South Carolina to Issue Handy New Card for Ag Sales Tax Exemptions

SCATE Will Debut February 1, 2022

By Eva Moore, South Carolina Department of Agriculture

In 2022, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture is rolling out a handy new card for farmers to use for agricultural sales tax exemptions.

South Carolina state law offers several sales tax exemptions for items used in agricultural production. For many years, farmers have had to fill out a paper form, the ST-8F, to receive these exemptions.

But after April 1, 2022, farmers must instead show their SCATE (South Carolina Agricultural Tax Exemption) card to retailers to demonstrate they are eligible for these exemptions.

The program is similar to Georgia’s GATE card, but unlike in Georgia, South Carolina users do not need to meet a minimum farm income threshold to be eligible.

It’s important to understand that state law is not changing. Farmers will still be able to receive the same exemptions as before.

A SCATE card costs $24 and is good for three years.

You can apply for your SCATE card starting Feb. 1, 2022, using the online portal at scatecard.com or call 1-803-734-2210 Option 1 Debbie. You must apply and pay online or pay over the phone; there is no paper application.

You’ll need the following information in order to apply:

• Taxpayer ID Number – personal [SSN] or business [FEIN]
• Valid email address
• Credit card or bank account number

Questions about SCATE? Contact the South Carolina Department of Agriculture at scate@scda.sc.gov or 803-734-2210 Option 1 Debbie . For questions specifically about tax exemptions, you can email the South Carolina Department of Revenue at FarmExemption@dor.sc.gov. You can also read the FAQs at scatecard.com.

We have had a busy few months in Saluda County. We started the holiday season off in November hosting Giving at Thanksgiving workshop to 20 youth. We highlighted all programs areas in 4-H during the workshop. The highlight for most kids was making their own pie to take home for their family.

Also, during the month of November, we hosted the afterschool programs at the 4 local Primary and Elementary schools. During this meeting we discussed healthy lifestyles by discussing MyPlate and exercise.

In the beginning of December, we hosted Cooking Club to 20 youth. They made waffle cinnamon rolls, fruit salsa and homemade tortilla chips.

We ended the Holiday season with hosting a Christmas Magic workshop with 30 youth. We set up several activity tables. They made bags to wrap presents in, ornaments, greenery arrangements, decorated sugar cookies, made snow, and made scarves for the local Senior Center. Stephen Pohlman, Saluda Country Forestry agent, came to speak about the different types of Christmas trees and greenery around us.

Congratulations to Avery Quattlebaum and Mya Chapman for being a Blue Ribbon Winner and Midlands Regional Qualifier for the 2022 Senior 4-H Presentation Contest that will be held at Senior Teen Weekend on February 12^th.

We have several upcoming events happening with Saluda County 4-H:

February through April we will be hosting monthly cooking clubs and afterschool clubs.

March 18, 2022- Luck of the Irish Workshop- sign-ups will start mid-February.

April 11, 2022- Hoppy Easter Workshop- sign-ups will start mid-March.

Beginning of April Summer workshop schedule will be announced.

NEW CLUB ALERT:

Do you home school your kids? Would you like them to get involved in 4-H?

Starting on February 23rd during the day will be offering a monthly meeting from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. We will be highlighting general 4-H activities.

To join the 4-H club it will be $15 dollars. You will also need to register online at

https://v2.4honline.com. If you are a previous 4-H member; please email Lauren Black-Venegas,

your 4-H agent at lblack4@clemson.edu to get logon information. You will need to be registered by February 18th. We will be meeting February through May. If have additional questions, contact Lauren Black-Venegas or Clemson Extension Office at 864-445-8117.

State Events and Projects:

4-H Junior Weekend – 2022

South Carolina 4-H’ers from across the state travel to Camp Long, near Aiken, SC for the weekend of a lifetime! SC 4-H Junior Weekend is an annual event that many Junior division 4-H members (youth age 9-13) look forward to each year. Youth are immersed in a weekend of activities and workshops organized by the South Carolina 4-H State Teen Council. This is a great way for members to make new friends, have new experiences, and learn new skills through fun and adventure.

The theme this year is “Under the Sea“.
March 4-6, 2022 (Friday evening – Sunday morning)

Must be a South Carolina 4-H Member to register.  Register in 4HOnline. If you register by Dec. 31, the cost is $105.  If you register on January 1 and after, the cost is $125.

https://v2.4honline.com

The deadline to register is February 11, 2022.

South Carolina 4-H Honey Bee Project – This project runs from February through August 2022.

The Honey Bee Project is an independent-study project that engages youth (ages 5-18 years) in the active role of beekeeping, learning the basics of entomology, and gaining an appreciation for the role of pollinators in our world. Youth receive a record book and project-related educational materials with registration.  Non-members will also receive 4-H membership and a 4-H t-shirt with their registration.  Participants will need access to a honey bee colony to manage for the purposes of this project. Bees are not supplied with the project materials.  We highly recommend working with an experienced beekeeper and your local beekeeping associations may be a good resource for you.

Record books will be submitted at the county level for judging by August 5, 2022. County-winning record books in the Junior and Senior age divisions will advance to the regional- and state-level for judging.  Awards will be presented to regional and state project winner

Join us for the 2022 South Carolina 4-H Forestry Clinic!

This is an excellent opportunity for high school-age youth to learn more about forestry and forest practices. During the clinic, youth will gain hands-on experience from Clemson Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Professionals. The clinic will focus on tree identification, tree measurement, compass and pacing, and other forestry skill areas. No prior forestry knowledge or experience is required.

This year’s event will be one day only, on February 26th, and held at Harbison State Forest in Columbia.

Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/south-carolina-4-h-forestry-tickets-221437705137 

4-H Legislative Day

2022 SC 4-H Legislative Day is scheduled for March 8, 2022. Members, parents, volunteers, and supporters are invited to join us at the State Capital to tell your 4-H story. For more information or to register to attend, please contact Lauren Black-Venegas, lblack4@clemson.edu.

2022 4-H Pullet Chain Project will have registration open January 25 – March 1, 2022

The 4-H Pullet Chain is for youth that want to raise chicks supplied by a 4-H chick order. Day-old chicks will be placed beginning of May and the youth will raise them, participate in 4-H poultry project activities, and complete a 4-H poultry project record book. Registration for the 20224-H Pullet Chain is found on the SC 4-H Poultry Project website and will accept registrations January 25through March 1, 2022. This project is open to youth, ages 5-18, in every county of SC.

https://2022_sc4-h_pulletchain.eventbrite.com/

2022 4-H Laying Flock Project will have registration open January 25- May 2, 2022

The 4-H Laying Flock Project is for youth that already have a backyard flock or may want to order their own chicks (non-4H pullet order). Youth in this project have the same opportunities as those in the pullet chain. Youth will also complete a 4-H poultry project record book and receive e-newsletters. Registration for the 4-H Laying Flock project can be found on the SC 4-H Poultry Project website and will remain open until May 2, 2022. This project is open to youth, ages 5-18, in every county of SC.

4-H Summer Camp

4-H Club Summer Camp registration is now officially open. For youth ages 7-14. Go to the website for more information and instructions on how to register.
https://www.clemson.edu/extension/4h/about/camp.html

         Livestock and Forage producers around South Carolina are certainly ready for spring. The spring bull sales and replacement heifer sales are in full swing as this always seems to be a hectic time of the year. As we move into 2022, input costs in every sector of agriculture continue to rise. Producers will face many challenges this year as they manage their budgets to navigate the rise in input costs.

        The South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association held its annual meeting and convention on February 4^th at the T.E.D. Garrison Arena in Clemson. The educational components of the meeting focused on managing input costs during these challenging times. Scholarships and state awards of excellence were also presented. The South Carolina Cattlemen’s Foundation awarded six scholarships to deserving college students.

       The Saluda County Cattlemen’s Association will hold its 30^th Annual Replacement Heifer Sale on Saturday, February 26^th. Over 100 bred and open heifers will sale at auction from Saluda county cattlemen.

       The Saluda County Cattlemen’s Association met on February 10^th. Participants listened to an excellent presentation from Corteva about maximizing the return on investment for weed control.

Please click here to see what the local York County Extension Agents are doing: York County Winter 2022 Newsletter

South Carolina Dairy Heifer Project

The South Carolina Dairy Heifer Project began in 1974 and is one of the oldest 4-H projects of its kind in the nation. This project was designed to provide youth in South Carolina an opportunity to raise a dairy heifer and experience the dairy industry, and then sell their heifer at the South Carolina Dairy Heifer Project Bred Heifer Sale. Throughout the years, thousands of South Carolina youth have taken part in 4-H dairy work. These 4-H and Dairy Heifer Project alumni can be found in all “walks of life.” Many are outstanding farmers and leaders of the dairy industry, while others are doctors, veterinarians, and teachers. In nearly every case, these people look back on this 4-H dairy experience as an outstanding part of their youth.

As the dairy industry has changed and evolved over the years, so has the South Carolina Dairy Heifer Project. Due to COVID restrictions, the 2020 Bred Heifer Sale was held online for the first time with great success.  Due to that success, the sale has been permanently moved to an online format and the event dates have been adjusted to better suit the needs of the dairy industry. Through all the changes, the South Carolina Dairy Heifer Project has continued to thrive and reach youth across the state. Twenty-seven new heifers were placed in the Summer of 2021, 13 of which went to new project participants. Brown Swiss were also added for the first time in project history in 2021.

The 4-H and FFA dairy project members exhibit their dairy project animals at fairs, shows, and events in nearly every region of the state. Millions of people have seen or learned about 4-H and FFA through these youth dairy exhibits at the many fairs and events in South Carolina. This offers a tremendous opportunity for 4-H, FFA, Clemson Cooperative Extension, and the dairy industry to educate and inform the public about the dairy industry and youth dairy programs.  Many thanks go out to the industry for the support of the program. Heifers for the project come from project alumni and producers across the Southeast who have seen the impact the project has had and is continuing to have on our youth.

This year Newberry County 4-H has focused on developing county level projects for youth to participate in. Last summer, we held our first County Tomato Project. Nine youth participated in growing tomatoes that might be the largest or the ugliest in the county. As we were purchasing the prizes for these winners, things that they could grow in a fall garden, it was suggested that we try a Turnip Project since “turnips grow ugly too!” By September, we had 11 youth and 3 schools growing purple top turnips.

Each project started with a kick-off. This year, those were held virtually and led by Clemson Extension Horticulture Agents. Youth were exposed to the history of the crop and taught the do’s and don’ts of growing them successfully, how to harvest and measure for the project, and even what the tomato or turnip could be used for. For the Tomato Project, youth were given seedlings and for the Turnip Project, we started with seeds. In addition to growing and harvesting the plants, youth were expected to complete a project record book that allowed them to keep track of planting and harvesting dates, precipitation, problems in the garden, and project expenses/profits. At the culmination of the project, youth submitted photos and measurements of their largest fruit and ugliest harvest. We utilized social media for voting, allowing the community to choose the ugliest tomato and ugliest turnip in all the land, well at least in Newberry.

This project has been fun even though things haven’t always gone as expected, dates have had to be extended, and virtual can still be a challenge, but learning has always happened and since “learn by doing” is the motto of 4-H, we’ll call it a success!

The Mike Weatherford family, recipients of the Farm Family of the Year Award during the 2020 Spotlight on Agriculture.

Over 300 persons enjoyed the 2019 and 2020 Spotlight on Agriculture event.

The Laurens County Spotlight on Agriculture is an annual awards banquet held each year to honor the accomplishments of our local farmers and farm families.  The event will be held this year on March 10, 2022, in the First Presbyterian Church Family Life Center in Clinton, South Carolina.

We are very pleased to announce that Mr. Wayne Garber, Laurens County Cattleman, will be our speaker for this year’s Laurens County Spotlight on Agriculture.  Mr. Garber brings a level of humor to everyday farming activities that is very entertaining and will also provide some musical entertainment with his friend Jason Parson.

This event averages over 300 persons in attendance each year and is funded by sponsors of the event.   Tickets for the event are $10.00 each and are available at the Laurens Extension Office on 219 W Laurens Street in Laurens and from the Laurens Extension Advisory Committee members.

Stephanie Eidt
4-H Youth Development Fairfield County Extension Agent

Do you like working with children and/or want to be involved as your child explores their interests? Is your family suffering from the cabin fever of short winter days? Tired of the refrain “I’m bored” when there’s a wild and wonderful world out there?

Consider becoming a certified 4-H volunteer and offering positive experiences for students about a subject you enjoy. Clubs typically meet once a month to conduct an hour of hands-on interaction with a group of 5-20 students. 4-H is innovative and flexible and can support clubs around specialized topics such as fishing, sewing, or robotics. If you prefer to be less specialized, your group can investigate the breadth of 4-H programming with an Explorers’ Club.

Miss Stephanie can guide you through the application process and planning the club’s itinerary of activities. Through a club, members will have access to programmatic resources (like the aforementioned rocket launcher) and statewide opportunities like 4-H camp and the Pinckney leadership conference. 4-H relies on volunteers to make programming available to larger audiences, and we thank you for your interest. Inspiring a child is easier than you think! Contact Stephanie Eidt at 803-589-8977 or seidt@clemson.edu for more information.

Stephanie Eidt
4-H Youth Development Fairfield County Extension Agent

Wondering if 4-H programming is a good fit for your child? Consider signing them up for one or more of our upcoming no-commitment, no-cost virtual activities. The Fairfield 4-H office, in conjunction with the Chester 4-H office, will be exploring poultry, STEM, nutrition, and gardening in four one-hour sessions hosted on ZOOM this spring. Come practice a new skill, meet others with similar interests, and learn how 4-H opportunities can match your extracurricular goals.

The format of the Project Preview series will mimic a typical 4-H club meeting, allowing students to determine if joining a club fits their interests and availability. Thematically, they also tie-in to upcoming regional and statewide 4-H projects that can be completed on an individual level. Look at the Fairfield 4-H Facebook page or email seidt@clemson.edu for up-to-date information regarding projects and programming.

“Exhibitors showing at the Laurens County Youth Livestock Shows.”

Oh, how we missed our annual Youth Livestock Show!

The 2021 Laurens County Youth Livestock Show on October 2^nd & October 8^th-9^th was a major success. The dog and rabbit show were held at Laurens County 4-H’s Down on the Farm event at Squealin’ on the Square in Downtown Laurens. All other shows were held the following weekend at the Laurens County Exchange Building. Overall, we had 67 entries with 120 animals. All the exhibitors showed off their improvements and skill with their project animals during our dog, rabbit, beef, dairy, meat goat, and market lamb shows. Our judges were extremely impressed with the knowledge and poise each youth displayed when in the show ring. See below for our placings highlights and list of all our sponsors. Thank you to everyone that made this show possible – We could not have done it without you!