Dear Extension Family,
As we embrace the changing of seasons this October, we have much to celebrate and reflect on. From our successful presence at the State Fair to the outstanding representation at the Sunbelt Ag Expo, the past month has been full of opportunities to showcase the impactful work we do every day in communities across South Carolina. This month’s Director’s Letter highlights these events, as well as exciting updates on new staff, training opportunities, and service milestones. I am proud to share these achievements with you and express my deep appreciation for your continued dedication to Clemson Cooperative Extension.
State Fair:
This year’s State Fair proudly celebrated all 46 counties of South Carolina, highlighting the unique qualities and distinct characteristics that each county brings to our vibrant state.
Clemson Extension showcased the invaluable contributions of its 10 program teams, emphasizing their diverse initiatives that enrich communities throughout the state. Highlights also included the Grain Bin Simulator and Tractor Safety displays from the Ag Mech team. Thank you to all the program teams and agents that volunteered and visited with Stakeholders! Thank you to Becca Hedden and Lance Beecher for organizing and making sure the State Fair was a success!
As we reflect on this year’s success, we’re already gearing up for next year’s State Fair, which is scheduled for October 8 through October 19. We look forward to continuing to celebrate the remarkable work of our program teams in 2025.
Sunbelt Ag Expo, Moultrie, GA
2024 provided for yet another outstanding year at the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, GA. From ag exhibits and simulators, food safety demonstrations, to Madagascar hissing cockroaches, the 2024 Clemson building truly had something for everyone – from students to hobbyists to professionals. Thanks to special funding from Extension administration, the 2024 Clemson building featured several updates and improvements including the addition of a porch and concrete pad. These updates were certainly noticed and appreciated by many, including Sunbelt Executive Director, Chip Blalock, who made it a point to stop by on the opening day!
Each member of the Clemson Sunbelt team did a phenomenal job and devoted numerous hours ensuring our building would be amazing in 2024. Aside from representing Clemson at the Expo with their exhibits, our Sunbelt team members spent weeks in preparation, transport, set-up, and tear-down. The same thing can be said for Hunter Massey and the Ag Mech students that travel to Clemson. Thank you to each of you for all your efforts. For those who have interest in participating in the 2025 Sunbelt Ag Expo exhibit, please reach out to Millie Davenport or Brian Callahan.
The 2024 Sunbelt Ag Expo Farmer of the Year was Ty Woodard of Woodard Farms in Darlington, SC, and was nominated by David DeWitt. Ty and his wife, Tracy, did a truly wonderful job of representing farming, family, and agriculture for our state. It was truly an honor for our entire team to get to work with them and know them a little bit better this year. To learn more details about Woodard Farms, check out the official press release at https://sunbeltexpo.com/2024-farmer-of-the-year-ty-woodard-south-carolina/. Special thanks to David DeWitt for serving as the nominator for our 2024 Sunbelt Farmer of the Year. We are already brainstorming nominees for the 2025 Sunbelt Farmer of the Year program. For anyone interested in potentially making a nomination, please feel free to reach out the Brian Callahan for more information.
Special thanks to the Millie Davenport for coordinating the building and so many of the small details that come along with it. Thank you as well to Extension and CAFLS administration for the continued financial investment in Sunbelt activities, and to Dr. Dobbins, Dr. Privette and Dean Holt for visiting the Sunbelt Ag Expo.
Go Tigers!
Brian Callahan
5 K Day at the Union County Agricultural Fair
In 1996, Union County Clemson Extension Office started the 5K Day at the Union County Agricultural Fair and we have continued that tradition since. 5K Day is designed to teach kindergarten students about agriculture and how our food is produced. The program has grown throughout the year, and we are fortunate to be able to offer this to all the kindergarten classes in Union County. In total we have all 4 elementary schools attend the program. Each year we have between 250 to 300 kindergarten students attend the program, along with chaperones and volunteers.
Each class rotates through nine stations where they spend five minutes learning about the specific agricultural commodity. The stations consist of beef cows, dairy cows, goats, horses, chickens, rabbits, bees, and crops. The crops station focuses on cotton, corn, soybeans, and vegetables that are planted by the Union Clemson Extension Office as a demonstration garden for the fair.
This program would not be possible without the help of agents from neighboring counties and several local volunteers.
Salesforce:
Helpful Tips:
- Please bookmark the salesforce link https://clemson.my.salesforce.com
- You may add a Team Member to an Interaction or a Program Event. To do so, create the interaction and save and then view the interaction. Once you scroll you will see a box for “Team Members” where you can add assisting users. For program events, view the Details tab on Program Event record and you can add an assisting user as well.
- Please see the “Agent Activity – EPMS Summary” for a snapshot of your activities. You may clone this report and save it to make edits and learn how the report works.
The Salesforce Advisory Group continues to host office hours on Mondays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. via https://clemson.zoom.us/j/96691555805?from=addon
Service Milestones:
I would like to congratulate the following on their service milestones to Clemson University:
- Terri Sumpter, Sumter County 4-H Youth Development Agent, 30 Years
- Becca Hedden, Reporting and Staff Development Coordinator, 10 Years
Congratulations!
Becca Hedden graduated in the fourth cohort of CU Grow participants!
Project: Civil Rights Compliance Course – A collaboration between Clemson Cooperative Extension Service and CU Online for all Extension staff to complete that will enhance staff knowledge and awareness of civil rights compliance.
New Employees
Please help me welcome the newest members of our Extension family:
- Robert Carter: Forestry & Wildlife Agent, Kershaw County
- Cateya Davis: Administrative Assistant, Abbeville County
- Allie Trotter: 4-H Agent, Greenwood County
- Toni Heriot: 4-H Agent, Kershaw and Lee Counties
- Dr. Maria Bowie: Director of Extension Center for Health Outreach Center (ECHO)
- Katie Silver: livestock and Forages Agent, Aiken and Edgefield Counties
- Mallory Fulmer: 4-H Youth Development Agent, Newberry County
Job Openings
We have new openings to fill with talent. The following positions with their job ID numbers are currently posted on the Clemson Careers website. http://www.clemson.edu/careers
- South Carolina Botanical Garden Visitor Services Assistant Manager, Clemson, 109366
- Extension Wildlife Damage Associate, Clemson, 109367
- 4-H Agent, Charleston County, 109420
- Forest & Natural Resource Agent, Dorchester County, 109419
- Extension Wildlife Damage Specialist, Extension Assistant Professor, Clemson, 109411
- 4-H Youth Development Agent, Laurens, 109381
- Extension Educator, Climate Smart, Florence, 109382
- Horticulture Agent, Sumter, 109281
- Account & Fiscal Analyst, Sandhill REC- Columbia, 109418
IN CLOSING …
Thank you for your tireless commitment to Extension’s mission and the communities we serve. Whether you’re preparing for the next event, engaging with stakeholders, or celebrating milestones, your work is vital and truly appreciated. Please take time to rest and recharge as we head into the remainder of the year and continue making a difference in the lives of those around you. I look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the coming months.As always, please take good care of yourselves and your families, and thank you for what you do for Clemson Cooperative Extension.
