Dawn Stuckey, Senior Agent
By Dawn Stuckey, Senior Agent
4-H agents in neighboring counties are working hard to keep 4-H going in multiple counties as we fill vacant positions. We welcome Lina Prillaman to Berkeley County as the 4-H Youth Development agent. She is a life-long 4-H’er and brings great ideas from her work in Virginia 4-H. Please continue to reach out to the Extension Office if you have any 4-H needs or questions. The county administrative assistant will have an agent return your call or provide an answer to your question.
The heavy dusting of pollen lets us know that Spring is here! The warmer temperatures and return of birds, pollinators, and forest friends have garden planning at the forefront of everyone’s agenda. What a perfect time for youth to register for the 4-H Small Garden Project.
The 4-H small garden project is an independent project that runs from May through August and teaches participants the benefits of soil monitoring, plant identification, pest management, fiscal responsibility, and goal setting, with the opportunity to put that learning into practice. When your garden is in full production, someone from Clemson Extension will visit your garden to assess the health and vigor of your plants.
Youth may participate individually or with a group. The project is open to any 4-H member aged 5 to 18. There is a $25 project fee to cover the cost of materials included in the kits. The registration deadline is April 3, 2026; don’t miss out on this fun project. Register for the SC 4-H Small Garden Project at https://2026SC4-HSmallGardenProject.eventbrite.com.
Registration is also open for the 4-H Rabbit Project. In this independent project, participants will care for their rabbits and prepare them for the show. Throughout the project, youth and their families will receive a project newsletter that provides valuable information to ensure success. Additional opportunities for participants include a presentation contest, a Quiz Bowl, and a rabbit knowledge test. As in all 4-H projects, participants will learn to set goals, participate in learning activities, and build record-keeping and financial management skills.
The 4-H Rabbit project is open to youth ages 5-18. Youth will need to secure their own rabbit for the project. The project runs from May through October and has showmanship workshops during the summer. Registration for the 4-H Rabbit Project closes on April 3, 2026. There is a $25 fee to participate. To register for the project, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-sc-4-h-rabbit-project-tickets-1983083593411?aff=oddtdtcreator
The 4-H Laying Flock Project is open for registration until May 1, 2026. The Laying Flock Project is for youth who already have chickens. Youth will reflect on their work through the completion of a record book, where they will learn to set goals, manage finances, and gain valuable life lessons by caring and providing for their flock.
Throughout the project, youth and their families will receive a newsletter that provides valuable information, including show dates, deadlines, and poultry-related details. The project costs $10, and there is an option to add a sibling for an additional fee. The project is open to youth 5-18. This project runs from May to October, with showmanship clinics during the summer to prepare for Fall shows. To learn more or register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-4-h-laying-flock-project-registration-1980468880735?aff=oddtdtcreator.
The 4-H Dairy Project is an independent or club project that engages youth ages 5-18 in learning life skills while working with dairy cows and replacement heifers. Participants will receive show dates, deadline reminders, and dairy-related information via the South Carolina 4-H Livestock Program and Clemson Spring Dairy Show Facebook pages. A variety of educational events will be held throughout the year, including dairy judging workshops and practice opportunities, fitting and showmanship clinics, junior breed organization events and various scholarships.
The Dairy Heifer Project provides opportunities for youth to learn about dairying and the dairy industry. The Dairy Heifer Project began in 1974 and was designed to provide boys and girls in South Carolina with an opportunity to raise a dairy heifer, experience the dairy industry, and sell their heifer at the South Carolina Dairy Bred Heifer Sale before she begins milking. The project is a long-term (approximately 20 months) project. Youth receive their heifers by random draw when they are 3-4 months old, care for and show, and then sell them as a bred heifer in the SC Youth Dairy Heifer Sale. In addition, the SC Dairy Bred Heifer Sale serves as an excellent source of herd replacements for South Carolina dairymen.
Application deadline: March 20, 2026
To learn more and to register, visit https://www.clemson.edu/extension/4h/program-areas/agriculture-animals/cattle/dairy.html.
The SC 4-H Horse program has several upcoming events for participants. To learn more about the opportunities, visit https://www.clemson.edu/extension/4h/program-areas/agriculture-animals/horse.html.
To learn more about South Carolina 4-H and the opportunities available, please visit https://www.clemson.edu/extension/4h/index.html.
