Savannah Valley District

Are Your Soils Going on Vacation?

Charles Davis Row Crops Agronomy Agent It’s been a long, hot summer, and now it is ending. The crops are grown, and the harvest is nearly complete. Our soils have been working hard since the spring, holding water for our crops, giving nutrition to our plants, and supporting a universe of microbes, insects, and fungi. […]

Proper Hay Sampling Techniques

Written by Livestock and Forages Agents – Nicole Correa, Sallie Thompson, Marion Barnes, Travis Mitchell and Hillary Pope With the fall weather starting to peek through, it is essential to start considering making hay purchases for the winter season. With all the options available, how does one choose? There are multiple grass and legume options, […]

Woods in Your Backyard

Amanda Taylor, Forestry and Natural Resources Agent Introductory lecture by Amanda Taylor The word “woods” often evokes romantic images of vast forests, when really, you probably have some woods in your backyard. Your quarter acre of pine trees or pollinator garden may not be very big, but small landowners play a key role in the […]

Annual Savannah Valley 4-H Market Hog Sale & Awards Program

Meghan Barkley 4-H Youth Development Agent Ehrhardt, SC- Local 4-H members were rewarded for their dedication on Sunday, October 23rd at H&S Stockyards by participating in the annual Savannah Valley 4-H Market Hog Sale & Awards Program.  Participants sold a total of 10 animals with an average price of $1,081 per animal and a high-selling […]

Conservation Burial: Turning Your Haunt into Hallowed Ground

Amanda Taylor, Forestry and Natural Resources Agent Land is a legacy, something you pass on to your children and your children’s children. Historically, when someone passed away, family members managed all of the affairs, including the care of the body. But somewhere along the way, we lost parlors in our homes, funeral parlors took over, […]

Around the Countryside Tips for Buying Hay

Marion Barnes, Senior County Extension Agent Clemson University When it comes to producing hay, livestock producers experience seasons of shortage and abundance. As winter nears, beef cattle producers should take stock of their hay inventories to ensure an adequate supply to get them through until next spring. Not every cattle producer has the luxury to […]

National Farm Safety and Health Week

Marion Barnes, County Extension Agent, Clemson University Anyone actively involved in farming can tell you about the hazards and risks encountered while providing the food, fiber, and fuel this country and the world depend on. Just as consumers sometimes overlook the important role farmers play in their lives, farmers often overlook the dangers of farming. […]

Keep it Safe When Brown-Bagging

CHRISTINE PATRICK, SENIOR COUNTY EFNEP AGENT Whether it’s students taking lunch to school or adults packing lunch for work, millions of people across the country pack a bag of lunch each day.  Bag lunches should be handled with care to make sure the meal inside remains tasty and safe to eat. Follow these safety tips […]

Picking Up the Pieces – Managing Livestock Pastures After a Severe Weather Event

Marion Barnes, Senior County Extension Agent- Clemson University Severe weather events like hurricanes and tropical storms remind us of how vulnerable we all are to weather events. Livestock producers are no exception. These events cause stress and problems for livestock as well as producers. When storms cause damage to personal property, dwellings, outbuildings, and other […]