Every October, the Sunbelt Ag Expo is held in Moultrie, Georgia. This expo is the largest farm show in the southeast, drawing roughly 100,000 visitors over three days. Visitors consist of farmers, youth, industry experts, college students, and curious citizens from across the region. Clemson University is well represented annually in an orange barn full of Clemson Cooperative Extension staff, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CAFLS) staff and students. South Carolina also has the privilege of being the spotlight state for 2026! The Expo is October 20-22, and we hope you can attend the educational talks, visit the vendor booths, and explore the college barns.
Visitors to the Clemson University barn will be introduced to the various program teams of Clemson Cooperative Extension through interactive educational tables. The Agribusiness Team has a Farm Trivia Wheel where visitors will answer an agricultural question or identify an animal, crop, or natural resource in a picture. Our Food Systems and Safety Team draws a lot of attention with their South Carolina food products available to taste while talking to people about safely handling and serving food. The Horticulture Team will have an impressive butterfly house this year, along with pesticide safety resources and tools. Perspective students can interact with CAFLS Agricultural Mechanization and Business students and staff through farm safety demonstrations.
The South Carolina Department of Agriculture will be set up in the state spotlight building, showcasing the state’s diverse agriculture. South Carolina Farm Bureau will help with highlighting our state during the Farmer of the Year Awards Luncheon. The South Carolinian Farmer of the Year for 2026, Jeffrey Massey, was nominated by Area Horticulture Agent and Assistant Program Team Leader Zack Snipes. Massey owns Livingston’s Bulls Bay Seafood in McClellanville, SC, where he and his wife manage clam, oyster, shrimp and soft-shell crab production. You can learn more about our Farmer of the Year at 2026 South Carolina Farmer of the Year: Jeffrey (Jeff) Massey | Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia.
We are excited to welcome a regular contribution to the Staff Senate Newsletter from the Extension Senate President, Charley Maxwell. Visit the Extension Senate blog at https://blogs.clemson.edu/ces/.
