McKynzie Still, Summer Intern, Allendale Extension Office
My name is McKynzie Still, and I am from Barnwell. I am an upcoming junior at Clemson University. My major is in animal science, with a concentration in animal agribusiness and a minor in business administration.
I am interning with the Livestock and Forages Agent, Hillary Pope, in Allendale. I have been able to do a wide range of activities during my internship, from planting flowers around our extension sign to painting cabinets in the office and everything in between. I also have spent time with the former Water Resource Agent, Rebecca Davis, the Agronomy Agent, Rogan Gibson, and the Commercial Horticulture Agent, Anna Sara Hill. With Rebecca Davis, I was able to help with several pivot assessments and assist with collecting pond samples for a research project. With Rogan Gibson, I have assisted with putting up deer exclusion cages in cotton fields, helped with a soybean seed trial, and helped with the tractor driving contest during the Hampton Country Watermelon Festival.
I visited Coosaw Farm’s blackberry patch with Anna Sara Hill to help change insect traps for a research project. Under my mentor, Hillary Pope, I have been able to tag along during site visits to help determine what types of forages should be established in pastures to meet the needs of the animals. I have also been tasked with creating species-related quizzes for the youth who show livestock. Recently, we took a trip to pick up and deliver pigs to youth who will participate in the livestock show at the Orangeburg County Fair in the fall.
Throughout the summer, the interns in the Savannah Valley Region will have the opportunity to travel to each other’s areas with our mentors so that we can also experience what they can do. So far, we tagged along with Zack Snipes and his intern, Eleanore, as they took us to several locations and showed us more about his job as a horticulture agent. Overall, I have had a great experience and have been able to meet many people, experience different parts of agriculture, and become more aware of the opportunities within Clemson Extension. I hope to continue learning from this internship and take all the knowledge and connections I have accumulated thus far with me throughout the rest of my future.
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status. It is an equal opportunity employer.
