Tag: Extension Senate

September 1 marked the start of the new 4-H Youth Development club year. Youth ages 5 to 18 can join their local 4-H club(s) through 4-H online for $15 a year. If they register before October 1, they will receive a free T-shirt!  4-H is a nationwide program. In fact, it is the nation’s largest youth development program with approximately 6 million youth and over 35 million alumni of the program. Head, Heart, Hands and Health make up the four H’s.  Youth who participate in 4-H have been found to be twice as likely to make healthier choices and four times more likely to make a positive contribution to their communities! How does this program run in South Carolina? Through Extension!

The Clemson University Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development uses a learn-by-doing approach to help youth gain the knowledge and skills to be responsible, productive and contributing members of society. This mission is accomplished by creating safe and welcoming learning environments, the involvement of caring adults, and utilizing the expertise and resources of Clemson University and the nationwide land-grant university system.

State specific upcoming events or highlights of the past?

Our Clemson Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Agents work with local adult volunteers to form clubs that meet the interests and needs of their community. Over 122,000 youth statewide benefited from 4-H this past year.  Counties offer a variety of 4-H programs from clubs, day camps, independent-study work, competitions, and in-school enrichment across areas of agriculture and animals, civic engagement, healthy living, natural resources, and STEM.  From supporting AI and digital literacy and competing in bridge-building challenges to learning about our watersheds and how to care for animals, 4-H has something to spark every youth’s imagination and equips young people with the real-world skills, resilience, and confidence needed for future life and career challenges.  For every dollar invested in a 4-H’er, there’s a $40 return in economic benefit to the youth, their family, and the community.  You can learn about local clubs or become an adult volunteer by contacting your local 4-H Youth Development Agent, as well as see what is offered statewide online.  Come see 4-H in action at the following upcoming events:

Tractor Supply Co. Paper Clover Campaign (November 27-December 13) – Support 4-H by donating a dollar at checkout in any local store to support 4-H programming!

South Carolina State Fair (October 15-25) – Check us out at our booth in the Ellison Building or visit the animal shows and exhibits! Members and volunteers get in free on 4-H Day on Saturday, October 17^th.

CAFLS Tailgate and Youth Day (November 14) – All 4-H and FFA groups are invited to participate in annual Clemson experience. Registration is available and packages are $75 each which include a ticket to the football game against Georgia Tech, a meal ticket, and a T-shirt.

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/.

Can you tell the difference between a red-eyed vireo call and an American robin call? Can you tell me what a northern bobwhite eats? High schoolers from across the country can and will get to showcase these talents this July.

Often, our Clemson Extension program teams work together to conduct programs for the state and even the country.  A great example of these team efforts is the Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP), where the Clemson Extension Natural Resources, 4-H, and Agriculture Education Teams work together to host our annual State Contest.  This past July, Clemson Extension took these efforts one step further. Clemson hosted the National Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) National Contest, a program for 4-H and FFA high schoolers to learn more about wildlife management and wildlife biology.   

Staff Senator and Membership Committee Co-Chair, Mallory Maher, currently serves as the WHEP National Committee Chair and led the efforts to host 18 teams in South Carolina at the South Carolina FFA Leadership Center in Cherry Grove, SC.  This was the first time South Carolina has hosted the National contest in almost 30 years.

During the contest, youth had the opportunity to meet and interact with professionals from the wildlife industry at a fun, hands-on education day, and then put their wildlife knowledge to the test through various activities, ranging from a wildlife ID contest to writing a wildlife management plan.  This program is truly one of the most hands-on and applicable programs in existence, giving youth a glimpse of what a potential career in wildlife or natural resources might look like.

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/.

You are likely familiar with the fact that Clemson University is one of two land-grant institutions in South Carolina. As part of that land-grant mission, Clemson Extension brings research-based education and resources directly to communities across the state.

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service brings the University to the community through offices in every county and research stations throughout the state. Extension funding differs somewhat from other areas of the University, with an additional budget line item in the state budget through Clemson Public Service and Agriculture (PSA). PSA delivers impartial, science-based information through research, outreach, and regulatory programs designed to improve the quality of life in South Carolina.

Extension staff serve on one or more of the 11 program teams: 4-H Youth Development, Agribusiness, Agriculture Education, Agronomic Crops, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), Food Systems and Safety, Forestry and Wildlife, Horticulture, Livestock and Forages, Rural Health and Nutrition, and Water Resources. Extension Agents, Associates, and Specialists determine local needs and develop educational programming and resources to address those needs. Our county offices send various types of samples to on-campus labs for identification and analysis.

Because Extension employees work across South Carolina, have unique position classifications, and serve communities through educational programming and outreach, Extension staff established the Extension Senate to address issues specific to our roles and responsibilities. We greatly value our partnership with the Clemson Staff Senate, which helps ensure Extension remains connected to the broader University community. Extension employees frequently collaborate with faculty and staff across Clemson on research, education, and outreach initiatives. To learn more about Clemson Extension, our programs, and the people who serve South Carolina communities every day, visit our website.

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/.