Author: Donna Bowen

Information as of December 2021

General Details

• Employees who are at a higher risk for COVID-19 based on risk factors identified by the CDC should discuss their concerns with their supervisor. If additional accommodation is needed, they should discuss these concerns and possible accommodations with the University’s ADA coordinator.
• Whenever possible, meetings should continue to be virtual. When meetings must be in-person, designate a space for such purpose.
• Continue physical distancing and use of protective equipment.
• Continue closure of areas where people congregate.
• Face coverings are not required in University facilities, but remain strongly encouraged in instructional areas (classrooms, instructional labs) and research labs.
• Anyone who wants to wear a face-covering regardless of their vaccination status is welcome to do so.
• No quarantine following known exposure for fully vaccinated individuals.
• Current recommendations for physical distancing in University facilities remain in place.
  Events and large gatherings must continue to go through University protocols for approval.

Extension Offices

• Notify county government partners that the facility has reopened to the public.
• Transfer main office lines back to office phones.
• Post public health notices on all publicly accessible entrances.
• Prepare sampling areas to mitigate personal contact with the public.
• Create physical separation between all publicly accessible areas of the office and those intended to be accessed by staff only.
• Make hand sanitizer available at all entrances.
• Make supplies including, but not limited to, disinfectant wipes, disposable towels, disinfectant solution, etc. available in all commonly used areas of the office facility.
• Update sampling information on county websites and social media outlets only after the office has been deemed safely accessible to the public.
• Consider maintaining a long-term soil drop-off-only process that limits in-office interactions with the public.
• Consider delineating physical separation with marks on the floor in open spaces accessible to the public.

Extension Volunteers

Clemson Extension volunteers may return to in-person service in Stage – Yellow provided ALL the following conditions are met:

• The program-leading Extension Agent and any applicable third party or property have approved the volunteer activity.
• The volunteer follows appropriate CDC guidelines.
• Adults that have routine interaction with youth must abide by Clemson University Youth Protection Policy and Operating Standards.
• General guidance for returning to in-person volunteer service includes:
• Remain at home if you or anyone in your household is not feeling well or has a fever.
• High-risk individuals and those with significant underlying medical conditions are strongly encouraged to stay at home and take measures to limit exposure.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Try to work independently, keeping 6 feet or more apart from others.
• Frequently clean high‐touch surfaces including your cellphone/tablet, door handles, restroom surfaces, handrails, tools, etc.
• Refrain from using shared office equipment when possible. If it is necessary to use other’s equipment, sanitize between each user.

Guidance for Outdoor Service

• People should be spaced apart 6 feet or more.
• Individuals may work independently, keeping 6 feet or more apart from others in the garden.
• When possible, use your own gardening tools and equipment; shared tools and equipment should be cleaned after each use.

Communication Regarding Attendance at Educational Events

• Advise participants in advance that if they have any symptoms or feel unwell, they should not attend.

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.

On July 1 we began the implementation of the new organizational structure for Clemson Cooperative Extension. Ms. Deon Legette and Mr. Blake Lanford lead the oversight of Extension Field Operations for Personnel and Process Management, respectively, to ensure the efficient operations of Extension. The program teams are grouped into two divisions: the Division of Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Program, led by Dr. Matt Burns, and the Division of Extension Health, Nutrition, and Youth Development Programs, led by Dr. Michelle Parisi.

I would like to congratulate Mr. Chris Heintze for being selected as the new District Extension Director (DED) for the Piedmont/Midlands area. He was formerly serving in an interim position. He joins our four other DEDs, Mr. George Dickert (Upstate), Mr. Michael McManus (Pee Dee), Mr. Blake Lanford (Coastal), and Ms. Karissa Ulmer (Savannah Valley).

Some may ask why the structure is modified such that the operational channels are expanded and transferred to four people. For me, the answer comes down to the following outcomes this new structure creates:
1. Dedicated focus on Extension program improvement, innovation, and delivery.
2. Proactive leadership system.
3. Equitable operations structure to address the tremendous growth over the past seven years.
4. Support network for Extension expansion.

Those outcomes are not only vital for what they directly achieve but also for what they foster. They allow me, as the Director, to more effectively channel my passion and follow a holistic approach for Extension, Engagement, and Outreach. This will create resounding impacts on how I can engage with stakeholders, assess budget issues, and effectively strategize with our leadership team about imparting the extraordinary gift of Who We Are (https://www.clemson.edu/extension/who-we-are/index.html).

Our vision, mission, guiding principles, and code of conduct speak volumes about us and our work. We are the trusted source of unbiased, research-based information relating to agriculture, community, environment, food, health, and youth in South Carolina.

As your Director, I will make missteps at times, but the only way I can become better is for our Extension Leadership Team to critique our progress and bring opportunities and solutions to the table. Please communicate with your DEDs and PTDs if you have questions or feedback about our new structure, as your support for Extension’s growth is crucial. I am excited about our future.

On a closing note, our Extension Employees e-letter was established last April to improve and strengthen internal communications when the pandemic uprooted our everyday operations. The distribution schedule was gradually decreased in frequency, and this will be our final monthly issue. However, please provide input to your DEDs about how we may best channel our internal communications moving forward – what type of information you find most helpful as an employee, delivered at what frequency, and through what medium. Your suggestions are valuable, and we would like to hear from you.

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

Silvopasture is an intentional, intensive, integrated, and interactive system that utilizes timberland for grazing within a managed rotational grazing system. This five-part webinar series included sessions on selection of forages and forage establishment, livestock selection and management, fencing, predator management, and how the timber component is initiated through stand establishment or by thinning an existing stand. Silvopastures are not widely utilized in South Carolina; however, there has been an increased interest in learning more about this combined production setting. With the increase in requests for more information, the Livestock and Forages and Forestry and Natural Resources teams paired up to offer a Silvopasture: Forestry and Forages Webinar Series. The series is divided into two different time sessions each Tuesday during the month of March with Advanced at noon and Foundational at 2pm. Registration includes participants from three different states gaining knowledge on the components and challenges of utilizing silvopasture. The goal of this series is to introduce the concept of Silvopasture from a forestry and livestock production standpoint. Topics cover components that show participants the basics for setting up a silvopasture from existing stands or the establishment of a new silvopasture and the livestock requirements. Due to the limitation of time, pre-recorded sessions were made available to the participants. Participants could register to receive 6 CFE credits and 4 CCH credits from participation.

Submitted by: Amber Starnes, Area Livestock and Forages Extension Agent

On May 13, 2021, a free webinar was held to profile Clemson’s recent research on shellfish mariculture consumer preferences and economic impacts in South Carolina. Dr. Marzieh Motallebi organized the webinar with Clemson’s Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science and Steve Richards with Clemson Extension Agribusiness Team’s Center for Cooperative and Enterprise Development.

The webinar included shellfish consumer preference research by Clemson graduate student Sam Cheplick, oyster consumer preference research by Steve Richards, and a shellfish mariculture economic impact study by Dr. Rob Carey, Director of Clemson’s Regional Economic Analysis Laboratory. In addition, a shellfish producer needs and research assessment was presented by Dr. Motallebi and South Carolina Sea Grant’s Living Marine Resource Specialist Graham Gaines. As a special guest, Gary Spires, with South Carolina Farm Bureau, talked about the importance of shellfish growers and how SC Farm Bureau would welcome their membership and involvement.

Seventy-eight attendees registered for this webinar, representing coastal shellfish growers and researchers from Maine to Alabama, the US Department of Agriculture, the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Of the seventy-eight registered, fifty-two attended the webinar with the balance of participants downloading the recording, which can be found at https://clemson.box.com/s/eool0runedlzf2ncu5i0pg8z7x88d48q.
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Submitted by: Steven Richards, Director, SC Center for Cooperative and Enterprise Development

The official start of summer is upon us, and Clemson Cooperative Extension’s event calendar is full of programming opportunities with more in-person activities being made available. A positive trend continues for our state, with eighty-five percent of the counties in green stages due to low virus incidence rates. As you may remember, I stated in my May 18 email, Clemson Cooperative Extension in-person activities of fifty or fewer participants occurring in counties with green or yellow stages will no longer require approval from Clemson University Administration. However, we must still conduct all in-person events according to the Clemson Cooperative Extension Meetings and Events guidance document. Please consult your District Extension Director and Program Team Director with any questions.

I have two important reminders. First, we have been gradually transitioning into the Extension re-organization outlined in my April 6 email. All changes will be fully in place by July 1, 2021. Secondly, the fiscal year ends on June 30. Please be mindful of any reporting responsibilities that must be addressed and the deadlines to do so. Those who are in charge of collecting fiscal year information have a lot on their plates as it is. Please be considerate of their time and workload. I am so excited that we are moving toward in-person meetings, reopening the offices, and moving more to the new normal. It is important that we stay cautious but that we move our Extension Programs forward. Let’s learn from programming during the pandemic but let’s also remain steadfast to serve the needs of our stakeholders.

In my previous month’s article, I discussed Extension’s involvement in the Power Plant SC program organized by the Floodwater Commission to raise awareness about the importance of trees to human and environmental health, including flood mitigation. I would like to recognize another unique collaboration established to address water resource issues in the state. The Water Resources Program Team is partnering with the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control and the Natural Resources Conservation Division on a new dam ownership program. Many farmers have dams on their properties, and offering a free, self-paced, online course covering inspection and maintenance topics is a great service. I am excited to see this new program take off. The education shared with dam owners is also for the benefit of those who live nearby the dams.

Water is always a critical issue for our state as precipitation amounts continually swing between too much or not enough, and the impacts of climate change become more apparent. Hurricane season recently began, and the NOAA Climate Prediction Center predicts another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the SC Emergency Management Division’s new website, hurricane.sc, and consider utilizing the SC Emergency Manager mobile app.  Additionally, people living in the coastal areas should know that this year’s updated SC Hurricane Guide includes new evacuation zones for Berkeley County. We are grateful for those who provide their expertise for these resources that help keep South Carolinians informed and safe. Please share this information for hurricane season with your stakeholders, no matter their location in the state.

Over the past year, we didn’t know what to expect from week to week, nor did we know when to expect it. In South Carolina, the pandemic stages have become much less devastating, but that is not the case everywhere. Please keep in your thoughts those who are grieving from loss and those who are still battling the grip of COVID among their families and communities. If there is anything we’ve learned, it’s that nothing is certain at any stage of a pandemic. The pandemic is far from over; we are still and will be for a long time transitioning through stages.

I want to thank everyone for their diligence in helping us pave the way by adhering to the guidance provided. Let us continue to remain optimistic but vigilant and flexible with any new guidance that might be implemented for whatever reason.

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

Clemson’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management offers an online degree that may appeal to many Extension professionals seeking additional educational opportunities. The Masters of Science in Youth Development Leadership prepares students to address issues facing youth in the context of family and community with an emphasis on positive youth development through a dynamic learning environment. Like 4-H, the M.S. in Youth Development leadership advocates for the best practice, programs, and youth engagement.

The Master of Science in Youth Development Leadership degree program requires 36 semester hours of coursework. The program has an online synchronous meeting time/class that meets for 1.5 hours per week. The program is a 6-semester program that equips students in:
· Principles and Best Practices in Youth Development
· Child and Adolescent Development
· Youth Development and the Family
· Creative and Ethical Leadership Skills
· Youth and Development and Nature
· Youth and Technology
· Recruiting staff and volunteers in youth-serving organizations
· Fundamentals of grant-writing

A Certificate in Youth Development Leadership is also available. This Certificate is designed to equip professionals with competencies that augment their bachelor’s degree in a related field. A Certificate in Youth Development Leadership requires 15 credit hours of YDP 8000 Theoretical Foundations of Youth Development and 4 additional courses selected collaboratively with an advisor based on the professional goals of the student.

A complete application should
include:
· Baccalaureate degree with a minimum grade-point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
· Resume
· Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate work
· Personal statement describing your interests and professional goals for seeking this degree
· Two letters of reference
· The Graduate Record Examination, GRE (www.gre.org) is not required, but it may strengthen an application
· Application available online at www.grad.clemson.edu

Please remember that all educational degree pursuits need to be approved by your District Extension Director and Program Team Director. Please communicate with them about your intents. You must also have at least one year in your current position before pursuing an additional degree.

Over the past ten years, Alta Mae Marvin and other agents with the Colleton County Clemson Extension Office have been working with churches in rural and underserved areas of the county to provide locally grown fruits and vegetables. As part of efforts to fight the increasing health risk of obesity, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program for rural African American churches was developed. The vision has been to increase the availability and accessibility of fresh produce to underserved communities, increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables among the target population, and identify ways to sustain the Mobile Farmer’s Market for future success. The efforts also provide economic impact for local farmers. Coordinated with leaders of participating African American churches, the program reaches between sixty and eighty families weekly during the summer months. In addition to fresh produce, families receive educational materials on health-related topics and recipes for preparing fresh vegetables.

The CSA Market program is offered at a small cost to the participants. Funding support from the local Walmart allowed participants to pay five dollars per week to receive seven dollars worth of produce. A mobile farmers market manager and a local farmer coordinated with other local farmers for the weekly produce. The food boxes of produce were assembled on Wednesday morning and delivered to the churches. The church coordinators delivered the produce to their participants. Survey results from the participants showed 82% were satisfied with the program, 82% were satisfied with the quality and variety of the fruits and vegetables, and 100% were satisfied with the cost. Plans are to transition the coordination of the 2021 CSA Market to the growers for long-term sustainability.

An upcoming event highlighting local farms is the 2021 South Carolina Ag + Art Tour, which will kick off in Colleton County May 29-30, 2021. This is Colleton County’s first year participating in our nation’s largest farm and art tour. The South Carolina Artisan Center, located in Walterboro, is the Folk Art and Craft Center for the State and represents artists from forty-three of South Carolina’s forty-six counties. Local organizers are excited about the upcoming Ag + Art Tour. Included in the tour will be several minority-owned farms, such as a presentation by SS Hamilton Farm’s owner, Joe Hamilton, who will talk about his years-long struggle sorting through heirs’ property to build today’s profitable tree farm. The weekend includes an aquaponics farm that reflects the Native American culture of its female owner and a minority-owned vineyard. These are just a few of the farms, farmers markets, local food vendors, and activities planned in Colleton County for the Ag + Art Tour.

Submitted by: Alta Mae Marvin, Regional Agribusiness Agent

The Agricultural Education Program Team has been working with Clemson University Professor Dr. Jim Frederick, with the Plant and Environmental Sciences Department, to create a mini-demonstration teaching opportunity at a Middle School in Darlington County.

Utilizing space on the grounds of the Darlington Middle School, Dr. Frederick and his Clemson Extension collaborators have worked with students and teachers to create mini-demonstration plots to conduct problem-solving experiments specific to each grade. The mini-demonstration plots allow students to examine the effects of water, nutrients, soil type, and other key factors on plant growth and potential environmental impacts. Vegetables, agronomic crops, long-leaf pine, and horticultural crops will be a part of the studies once the program is completed.

In addition to the plots, under Dr. Frederick’s guide, the school also created workstations where students record data, examine their results, and display their findings on kiosks for others to view.

Because of the program’s success at the Middle School, the Agricultural Education Program Team plans to use it as a “template” for agricultural education programs around the State. Many of the agricultural education programs have school farms. Still, for those that are not so lucky to have the available land and resources, this project will provide students the opportunity to still conduct experiments on plants while only requiring a minimum amount of space. The projects the students conduct in each grade are centered on science teaching standards. Therefore, the program is also a great way to introduce agriculture to science teachers and other school educators.

Dr. Frederick and the Agricultural Education Team plan on presenting the program to Career and Technical Education Directors this summer at the South Carolina Department of Education’s Education and Business Summit to promote the project to school district leadership. In addition, he will address South Carolina Agriculture Teachers at their annual summer conference.

Submitted by: William Keels, State Director Agricultural Education

Clemson Cooperative Extension is getting back into the swing of things, and our operating procedures are starting to look more like they used to before the pandemic. As a state and country, we still have a long way to go, so we must remain mindful and not let our guard down by dismissing relevant protocols that are still in place. I know everyone is eager to engage in person again, and many will be wearing our new logo that was re-designed last year. We are coming back with a fresh look and bringing enthusiastic attitudes.

As many of you have heard by now, Dr. Pam Ardern has recently announced her retirement. She has been the face of South Carolina 4-H for over 15 years and has dedicated her 36-year career to “Making the Best, Better”. Starting her 4-H career in South Carolina as a County Extension 4-H Agent in Sumter County, she immediately had a lasting impact on her 4-Hers, their families, and their communities. Growing up on a farm in Oklahoma and being very active in 4-H as a youth, Dr. Ardern did not have to be educated on the value of 4-H; she had lived it as a child. She knew the difference and impact the Green and White could have on a child. Dr. Ardern never missed an opportunity to serve 4-H in South Carolina, and when she got the call to become the director of 4-H, she did not waver. Because of Dr. Ardern, we still have 4-H in South Carolina, and because of her dedication, passion, and ‘not giving up’ attitude, our 4-H program is growing and becoming stronger. No one knows the gratitude we ALL owe Dr. Ardern for stepping up to lead this great youth organization. Dr. Pam Ardern – I want to thank you for a JOB WELL DONE!

Our Extension team excels at creating thriving partnerships, and we have helped create an abundance of impact over the past month alone, working alongside internal and external partners. The new website (https://www.clemson.edu/online/programs/extension/index.html) for Clemson Online Cooperative Extension Programs is now live. I would like to thank Dr. Brian Callahan for his diligent work with Clemson Online to launch this initiative. The program will significantly expand our audiences because of the improved accessibility and convenience of our programming. Last month, several of our Extension teams were responsible for planting 500,000 loblolly pine tree seeds for the Power Plant SC project on Earth Day, April 22. The Power Plant SC program is organized by the Floodwater Commission to raise awareness about the importance of trees to human and environmental health, including flood mitigation. I would like to recognize those who coordinated seed distribution and promotional efforts on Extension’s behalf, including Dr. Pam Ardern and our 36 4-H agents; Ms. Amy Dabbs with the SC School and Community Garden Program; and Mr. Billy Keels, Ms. Jillian Lash, Mr. Jason Gore, Mr. Frank Saldana, and Mr. Troy Helms from the Agricultural Education team. Extension played a large part in getting 3.4M seeds planted across our state, and everyone should be commended.

I am proud to share two significant recognitions recently bestowed on the Forestry and Natural Resources team. Dr. Dave Coyle, a team specialist, was selected as the 2021 Forest Landowners Association Extension Forester of the Year, and the team’s CU in the Woods newsletter won the Notable State Document Award (https://news.clemson.edu/clemson-extensions-cu-in-the-woods-newsletter-wins-notable-state-document-award/) presented by the South Carolina State Library.

On a closing note, we received some amazing news about HGIC that blew me away. I think it even caught the Horticulture team by surprise. For the year 2020, the HGIC website had nearly double the number of page views than the University’s homepage received. This is an incredible achievement and just one example of how Extension teams continue to shine and increase recognition of the University’s land-grant mission by serving as the primary public service outreach arm. However, it doesn’t always take high numbers to show how dedicated and successful our Extension team is, as the impact can be measured in various ways when we improve the well-being of South Carolinians. Even the smallest achievement can create ripples beyond the initial intent, and we are diligent enough to build on those ripples when an opportunity presents itself. Never underestimate the impact of your work.

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

Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Email from Dr. Thomas Dobbins, Clemson Cooperative Extension Director

COVID-19 made 2020 a very trying year. Despite the challenges, Extension showed a lot of resiliency and has adopted new ways of operating and delivering programs. Because of each of you, Extension not only survived 2020; we thrived. Together, we stayed the course and achieved a lot of successes. One of the best things that has come out of 2020 is the way our Extension Leadership Team stepped up to the challenge with determination, focus, and personal commitment to lead Extension through the turmoil of 2020. Our ELT made sure they kept their eye on our “North Star” and our Guiding Principles while coordinating the ever-changing requirements around modified operations, testing requirements, and return to work plans. As a continuation of our strategic initiatives, and partially due to and despite COVID, the following exercises have been completed.

Requested Executive Leadership Team to meet twice a week

Requested Deon Legette and Blake Lanford to lead weekly meetings with District Extension Directors

Requested Dr. Matt Burns and Dr. Michelle Parisi to lead weekly meetings with Program Team Directors
Results for teams and districts:

• Provided platform for sharing creative strategies and problem-solving
• Promoted efficient and effective communication through Extension system
• Encouraged collaboration and coordination of District Extension Directors’ and Program Team Directors’ activities
• Addressed major challenges for Extension
  Example: Realignment of Staff Performance Management (EPMS) requirements for Extension Agents
  • Smoother evaluation process
  • Transparent and measurable expectations for performance
  • Decreased time commitment for process
  • Increased consistency in evaluation results across DEDs and PTDs

Formalized the innovative District Extension Director (Field Operations) structure – August 2020

Formalized the new Program Team Director (Programmatic) structure – March 2021

• Obtained support and approval from Dean Belli and Dr. Askew
• Will be Effective: July 2021
  • Program Teams will be grouped into (2) Divisions
    • Division of Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Programs
      • Agribusiness, Agronomy, Horticulture, Livestock and Forages, Forestry and Water teams
      • Division Director: Dr. Matt Burns
      • Program Team Directors will report directly to Matt Burns
    • Division of Extension Health, Nutrition, and Youth Development Programs
      • Food Systems and Safety, 4-H, Rural Health, Food and Nutrition, and Agriculture Education
      • Division Director: Dr. Michelle Parisi
      • Program Team Directors will report directly to Michelle Parisi

Evaluated the District Extension Director structure
Results:

• Adjustment/Alignment of Extension District Map
• Effective: July 2021
• State divided into (5) Sections
• Districts overseen by each DED will be as outlined on the map below

Green = Upstate, George Dickert
Dark Blue = Pee Dee, Michael McManus
Beige = Coastal, Blake Lanford
Light Blue = Savannah Valley, Karissa Ulmer
Lavender = Piedmont/Midlands, New Hire

• Changes:
  • Midlands District removed
  • Counties will be covered by existing DED in Upstate, Pee Dee, Lower Savannah Valley, Coastal, and Piedmont
• Notes:
  • Deon Legette will continue to serve as Director of Extension Field Operations – Personnel Management
    • All DEDs will continue to report directly to Deon
  • Blake Lanford will continue to serve as District Director and Director of Extension Field Operations – Process Management

Requested Chris Heintze to serve as Interim District Extension Director for the Piedmont district

• The Piedmont District Extension Director position will be opened for an internal search
  • A notice to the system will be sent once the posting opens
  • Anyone interested may apply

Over the next few months, we will transition into this new structure and all changes will be fully in place by July 1, 2021.

The new Division Directors for Programs will be in touch with each of the Program Team Directors to meet on an individual basis and discuss these changes and answer any questions you may have. Likewise, the Field Operations Directors will reach out to the District Extension Directors to discuss the changes and answer any questions. Our strategic plan called for these divisions.

These changes will open my time to work on other Extension needs, such as fundraising and the creation of a framework for outreach and engagement, defining how activities across all colleges of the University will interface with Extension in the future.

Finally, I want to say thank you to the entire Extension team for all the hard work you have done and continue to do. This new structure will benefit our Extension system as we begin to think about what Extension will look like in the next ten, twenty, or thirty years.