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.