Savannah Valley District

“The Thunder Rolls and the Lightning Strikes”

Charles W. Davis Jr., County Extension Agent – Agronomy “The thunder rolls and the lightning strikes” are not just catchy words to a famous Garth Brooks song. They are words that should remind all farmers who use center-pivot irrigation systems of the potential for danger, harm, and even death. Summer thunderstorms in the South are […]

Emerging Opportunities in Ecosystem Services Markets for Timberland Owners and Managers

Janet W. Steele, Area Forestry and Wildlife Agent Ecosystem services, or the additional benefits provided to humans by forests other than manufactured products, include clean air and water, carbon sequestration, and intangible benefits such as natural beauty. Recent opportunities have become available or are being developed in South Carolina to generate income for timberland owners […]

Chainsaw Use Considerations Among South Carolina’s Female Forest Landowners and Managers

Janet W. Steele, Area Extension Agent – Forestry and Wildlife Female forest landowners are gradually increasing across the southeast as lands transition from one generation to the next or from husband to wife. As more female landowners become involved in the day-to-day operations of their property, the need for practical training on equipment such as […]

Farmer Led Field Testing of Nematode Resistant Cotton Varieties

Charles W. Davis Jr, Agronomy County Extension Agent Cotton farmers in Calhoun County have battled nematodes for years. These microscopic worms often infect plant roots, causing galling, root death, and yield loss. The most common species affecting cotton in Calhoun County are Southern Root Knot and Reniform. Typically, pesticides called nematicides have been placed in […]

SC Corn and Soybean Grower

Jonathan K. Croft, Agriculture Extension Agent During the 2021 growing season, South Carolina farmers reported planting 390,000 acres of soybeans and 420,000 acres of corn.  To bring research results and production information to SC farmers for the 2022 crop year, Clemson Extension partnered with the SC Soybean Board to host the SC Corn and Soybean […]

South Carolina Growers

Extension Agents Rob Last and Bruce Mclean Agricultural exploits continue in Orangeburg and Calhoun counties with the advent of the New Year. Recently, in Orangeburg, Extension Agents Rob Last, Bruce Mclean, I held a hands-on field day for muscadine pruning and fertility management. We were fortunate to have the local and technical college participate and […]

South Carolina Ag Book of the Month Program

Glenna Mason, 4-H Youth Development Agent Orangeburg and Calhoun County 4-H presents agriculture books and activities to kindergarten students at St. Matthews Elementary. The Book of the Month program is a literacy outreach program sponsored by Ag in the Classroom and the SC Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee. Monthly books were purchased and a lesson […]

Soil Sampling: When, How, and Why

Rob Last Area Horticulture Agent.  When? Whether you are a homeowner or commercial farmer, winter is a great time to take soil samples. When the lab reports the results, winter allows applications such as lime to adjust soil pH in plenty of time for the spring growing season. How? Step one: Decide on the number […]

South Carolina to Issue Handy New Card for Ag Sales Tax Exemptions

South Carolina to Issue Handy New Card for Ag Sales Tax Exemptions SCATE Will Debut February 1, 2022 By Eva Moore, South Carolina Department of Agriculture In 2022, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture is rolling out a handy new card for farmers to use for agricultural sales tax exemptions. South Carolina state law offers […]

Calhoun/Orangeburg Newsletter

Meeting Attendees

Janet Steele, Clemson Cooperative Extension Forestry Agent The Orangeburg-Calhoun Forest Landowners Association met in person on Thursday, September 30, 2021. The group’s previous meetings had been virtual since the Covid pandemic began in 2020. Mr. Jimmy Guthrie hosted approximately 30 members at his property in Neeses. A large picnic pavilion provided a picturesque location for […]