Clemson Extension Upstate District

Kicking Off the 51st South Carolina 4-H Dairy Heifer Project

Posted on by hpalece

July marked the exciting start of the 51st South Carolina 4-H Dairy Heifer Project! This long-standing tradition continues to provide opportunities for youth to learn about dairying and the dairy industry. The Dairy Heifer Project began in 1974 and was designed to provide boys and girls in South Carolina an opportunity to raise a dairy heifer and experience the dairy industry and then sell their heifer at the South Carolina 4-H Bred Dairy Heifer Sale before she begins milking. The project is a long-term project. This year, 24 participants from all corners of South Carolina received heifers. Youth received a dairy calf of one of four breeds: Holstein, Jersey, Guernsey, or Brown Swiss. Over the next 20 months, these young people will raise and care for their heifers, gaining invaluable skills in animal husbandry, responsibility, and showmanship. The journey culminates in the spring of 2027, when the now-bred dairy heifers will be marketed and sold to dairymen across the country through an online auction. The SC Dairy Bred Heifer Sale serves as an excellent source of herd replacements for South Carolina dairymen. In past years, heifers raised in South Carolina have gone on to begin their careers as milk producers in as many as eight different states! 

This year is especially exciting, as we welcomed 10 new families into the program—proof that the spirit of agriculture is alive and growing. The 4-H Dairy Heifer Committee is thrilled to see so many youth eager to step into the world of agriculture, many for the very first time.

With the 4-H motto being “learn by doing”, we believe one of the best ways to learn… is with an animal in hand.

Posted in Livestock & Forages, York

SC New & Beginning Farmer Program Graduates Class of 2025, Awards Pitch Contest Winners

Posted on by hpalece

The Clemson Extension South Carolina New and Beginning Farmer Program (SCNBFP) proudly celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2025, marking a milestone in the program’s 15-year history of empowering the next generation of South Carolina producers. This year’s cohort included 50 graduates who successfully completed the Certificate program and an additional 13 participants enrolled in the Audit track. Together, they represented a diverse cross section of South Carolina agriculture—from aspiring farmers launching their first enterprises to those expanding existing operations across a wide range of commodities and regions.

Throughout the five-month program, participants engaged in ten full-day workshops focused on essential agribusiness management and production topics. Sessions covered business planning, financial and risk management, marketing, legal and regulatory considerations, soil health, and integrated pest management. Participants also connected with Clemson Extension Agribusiness professionals, industry partners, and fellow farmers, gaining access to valuable resources and building relationships that will continue to support their success long after graduation.

A highlight of this year’s program was the introduction of a Business Plan Pitch Contest, sponsored by SC Farm Credit, which provided cash prizes to support the growth and development of participants’ farm operations. The competition showcased the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation of South Carolina’s beginning farmers. Congratulations to this year’s winners: 1st Place – Amy Sudbeck; 2nd Place – Mercedes Bouyer; 3rd Place – Jacob Towe; and 4th Place – Denese Tyler.

From left to right:  Jacob Towe, Jubilee Farms (3rd place); Mercedes Bouyer, The Bouyer (2nd place); Amy Sudbeck, Sudbeck Farms (1st place); Denese Tyler, Tyler’s Flower Farm (4th place)

With more than 650 program alumni to date, the SCNBFP continues to serve as a vital resource for new and beginning farmers across the state. By providing the tools, knowledge, and confidence needed to build viable, sustainable farm businesses, the program is strengthening rural communities, expanding access to locally produced food, and ensuring that agriculture remains a cornerstone of South Carolina’s economy for generations to come.

Posted in YorkTagged

Laurens County Youth Livestock Show 

Posted on by lholson

Lauren Smith, 4-H Agent

Youth Dairy Showmanship

The Laurens County Youth Livestock Show brought together almost 150 young exhibitors from 19 counties across South Carolina to showcase their hard work and dedication to animal care. This year’s event featured a wide variety of livestock, including beef and dairy cattle, swine, rabbits, dogs, and meat goats at our brand-new Agricultural Center.  

Creative Contest

Alongside the livestock show, youth also had the chance to show off their creative talents in the expanded Youth Creative Contest. There were over 55 entries ranging from photography and delicious homemade foods to sewing projects, pottery, and original drawings. Each piece reflected the imagination, effort, and unique style of its creator. The contest was a great reminder that 4-H youth programs aren’t just about animals. Young people have opportunities to express themselves, try new skills, and be proud of their creativity as well. 

Families, friends, and community members filled the stands, cheering on the youth and celebrating the importance of agriculture in Laurens County. Their support made the show feel welcoming, celebrating not just the animals in the ring but also all the hard work the kids put in to get there. 

Posted in LaurensTagged

New 4-H Clubs Growing in Laurens County 

Posted on by lholson

Lauren Smith, 4-H Agent

Exciting things are happening in Laurens County 4-H! Several new clubs are forming, and a few clubs are reestablishing, giving local youth even more opportunities to explore their interests, build leadership skills, and connect with others in the community. 

Homeschool Club
Homeschool Club
Crafty Crew

Among the newest additions are: 

Crafty Crew – A perfect fit for creative minds who love hands-on art and DIY projects. 

Herd & Harvest Club – Combining agriculture and animal science for youth passionate about livestock and farming. 

Crusader 4-H Club at Laurens Academy – Bringing the spirit of 4-H directly into the LA school community. 

Among the relaunched clubs are: 

Homeschool 4-H – A program for homeschool families to engage in fun, educational 4-H experiences. 

Teen Council – Youth leaders who are passionate about making a difference in their clubs, community, and beyond. 

These exciting new clubs are supported by the strong foundation of our established groups Raiders at Laurens High, Clinton House Shell Shockers, Joanna Woodson Afterschool, and the ever-popular Greenville- Laurens Dairy Club, which continues to offer enriching experiences for members interested in dairy education and animal care.  

From cooking and crafts to agriculture and service, each club provides a space where kids can learn by doing, grow their confidence, and make lasting friendships. Dedicated parents and volunteers play an essential role in supporting these efforts, helping to guide the next generation of 4-H members.  As these clubs take root and flourish, Laurens County youth will have more opportunities than ever to grow, lead, and make their mark. 

Posted in LaurensTagged

Laurens County Hosts a Hybrid Master Gardener Course

Posted on by lholson
SC Master Gardener Logo

Bryan Smith, Area Extension Agent-Agricultural Engineer

The Laurens County Extension Office is currently hosting a hybrid Master Gardener course.  The Master Gardener course began on August 12, 2025 and will meet each Tuesday through December 2.  This year’s course has 5 students.

Students in the course will complete 16 three-hour classes on subjects including lawn care, vegetable gardening, urban tree care, soils and plant nutrition, tree fruits and small fruits, and many more.  Each class is presented by an Extension Agent or a Master Gardener graduate that has experience in the subject matter, which allows them to provide practical experience along with research-based information.

This year’s course is once again a hybrid model, which includes 9 in-person presentations and 11 presentations by video (20 presentations in total will be presented over the 16 week course).  The hybrid model is an attempt to provide the same training to Master Gardener students across the State so they will all have the same base knowledge in the “Core” subjects.  The in-person classes allow coordinators to tailor the course for each county’s needs by offering local topics most useful to their students.

After completing the course the students will provide 40 hours of community service over the next 12 months to become Certified Master Gardeners.

For more information about the program visit https://www.clemson.edu/extension/mg/ .

Posted in Laurens, Local CommunityTagged

Confined Animal Manure Manager Trainings – Virtual and In-Person

Posted on by lholson

Bryan Smith, Area Extension Agent-Agricultural Engineer

Confined Animal Manure Managers Program

SC State Regulation R.61-43 requires all confined animal facility operators to attend the Confined Animal Manure Manager (CAMM) certification program provided by Clemson Extension.  The CAMM team has worked hard to provide trainings for South Carolina’s confined animal facility operators this year.  From July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 Bryan Smith (Laurens), Brian Beer (Lancaster), Lee van Vlake (Florence), and Amber Starnes (Chesterfield) worked together to offer two initial, full day trainings and also worked with local county agents across the state to provide 65 recertification trainings including 53 in-person trainings and 12 online Zoom trainings.

Presenters included Bryan Smith, Dr. Julie Helm (Livestock Poultry Health), Dr. John Chastain (Clemson University), Dr. Sean Eastman (Livestock Poultry Health), Lee van Vlake, Brian Beer, and Tonya O’Cain (SCDES).  Topics included “Crop Utilization of Manure Nutrients and Soil Fertility,” “Vectors and Vector Control,” “Horse Manure Issues and Management,” “Mortality and Composting,” “Energy Saving Opportunities for Swine Facilities,” “Beef Grazing Systems and Water Quality Protection,” “Poultry Litter Fertilization for Hybrid Bermudagrass,”  and “Tunnel Ventilation & Evaporative Cooling: Heat Stress Reduction, Performance, and Energy Use,” as well as several others.

597 growers attended the in-person recertification trainings and 435 growers attended the online recertification trainings.  60 growers attended the two initial, full-day trainings.

The team plans to offer two initial, full-day trainings in February 2026 and a slate of recertification trainings for our growers from January through March 2026 and another slate from late April through August 2026.  More information about the training program may be found at www.clemson.edu/camm .

Posted in Laurens, Livestock & ForagesTagged

Succession Planning Workshop was a Success

Posted on by Amy Mallette

Chris LeMaster
Livestock & Forage Agent
Cherokee, Spartanburg, & Union Counties

Succession Planning Workshop in Pacolet, SC

Over 97% of US farms are family-owned, and less than one-third have a formal succession plan.

Let’s try to imagine a business that is worth over a million dollars in assets and holdings. A new investor/partner has started with the company and scheduled a meeting with the CEO/Founder to discuss the transition plan. The CEO obliges, but instead of meeting in an office, they meet at the CEO’s kitchen table. The table is covered with invoices, receipts, seed, parts list and so forth. During the meeting, the CEO’s phone constantly rings with calls about fences, hay, and other “urgencies.” Both parties are beginning to wonder if this is a waste of time; unfortunately, the meeting gets cut short by an issue with a hay baler in the field. No progress was made.

This is a common scene in our family-run farms. Everyone would agree that developing a succession plan is a high-value task for our farm families. Still, the small, less valuable task often takes precedence due to its perceived urgency. 

On September 21st, there were over 75 farmers at the succession planning workshop in Pacolet, South Carolina. Speakers from FSA, SC land, and Clemson Extension gave farm families the tools necessary to get started with this vital task. We covered much ground but only scratched the surface of these critical topics. We are working on suggestions and feedback for the next installment of this workshop series. There were farmers from several counties in our region, and we had a great deal of support from our sponsors.

We look forward to equipping farmers now so these farms will still be in farmland tomorrow. Farms are businesses, and successful businesses need a good plan for carrying on to the next generation.

Posted in Cherokee, Livestock & Forages, Spartanburg, Union, Workshops

Cherokee County 4-H Teen Council: Building Leaders Through Service, Careers, and Civic Engagement

Posted on by Amy Mallette

Haven Blackwell
4-H Youth & Development Agent
Cherokee County

Cherokee County 4-H is excited to announce the launch of our new Teen Council club, a group designed to empower young people to become leaders in their communities and beyond. With a focus on community service, career exploration, and civic engagement, this club offers teens meaningful opportunities to grow while making a positive impact right here at home.

Our Teen Council currently consists of six dedicated teens who are already hard at work planning their first community service project. In partnership with a local soup kitchen, the club is developing a way to serve those in need and learn firsthand the importance of giving back. This project will not only benefit our neighbors but also help members gain valuable skills in leadership, organization, and teamwork.

Beyond community service, Teen Council will also focus on career exploration and civic engagement. Members will have the chance to:

  • Explore different career paths through guest speakers, workshops, and hands-on experiences.
  • Learn what it means to be an active and productive citizen.
  • Develop leadership skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

We are currently looking for more teens who want to be a part of this exciting new club. If you are passionate about making a difference, curious about future careers, or eager to get involved in your community, we invite you to join us!

For more information or to get involved with the Cherokee County 4-H Teen Council or any of our other opportunities, please contact your 4-H agent, Haven Blackwell, at daynab@clemson.edu or (864) 649-8252. Together, we can Make the Best Better. 

Life in 4-H

Poultry Judging
Poultry Judging
Blacksmithing
Blacksmithing
Cooking Club
Cooking Club

Click here for the Cherokee County 4-H Newsletter for October!

Posted in CherokeeTagged

Cooking Up Opportunities in 4-H

Posted on by hmcanty

Laura Haddon
4-H Agent
Spartanburg County

Three 4-H members participating in the National 4-H Food Challenge.

Three talented teen members of Spartanburg County 4-H recently took their cooking skills—and their 4-H journey—to the next level. They earned a coveted spot at the National 4-H Food Challenge Competition, held at the State Fair of Texas!

Ada Jarrett, John Jarrett, and Anna Vidrine have been active in Spartanburg County 4-H since their Cloverbud years. Over the past two years, this dynamic trio has sharpened their culinary skills by attending the South Carolina 4-H Cooking Like a Chef Summit and leading the Spartanburg County 4-H Cooking Like a Chef Camp.

In April, the team, joined by fellow member Micah Marsh, competed in the South Carolina Team Cooking Challenge and placed third statewide. That strong finish opened the door for Ada, John, and Anna to represent South Carolina on the national stage.

All summer long, the team met weekly to practice preparing appetizers, main dishes, and side dishes. Their dedication paid off. While they did not place in the top three, they proudly represented both our county and our state—making history as the first Spartanburg County 4-H Cooking Team to compete nationally!

We are incredibly proud of these youth and excited to see where their skills and leadership take them next. Their success marks just the beginning of a growing 4-H Cooking Program in Spartanburg County.

If you would like to support opportunities like this—whether by volunteering to lead a club or sponsoring the cost of ingredients for monthly meetings—please contact Spartanburg County 4-H Agent, Laura Haddon. Together, we can help even more young people discover their potential through 4-H.

Posted in SpartanburgTagged

Fairfield County 4-H Launches Seeds of Success: Youth Agri-Business Builders Program

Posted on by rzeider

Fairfield County 4-H is excited to announce the launch of the Seeds of Success: Youth Agri-Business Builders program, a new initiative designed to inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders and entrepreneurs. The program will be hosted in partnership with Set in Stone Sustainability Farm and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s ACRE program, with support from the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce and others.

High school students from across Fairfield County will have the opportunity to apply and participate in this innovative program. Through a series of hands-on workshops, leadership development activities, and business-building experiences, students will learn valuable skills in agribusiness, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.

At the conclusion of the program, one top participant will be named the Seeds of Success Winner. This winner will receive over $1,000 in conference scholarships and prizes, including a $200 cash award, to further support their growth as a young leader in agriculture.

“This program is about equipping our youth with the tools and confidence they need to think like entrepreneurs, problem solvers, and leaders in agriculture,” said 4-H Youth Development Agent, Martina Wicker. “We are thrilled to partner with organizations who share our vision of investing in the future of Fairfield County.”

Applications are open now and are due by September 26. Interested students may apply through Fairfield County 4-H, and spots will be available for youth from each high school in the county.

Fairfield County 4-H extends its gratitude to Set in Stone Sustainability Farm, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s ACRE program, and the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce for their partnership and support in making Seeds of Success possible.

For more information about the program or to access the application, please contact Fairfield County 4-H at (864) 985-2904 or mewick@clemson.edu. 

Posted in FairfieldTagged