Savannah Valley District

Lend a Helping Hand to Bluebirds

Marion Barnes, Senior County Extension Agent Clemson University With all the winter weather conditions of late, it is not too early to be thinking of spring! The Eastern Bluebird is one of South Carolina’s most colorful year-round feathered residents and is often referred to as a harbinger of spring. Early settlers called them the “blue […]

Leaking Ponds: Causes and Troubleshooting

Molly Jones, Regional Water Resources Agent Ponds are not typically a natural occurrence in the state of South Carolina. Our state’s specific geological and hydrological characteristics are not conducive to the natural occurrence of lakes or ponds due to a few factors: flat topography; the majority of South Carolina is a coastal plain, which does […]

Planning to Prevent Summer Algae Blooms

Ellen Sturup Comeau, Water Resources Agent Algae are naturally occurring microorganisms in ponds and form the base of a healthy aquatic ecosystem. These organisms support fish and other aquatic life by providing the base of the pond’s food chain as well as oxygen in the water. However, when excess nutrients in the water combine with […]

Ready, Set, Grow

Glen Payne, Urban Horticulture Agent, Beaufort County Getting started with well-aerated, pathogen- and weed-free soil will help seeds germinate and grow into healthy plants. https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/starting-seeds-indoors/ Avoid starting seedlings in garden soil as it may not be sterile or drain well, causing seeds to dampen off due to excess moisture and leading to disease. Recycled egg […]

Beaufort County 4-H Receives Grant from Coastal Community Foundation

Beaufort County 4-H is excited to announce the receipt of a generous grant from the Coastal Community Foundation. This funding will play a vital role in expanding and strengthening 4-H programming throughout Beaufort County, creating more opportunities for youth to learn, lead, and thrive. The grant will directly support the growth of Beaufort Junior Leadership, […]

Creating Backyard Wildlife Habitat

Marion Barnes, Senior County Extension Agent – Clemson University Wildlife viewing is becoming a very popular activity among homeowners and wildlife enthusiasts. According to the US Fish & Wildlife Service 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting & Wildlife-Associated Recreation more than 148 million U.S. residents, 57%  of the U.S. population 16 years old and older […]

In‑Line Fumigation: A Safer Solution for South Carolina Growers

Zachary Snipes, Assistant Program Team Leader-Horticulture, Area Horticulture Agent Zach Snipes, along with other agents from Clemson University’s Food Crop Horticulture Team, has been conducting on-farm demonstrations showcasing in-line fumigation techniques. The emergence of new pests, limited crop rotation options, and the buildup of diseases have led growers to consider fumigation as an essential addition […]

How to Decode Food Labels: Sell-by, Use-by, and Best-by Explained

Jessica Hardiman, Food System and Safety Agent “Best if Used By”, “Sell-By”, “Use-By” …what is the difference between these phrases, and do you have to throw away all those forgotten products in the back of your pantry? Food manufacturers put these dates on packages to let retailers and consumers know when food is at its […]

2025 Savannah Valley Market Hog News Release

Meghan Barkley, 4-H Youth Development Agent, Beaufort County Local 4-H members were rewarded for their dedication on Sunday, November 3rd, at the Orangeburg, SC- Local 4-H members were rewarded for their dedication on Sunday, November 3rd, at the Orangeburg Fairgrounds by participating in the annual Savannah Valley 4-H Market Hog Sale & Awards Program.  Participants […]

The Mystery of Storm Drains

Beatriss Calhoun, Water Resources Extension Agent  In your day-to-day life, you may rarely hear people say, “Have you seen that storm drain lately?” Ideally, stormwater managers would love to hear the response, “Yes — and it’s working and looking great!” However, the truth is that most storm drains go unnoticed. As development continues to expand […]