Savannah Valley District

Around the Countryside Sunflowers – A Native Plant with an Amazing History

Marion Barnes, Senior County Extension Agent  – Clemson University If you have traveled around the low country lately, you may have noticed numerous fields of brightly colored, yellow-blooming sunflowers. These sunflower fields are planted for attracting mourning doves in time for the September hunting season. The story of the cultivated sunflower, Helianthus annuus, is truly […]

Shooting Sports and Natural Resources taught at 4-H Wild at Webb Camp

Shannon Herndon, Senior Extension 4-H Agent Two-thirds of US households have firearms. Youth need to understand firearm safety and how to use firearms correctly. South Carolina 4-H and SC Department of Natural Resources have partnered to offer a weeklong shooting sports and natural resources program held at the Webb Wildlife Center in Garnett, SC, for […]

Agriculture Enrichment After School Program

Hillary Pope, Area Livestock & Forages Agent This past school year, we partnered with the Save the Children After School Program at Allendale Fairfax Elementary School. About 60 youths were enrolled in the program, and throughout the school year, they learned different aspects of agriculture production. We started with Embryology, where students were able to […]

Ways to Use Cherry Tomatoes

Gayle Williford, Food Systems and Safety / 4-H Agent, Berkeley County Your mid-summer home garden is pumping out vegetables faster than you can harvest them. The cherry tomatoes are piling up on your kitchen counter. What can you do with them? Don’t waste them. Cherry tomatoes are very versatile. They can be used as garnishes, […]

When to Start Pruning

Glen Payne, Urban Horticulture Agent Azalea pruning should be completed now that the 4th of July has passed. If possible, avoid additional pruning, as the new buds will be starting to set for next year. Scout for any pests attempting to hide in the shade of the undersides of the leaves and treat pest populations […]

Deer Damage in Cotton Yields

Rogan Gibson, Extension Agronomy Agent There are many problems farmers are facing when it comes to growing a crop. If you asked every farmer in the Allendale/Hampton counties, “What is the number one problem you are experiencing every year?”. The answer would be deer damage, which is getting worse yearly. Some farmers in the area […]

Water Wisely this Summer!

     Ellen Sturup Comeau “A rain gauge is used to track rainfall amounts on the property. Photo credit Kim Morganello.” Summer is fast approaching! That means sunny weather, hot temperatures, and high humidity. Staying hydrated is critical to staying healthy in the intense weather, and that is doubly true for the plants in our yards. […]

Introducing the Clemson Extension TEACH Center at The Citadel Mall

Amy L. Dabbs, Statewide School & Community Gardening Coordinator The Clemson Extension TEACH Center at the Citadel Mall opened its doors on May 2, 2024. The new space serves as a regional meeting, teaching, and demonstration space for community-based Extension programming. “TEACH,” an acronym for Training, Education, Agriculture, and Community Health, aligns with the mission […]

Drought Related Grazing & Feeding Issues

Marion Barnes, Senior County Extension Agent – Clemson University – July 2024 Drought can occur at any time. Feeding and nutrition of the cattle herd is the primary concern during extended periods of dry weather. Above-average temperatures and little or no rainfall limit forage growth and reduce hay production. Drought alone rarely kills forage species, […]

Celebrating Clemson Extension Employee’s Service Milestones in July 2024

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL UNIVERSITY STAFF WHO ACHIEVED MILESTONES IN THE MONTH OF JULY. HILLARY POPE, AREA LIVESTOCK AND FORAGES AGENT, 7/6/2020 – 4 YEARS BRANDI B. MURDAUGH, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, 7/8/2019 – 5 YEARS MEGHAN BARKLEY, 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AGENT, 7/2018 – 6 YEARS EACH CELEBRATING YEAR(S) AT CLEMSON UNIVERSITY. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers […]