Clemson Extension Upstate District

Greenville 4-H Kicks Off a New Year

Posted on by Amy Mallette

Amie Mabe
4-H Youth & Development Agent
Greenville

Amie Mabe and 4-H holding a rabbit

Greenville 4-H kicked off the first month of the new 4-H year with an exciting Open House at the Greenville State Farmers Market. Families enjoyed learning more about 4-H opportunities while celebrating with farm-fresh ice cream generously sponsored by Happy Cow Creamery.

The following day, the South Greenville Fair opened in Simpsonville, bringing together many talented 4-H youth who showcased their livestock projects, including goats, dairy cows, and rabbits. Their hard work, dedication, and commitment were on full display throughout the fair.

4-Hers working on a project

Greenville 4-H clubs are open and ready to welcome new members! Visit our website to explore our club listings and find the right opportunity for your family.

Posted in GreenvilleTagged

Expanding Access to Obesity Care and Treatment in the Upstate

Posted on by Amy Mallette
Camilla Herndon
Rural Health & Nutrition Agent
Greenville & Laurens Counties
RHN Agent, Camilla Herndon, and RHN Associate, Danielle MCFall, with their training certificates at the American Diabetes Association in Arlington, Virginia.
RHN Agent, Camilla Herndon, and RHN Associate, Danielle MCFall, with their training certificates at the American Diabetes Association in Arlington, Virginia.

In October 2025, the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) invited the Clemson Extension Rural Health and Nutrition (RHN) team to participate in a pilot program to address obesity care and treatment. The Clemson Extension Rural Health and Nutrition team was one of 10 selected organizations for the obesity care program.

Obesity is a prevalent condition. In 2024, approximately 2 in 5 adults in the United States had obesity. In previous years, 1 in 4 U.S. adults had obesity, indicating an increase in new cases. While some believe that obesity is caused by a lack of willpower, poor eating habits, or a lack of physical activity, these beliefs are an inaccurate generalization. There are several factors outside of a person’s control that contribute to obesity, such as genetics, stress, grief, and trauma, medications, sedentary jobs, lack of access to healthcare, food deserts, and lack of safe spaces for recreation.

RHN Agent, Camilla Herndon, facilitating the Understanding Obesity as a Chronic Disease program with a group in Fountain Inn, SC.
RHN Agent, Camilla Herndon, facilitating the Understanding Obesity as a Chronic Disease program with a group in Fountain Inn, SC.

The Understanding Obesity as a Chronic Disease program, outreach of the Obesity Association™, a division of the ADA, focuses on understanding obesity as a chronic disease, addressing stigma, roadblocks to care, and evidence-based strategies for prevention and management. The program emphasizes why obesity treatments involve more than just an eating plan and physical activity. As of August 2026, Clemson Extension’s RHN Agent, Camilla Herndon, and RHN Associate, Danielle McFall, had facilitated 6 program sessions for communities across the Upstate.

If you or your organization is interested in the Understanding Obesity as a Chronic Disease program, check Eventbrite for upcoming sessions or email Camilla at herndo3@clemson.edu to schedule.

Posted in Greenville, Laurens, Rural Health & NutritionTagged

Greenville County Horticulture: A Busy Year and More to Come

Posted on by Amy Mallette

Drew Jeffers
Horticulture Agent
Greenville

It has been a busy spring and summer for horticulture programming in Greenville County, and the pace is not slowing as we head into fall and begin looking ahead to 2027.

Over the past several months, much of my work has focused on helping homeowners, Master Gardeners, and green-industry professionals make better horticultural and pest-management decisions. That has included educational programs, professional training, diagnostic assistance, research, and the continued development of new Extension resources.

This summer also provided several opportunities to share some of that work beyond Greenville County. In August, I presented three research projects at the American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference in Dallas. Those presentations focused on consumer demand for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) services, Master Gardener knowledge of IPM, and factors affecting long-term retention of Master Gardener volunteers.

Closer to home, work has continued on the South Carolina Certified Landscape Professional program, including efforts to update and strengthen the curriculum for future participants. We have also been developing new educational resources for the green industry, including an IPM video project with the Clemson Campus Research Greenhouses and the transition of commercial pesticide applicator exam-preparation material into a more applied, online, on-demand IPM course.

A Full Fall Ahead

Fall 2026 is already shaping up to be busy.

Our Greenville County Master Gardener Training Course began in September and will continue through February 2027. Over the next several months, participants will work through topics ranging from soil and plant physiology to pest management, trees and shrubs, diagnostics, and other core horticultural subjects.

On October 17, I will be at the Kilgore Lewis House Fall Festival and Plant Sale, presenting Increasing Biodiversity in the Landscape and answering gardening questions at a horticulture Q&A booth.

October will also bring our annual IPM Symposium, which provides continuing education for landscape, nursery, greenhouse, and other green-industry professionals. The program focuses on practical, research-based approaches to pest identification, diagnosis, pesticide stewardship, and Integrated Pest Management.

In November, Jackie Jordan and I will present a hands-on Microscope and Diagnostics Workshop at the South Carolina State Master Gardener Conference in Myrtle Beach. The workshop will give Master Gardeners an opportunity to strengthen their diagnostic skills and gain experience with microscopes and other tools for investigating plant problems.

Looking Ahead to 2027

We are already planning a full slate of horticulture programs for next year.

For green-industry professionals, 2027 programs will include live webinars on plant diagnostics, biological controls, ornamental diseases, thrips, mites, whiteflies, and scale insects. We are also planning pesticide applicator training opportunities, a Greenhouse & Nursery Growers Summit, and continued IPM programming.

Homeowners will have several opportunities as well. Programs already planned include:

  • Landscaping with Sun Perennials
  • Landscaping with Shade Perennials
  • Ornamental Landscape IPM
  • Vegetable Garden Pest Management
  • Using Shrubs in the Landscape

I am also planning to expand public outreach through garden center Q&A booths during the spring gardening season. These informal events will provide an opportunity for homeowners to stop by, ask gardening questions, learn about Clemson Extension resources, and receive research-based information as they make decisions for their landscapes and gardens.

Another longer-term goal is the development of an advanced diagnostics and IPM training program for experienced Master Gardeners. This will likely be a collaborative effort involving Extension agents and specialists, focusing on practical diagnosis, scouting, symptom recognition, and pest management decision-making.

Staying Connected

One of the goals of Clemson Cooperative Extension is to make research-based horticultural information practical and accessible, whether you are managing a commercial landscape, growing plants professionally, volunteering as a Master Gardener, or simply trying to keep your own lawn and garden healthy.

As registration opens for these programs, details will be shared through Clemson Extension and Greenville County program announcements.

There is a lot ahead in 2027, and I look forward to continuing to work with homeowners, volunteers, and horticulture professionals throughout Greenville County and across South Carolina.

Posted in GreenvilleTagged

Cattlemen’s Field Day: Adding Value to Your Calf Crop

Posted on by Amy Mallette

Christopher LeMaster, Jr.
Area Livestock & Forages Agent
Cherokee, Spartanburg, & Union Counties

A large crowd of cattlemen

For many cattle producers, a year’s worth of work can come down to one day.

Across our region, many cow-calf producers market their annual calf crop in the fall, often through a local livestock sale barn. The price those calves bring on sale day can play a major role in determining whether the operation is profitable for the year. Yet producers often leave the sale with a familiar question: Why did some calves bring more than others?

Cattlemen listening to a speaker

The answer is rarely simple. Cattle buyers consider numerous factors when determining what they are willing to pay, from cattle futures and market conditions to a calf’s frame, muscling, health, and management history. While producers cannot control the market, there are management decisions they can make at home that can influence how buyers value their calves.

Clemson Cooperative Extension partnered with livestock and industry professionals to help producers better understand those decisions through a hands-on cattlemen’s field day focused on what buyers look for and management practices that pay.

A key partner in the program was LeMaster Livestock, an order buyer based in Gaffney, South Carolina, that purchases cattle throughout much of the Southeast. On a slow week, the operation may move approximately 30 loads of calves and routinely bids on cattle at sale barns across a 600-mile radius of South Carolina, in addition to tele-auctions and video auctions. Their experience provided producers with a real-world perspective on the traits buyers evaluate and the management practices they are willing to reward.

Rather than simply talking about those characteristics in a classroom, attendees were able to see them firsthand. Producers evaluated several different loads of calves alongside experienced cattle buyers and discussed the characteristics that influenced the value of each group.

Cattlemen listening intently

The program then moved chute-side, where participants received hands-on demonstrations of practical management practices that can improve calf marketability, including castration, dehorning, and vaccination. Representatives from animal health and nutrition companies also participated, providing producers an opportunity to learn about products and tools available to support their operations.

The field day drew more than 200 attendees from South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia. Members of the county’s legislative delegation, including Senator Harvey Peeler and Representatives Dennis Moss and Brian Lawson, were also in attendance. Strong participation from producers, sponsors, and industry partners created opportunities for conversations and interaction throughout the program.

Because the field day was recently held, formal evaluation results are still being collected. However, Extension received unsolicited phone calls from participants following the program expressing their appreciation for the event and, in particular, its practical, hands-on approach to learning.

At its core, the field day was an example of farmers helping farmers, facilitated and guided by Extension and industry expertise. By sharing practical knowledge and real-world experience, producers gained a better understanding of what cattle buyers value and management decisions that pay.

Posted in Cherokee, Livestock & Forages, Local Community, Spartanburg, Union

4-H Cooks for their Community

Posted on by Amy Mallette

Haven Blackwell
4-H Youth & Development Agent
Cherokee

The Cherokee County 4-H Clovers in the Kitchen Cooking Club kicked off the year in September with a fun first meeting. Members rolled up their sleeves, learned how to make Pecan Pie Mini Muffins, and enjoyed spending time together in the kitchen. The tasty recipe was a great way to begin a year of cooking, learning, and trying new things.

The club was also invited to participate in the 2nd Annual Cherokee Flavor Fest, a community-wide celebration held at the Institute of Innovation. Businesses and organizations were invited to set up stations to display and serve their delicious products. Guests could peruse the food tables, visit with local groups, and take part in a silent auction. The event also featured lively entertainment, including singing, line dancing, and clogging.

Clovers in the Kitchen members brought their Pecan Pie Mini Muffins to share with the community. Along with offering a sample of what they had made, members had the opportunity to tell guests about 4-H and the club’s activities. Some members came out for the second night in a row to help share their creation and represent 4-H at the event.

It was a wonderful way for the club to put its new cooking skills to use and connect with the community. Clovers in the Kitchen has started the year strong, and members are looking forward to a great year filled with new recipes, hands-on learning, and opportunities to share what they create.

Young 4-Her making pecan pie muffins
Young 4-Hers making pecan pie muffins
Young 4-Hers making pecan pie muffins
Young 4-Hers washing dishes after making pecan pie muffins
Young 4-Hers making pecan pie muffins
4-Hers giving out pecan pie muffins in their community
Posted in CherokeeTagged

Liliana Flores, Spartanburg County’s New Face of EFNEP

Posted on by Amy Mallette
Liliana Flores, EFNEP Educator

Hi everyone! My name is Liliana Flores, and I’m excited to join Clemson Extension as the new Nutrition Educator for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) in Spartanburg County. I’m a recent graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition, and I am grateful to be in this role because it allows me to use my knowledge to help my community. I’m excited to grow in this role, learn from my community, and build meaningful connections while making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Outside of nutrition, I enjoy a little bit of everything! You can find me playing pickleball, dancing, running, reading, cooking, swimming, or playing with my niece. I wanted to share a recipe I tried recently from a creator on Tik Tok named @itzangiemacias. Not only was the food yummy, but it also included seasonal vegetables! This usually makes it easier to find in stores and bumps the prices down. If you grow your own food, then you just pick it out of your garden! The soup is full of nutrients and fiber which will help with overall health. I hope you love it and make it one of your go-to recipes this fall!

Recipe: Butternut Soup with Chicken Sandwich

Ingredients:

Soup

  • 1 Butternut squash
  • 1 Carrot
  • 1 Medium sweet potato
  • ½ White onion
  • 4 Garlic cloves
  • 2 Roma tomatoes
  • 1 Bell pepper (any color)
  • Salt and pepper
  • Paprika
  • 4-5 Cups vegetable broth (low sodium) or water

Chicken Mozzarella Sandwich

  • Whole grain bread
  • 3-4 oz chicken breast
  • ⅛ cup (≈ 14 g) of mozzarella cheese (low-fat) cheese *or cheese of your choice

Equipment

  • Knife/cutting board
  • Baking sheet
  • Blender
  • Pot
  • Skillet
Directions:

Soup:

  1. Prep the vegetables: Cut all vegetables into medium-sized cubes and spread them evenly onto a sheet pan – recommend leaving the skin on for more nutrients!
  2. Season: Drizzle with black pepper and salt and toss until the vegetables are evenly coated.
  3. Roast: Bake at 400°F for about 40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and lightly browned.
  4. Blend: Transfer the roasted vegetables to a blender. Add 4–5 cups of vegetable broth and blend until smooth and creamy.
  5. Heat the soup: Pour the blended soup into a pot and warm over low-medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure everything heats evenly.

Sandwich:

  1. Prepare the chicken: Pat a 3–4 oz chicken breast (about the size of your palm) dry with a paper towel. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
  2. Heat the skillet: Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a skillet and heat over medium-high heat.
  3. Cook the chicken: Place the chicken breast in the skillet and cook for about 7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  4. Let it rest: Remove the chicken from the skillet and allow it to rest for about 5 minutes before adding it to the sandwich.
  5. Build your sandwich: Place 2 slices of whole-wheat bread on a clean surface. Add ⅛ cup of mozzarella cheese to one slice, followed by the cooked chicken breast. Top with the second slice of bread.
  6. Toast: Place the sandwich in a skillet and toast both sides until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is warm and melty.
  7. Serve: Slice in half and enjoy your chicken mozzarella sandwich alongside your warm roasted vegetable soup!
Posted in EFNEP, Spartanburg

Water Chats, Drought, & El Niño

Posted on by Amy Mallette

Heather Nix
Upstate Regional Water Resources Agent
Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens, & Spartanburg

Water Chats Webinar Series

The 2026 Water Chats webinar series is happening this fall! The webinars are free and focus on relevant, timely water related topics. Register in advance for each of the upcoming webinars: Water Chats Webinar Registrations. Upcoming topics include Smart Waters: AI & Data Centers and Connected Waters: Conservation & Watershed Planning.

Water Chats: Webinar Series Dates

Drought & El Niño

Considering that the past year in SC is the driest September to August in 130 years (since SC started keeping records!), it’s not a surprise that we continue to have low water levels in ponds and reservoirs. The dry weather, accompanied by the prolonged heat has resulted in many people seeing extremely low water levels in ponds. See the recent “Why Are Some Ponds So Low?” blogpost for more information.

While conditions can vary significantly between locations and timing, in the past, strong El Ninos often bring average or above average precipitation to South Carolina over the winter. So hopefully our water supplies will gradually recover this winter. See the State Climatology Office’s El Nino/Southern Oscillation website for more information.

Posted in Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, SpartanburgTagged

Tomato Variety Demos in Upstate SC

Posted on by Amy Mallette

Andy Rollins
Upstate Commercial Horticulture Agent
Cherokee, Greenville, Spartanburg, Union, & York

One advance selection variety that stood out with a slightly higher brix content than other varieties.
One advance selection variety that stood out with a slightly higher brix content than other varieties.

In Upstate SC, I set up four on-farm tomato demonstrations with varieties coming out of Dr. Dilip Panthee’s NCSU tomato breeding program. Wayne Morgan, a research technician in the program, has been instrumental in getting Dr. Panthee’s varieties into growers’ hands for these demonstrations. The first two plantings in York County were unsuccessful.  More than 50% of the plants died within the first two weeks.  The extreme heat under which they were planted is believed to be the cause of their failure.  The second two, planted approximately 4 weeks later in Spartanburg County and Greenville County, have done well.

On September 14th, we harvested our first demonstration at the Estrada Farm.  We primarily took yield weights for each variety in the field at that time. We also kept ten representative fruit for further evaluation.  After refrigeration, I took the best 6 of the 10 and measured size, weight, pressure, and sugar content for each.  Then, a representative picture is taken of each variety from multiple angles (top, bottom, and side) and also sliced horizontally and vertically to see internal characteristics.  More extensive evaluations are done at the Mountain Horticultural Research Center in Mills River, NC.

Wayne Morgan and Hope Rollins, my daughter, helped with the harvest.
Wayne Morgan and Hope Rollins, my daughter, helped with the harvest.

There are two replications of nine large, fruited varieties and nine plum type varieties on each farm. There are common varieties, such as Mountain Fresh Plus (standard) that are compared to newer varieties, such as Mountain Defender and Mountain Ruby. Crown is a standard plum type we are comparing to other plum types. We are also looking at many advanced selections in both tomato types. Many of the newer varieties have a heat set gene and seem to have less white tissue spread from the stem ends. These varieties have handled this hot summer better than others.  Many of the new varieties also have a deeper red internal color as well as being meatier than older varieties in general.

Moving into early fall, I will continue to harvest and evaluate the rest of the demonstrations we have left.

Posted in Cherokee, Commercial Fruit & Vegetables, Greenville, Spartanburg, Union, York

From Roof to Soil

Posted on by Amy Mallette

Nicole Goodman
Urban Horticulture Agent

Extension Agent Nicole Goodman is steadily expanding her workshop offerings, including education on stormwater management—an important topic for protecting local water resources.

This year, Nicole offered two “Harvest the Rain” workshops, both of which filled to capacity with 15 attendees each.

Participants explored the legal considerations of rainwater collection nationwide, rainwater chemistry, stormwater management, and how everyday activities—such as washing a car—can affect water quality downstream.

The second half of the workshop focused on practical applications. Attendees learned how to calculate rainwater storage capacity, incorporate landscape features that manage stormwater, safely use collected rainwater in edible landscapes, and build and connect a rain barrel to a roof. Participants also had the option to purchase a rain barrel and installation kit.

“Harvest the Rain” is planned as an annual workshop.

Interested in suggesting a future workshop topic? Complete Nicole’s Qualtrics form to help identify the county’s educational needs: https://clemson.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_douhccsqDM63odo

Posted in SpartanburgTagged

Spartanburg 4-H is Growing!

Posted on by Amy Mallette

Laura Haddon
4-H Youth & Development Agent

The new 4-H year is off to an exciting start in Spartanburg County! Since the new club year began on September 1, more than 200 youth members and 30 adult volunteers have enrolled in Spartanburg County 4-H. We are excited to see so many young people getting involved, learning new skills, building friendships, and discovering opportunities to be #BeyondReady for their bright futures!

This year, Spartanburg 4-H is offering 16 community clubs covering a wide variety of interests, including sewing, cooking, fishing, livestock, STEM, leadership, and more. In addition, we have 7 in-school and homeschool co-op clubs connecting 4-H opportunities with youth in their schools and homeschool communities.

And we’re not done growing! We are currently working to add 6 additional clubs as volunteers and meeting venues become available. Our goal is to continue creating opportunities for even more Spartanburg County youth to participate in 4-H and find a project or club that sparks their interest.

Help Us Grow!

As Spartanburg 4-H continues to grow, community support is more important than ever. We are looking for:

  • Volunteers who are willing to share their time, talents, and interests with youth
  • Meeting venues where clubs can gather safely and regularly
  • Monetary donations to help provide supplies, activities, and opportunities for our members
  • Product and supply donations to support hands-on 4-H projects and programs

Whether you can volunteer your time, provide a place for youth to meet, donate supplies, or make a financial contribution, there are many ways to help Spartanburg 4-H grow!

If you have questions about joining 4-H, becoming a volunteer, starting or supporting a club, or making a monetary, product, or venue donation, please reach out to Spartanburg County 4-H Agent, Laura Haddon. I would love to connect with you and explore how you can be part of helping the next generation learn, lead, and grow through 4-H!

First Place Poultry Winner
Young man showing a cow
4-H Floral Arrangement Class
2 young girls building with Popsicle sticks
Group of young teenagers
4-Hers in a garden with Andy
Group of children in front of a tree
Posted in SpartanburgTagged