Savannah Valley District

The South Carolina Home-Based Food Production Law

Samantha Houston-Food System and Safety Agent The South Carolina Home-Based Food Production Law, more commonly known as the Cottage Food Law, allows our state residents to manufacture food items that are considered safe in their home kitchens for sale directly to consumers. This law was amended as of May 2022, providing exciting news for our […]

Livestock Meeting August 18, 2022

Nicole Correa- Area Livestock and Forage Midlands Agent The end of hay season brings us to show season here in SC! A few livestock shows are coming up shortly, but I would like to highlight the Orangeburg County Fair Livestock Show and the shows at the State Fair in Columbia. Several Calhoun and Orangeburg participants […]

Forestry and Natural Resources Team Offers New Training Program for Owners of Small Woodlots

Janet Watt Steele- Area Forestry Agent   A new program entitled Woods In Your Backyard (WIYB) will now be offered to forest landowners in South Carolina by the Clemson Extension Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) team.  The state has 12.9 million acres of forestland, and 87% of South Carolina’s forests are privately owned. Family-owned forests […]

Hay Season is Upon Us

Nicole Correa, Area Livestock/Forages Agent – Calhoun and Orangeburg Counties Hay season is upon us, and we are thankful for these recent rains!  Calhoun and Orangeburg counties have finally enjoyed a little bit this week; hopefully, the pastures and hay fields will reflect that zoon.  As we all know, fertilizer prices are sky high, so […]

As Pond Problems Increase Along With Our Summer Temperatures

Charly M. Greenthaler, Water Resource Agent – Calhoun County As pond problems increase along with our summer temperatures, remember that we are always happy to help identify any problem weeds and make control recommendations. One to be on the lookout for is Blue-Green Algae. Blue-Green Algae, also known as Cyanobacteria, can range in color but […]

Vegetable Growers in South Carolina Pickling Cucumbers

Phillip Carnley, Area Horticulture Agent – Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties Vegetable growers in South Carolina are making pickling cucumbers a cash crop yet again. Many of the growers are new to commercial cucumber production. Being a “newer” crop, many growers experienced reduced crop yields and revenue due to difficulty managing pests, disease, and herbicide applications. […]

4H2O Day Camp

Glenna Mason, 4-H Youth Development – Orangeburg and Calhoun County Awareness of conservation when kids are young will lead them to be proactive adults concerned about the welfare of their environment and the world they live in. It will be the next generation’s responsibility to make choices regarding the resources available to them in the future. […]

“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 […]