Month: September 2024

Carolyn Dawson
Upstate Forestry Agent

It’s that time again, folks, time to Firewise your home. In order to help prevent a wildfire from destroying your home, you must prepare ahead of time. If there is ever an active wildfire in your area, you may be asked to leave immediately and not have time to defend your home. If your home is in or near the woods, then it is at risk of a wildfire.

The Firewise Program provides homeowners and communities with simple and easy steps to help reduce a home’s vulnerability by preparing ahead of time for a wildfire.
These steps are rooted in principles based on solid fire science research into how homes ignite. The program is promoted by the SC Forestry Commission and Clemson Extension. Here are a few basic, simple steps to help protect your home

• Clear leaves and other debris from gutters, eaves, porches and decks. This prevents embers from igniting your home. Leaf blowers can save you hours of time and labor!
• Remove vegetation and items that could catch fire from around and under decks.
• Remove flammable materials (firewood stacks, propane tanks, dry vegetation) within 30 feet of your home’s foundation and outbuildings, including garages and sheds. If it can catch fire, don’t let it touch your house, deck or porch.
• Prune back any tree limbs overhanging or touching your home’s roof, deck, porches, driveway, or outbuildings.
• Inspect the chimney and install a spark-arresting mesh screen if needed.
• Keep all vegetation at least 10 feet from chimneys or stovepipes.
• Remove or prune flammable plants and shrubs near windows.
• Create a separation between trees, shrubs, and items that could catch fire, such as patio furniture, wood piles, swing sets, etc.
• Cover exterior attic vents with metal wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch to prevent sparks from entering the home.
• Enclose under-eave and soffit vents or screen with metal mesh to prevent ember entry.
• Even though you don’t want to keep a garden hose attached to a spigot during the winter, make sure to keep it accessible if needed.

Although this list is far from complete, I’d like to personally add one extra bullet point to the list. Do you have a plan for your pets? Dogs can easily be led to the car, but what about cats and other small animals? What about farm animals such as chickens, goats, or horses?

So now that you know the steps to reduce the chance of home ignition from direct flame, firebrand showers, and radiant heat, there is one last thing to be mindful of, always safely dispose of fireplace ashes. Winds can reignite ashes and coals left on the ground days later. Firewise recommendations can help establish an effective line of defense in regions where fire is a potential hazard. Will you…your home be ready? Be Firewise!

For more information about the Firewise program, please visit www.firewise.org/usa or contact Carolyn Dawson, Upstate Forestry Agent Clemson Extension at Dawson4@clemson.edu .

Haven Blackwell
4-H Agent
Cherokee County

A new school year means new learning opportunities! This year, Cherokee County 4-H wants to enrich schools with positive agricultural learning experiences.

             We will offer our popular Caterpillar to Butterfly Project to all kindergarten teachers! Students make predictions and observations during this project and love seeing the physical changes made each day.

            For first grade teachers, we will offer a series of healthy lifestyles lessons where students will learn where their food comes from and what components are in that food that make it healthy. And let’s not forget the best part… taste tests!

Second graders will take part in Down on the Farm Day. Our partnership with the Institute of Innovation allows students to take a field trip to us where they will rotate through six different stations and experience a different aspect of farming at each one.

Third grade teachers! We have an awesome opportunity for you! Please contact me to learn how you can sign up to get South Carolina Farm Bureau’s Ag. Learning Lab in route to you this school year!

Fourth graders will be offered a series of agriculture lessons taught by me, your 4-H agent!

AgMags are wonderful resources to teach your students about agriculture. Fifth grade teachers can receive a class set of AgMags each month beginning in November on a variety of topics. Think, “How It’s Made”, agriculture style.

Last but certainly not least, embryology! Chick embryology is a fan favorite! Students enjoy incubating and hatching chicken eggs and caring for the chicks after hatching. Along with this hands-on experience, teachers will also receive very detailed curriculum to guide them through each day of the process with their students, making this an awesome learning experience for all! This program will be offered to any school librarian in Cherokee County (elementary, middle, and high school).

Aside from school enrichment, Cherokee County 4-H has many other opportunities to get involved in such as community cubs, independent projects, statewide events, and livestock shows. Please contact me if you are interested in getting your youth involved!

Mark Cathcart, Union County 4-H Agent

It’s an exciting time to be a 4-H’er in Union County.  Oftentimes it is difficult for 4-H clubs to find suitable space to hold meetings and do activities.  We are very fortunate in Union to have access to a great meeting room.  Recently that got even better, as the use of an entire building has been donated to Union 4-H. 

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Located on the Union County Fairgrounds is a 40’x60’ freestanding building that has not been utilized to is maximum potential for several years. Things would come and go, but nothing seemed to stick.  One of the problems was that no one wanted to tackle the upgrades needed.  As the Union Forged In 4-H program has grown, a larger, more suitable space was needed.  I approached the fair board and asked if they would give the use of the building to 4-H to conduct meetings for Forged In 4-H.  The board agreed and the journey began.

With the space secured, I set out to get 2 grants (the Clemson University Innovation Award, and the Union Community Grant) for the upgrades and a new project.  With help from Union County the improvements began to get the building to a workable state.  After seeing the improvements being made the fair board made an investment in the project by paying for a concrete walkway to be poured in the building. The new project would be another level of Forged In 4-H in the form of an 1850’s style blacksmith shop.  This shop will be used to teach traditional coal forging as well as demonstrations during events held at the fairgrounds for the purpose of promoting 4-H. 

At the time of this newsletter the project is not complete, but we are getting close.  Our goal was to have it up and running for the Union County Farm Show on September 21, 2024, and we did.  When completed an investment of around $25,000 will have been made overall on this endeavor.  It will pay back dividends for many years to come through education, demonstrations, and the preservation of history.

Andy Rollins, the Commercial Horticulture Agent for the Upstate, has been working on a project to help growers fumigate the soil more safely and effectively.  This process will help treat and prevent soil-borne diseases and nematodes. In the past growers have used shank type fumigation that involves pulling a plastic bedding machine that has injection shanks in the middle of the bed.  The fumigant is carried on the tractor also and is run through shanks.  Using this method the machine is picked up and put down at the end of every row and lifted in the air.  Workers on the ground assisting are often exposed to fumigant vapors from dripping lines.  Andy is showing growers how to put the gas into the drip system to allow the water to distribute it more efficiently.  This is a closed system with much less exposure for all. Andy has done on-farm demonstrations three times already this year and has three more planned. At Andy’s last demonstration meeting in August growers from at least three states gathered to learn this technique.

It’s been an exciting and busy few months for York County 4-H, and we’re thrilled to share some of the incredible milestones, achievements, and upcoming events that have kept our 4-H family thriving.

A Look Back: Achievements and Milestones

Over the past six months, York County 4-H has seen tremendous growth and enthusiasm, with over 500 registered members taking part in various projects and events that span our five program areas: STEM, Agriculture, Healthy Lifestyles, Civic Engagement, and Natural Resources. Here are just a few highlights from recent months:

Summer Camps: Fun, Learning, and Adventure

This past summer, York County 4-H offered a variety of engaging and educational summer camps that provided youth with opportunities to explore new interests, build friendships, and develop important life skills. From agriculture-focused camps, where participants learned hands-on about animal care and gardening, to STEM camps that sparked creativity and problem-solving, there was something for everyone. One of the highlights was our outdoor adventure camp, where youth enjoyed fishing, team-building activities, and learning about natural resources. These camps not only helped 4-H’ers gain knowledge but also created lasting memories and fostered a love for learning in a fun and supportive environment. We can’t wait to see what next summer holds!

York County 4-H Banquet

On August 29th, we gathered at 145 Blackburn St. in York, SC, for the 2024 York County 4-H Banquet. This event celebrated the dedication and achievements of our 4-H’ers, with 177 awards presented to members who excelled in their respective projects. A total of 75 youth were recognized for their outstanding efforts, and we had the honor of hearing from McKenna Johnson, a York County 4-H Alumna who is now studying at Clemson University. She inspired everyone in attendance by sharing her 4-H journey and the impact it had on her life. We also heard from Gavin Lewis, our 2023-2024 Teen Council President, who reflected on the past year and looked forward to the bright future ahead for York County 4-H. 

Multi-Species Showmanship Clinic and Supreme Showman Contest

This summer, York County 4-H hosted a Multi-Species Showmanship Clinic, providing our youth with hands-on training in showing a variety of animals, including cattle, goats, poultry, and swine. Participants had the chance to work with experienced mentors, learning the skills needed to handle and present different species in a competitive setting. This clinic culminated in the highly anticipated Supreme Showman Contest, where our talented 4-H’ers showcased their skills in front of judges, competing for the prestigious title of Supreme Showman. The contest not only tested their knowledge and abilities across multiple species but also demonstrated their dedication, hard work, and versatility as livestock exhibitors. This event proved to be one of the most challenging yet rewarding opportunities for our 4-H youth to demonstrate their mastery of showmanship and animal care. Congratulations to Senior 4-Her, Mattie Johnson, for being awarded this year’s Grand Champion in our Supreme Showman Contest.

Fall Livestock Show

The highly anticipated Fall Livestock Show was held on September 6th and 7th in Rock Hill. This event continues to be a highlight for our members who raise livestock, as well as a fantastic opportunity for the broader community to see firsthand the hard work our youth put into caring for their animals. Over 100 youth from all over the county gathered to show their livestock. Shows included Dairy Cattle, Dairy Goats, Horses, Poultry, and Meat Goats. We were honored to have the continued support of Councilman Tommy Adkins, who backed this event, and Councilwoman Christi Cox, who showed her support for the Dairy Goat project. These relationships between our 4-H members and local leaders demonstrate the strong ties we’ve built within the community.

Introducing the 4-H Bluegrass Project

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new 4-H Bluegrass Project, a unique opportunity for youth to dive into the world of Bluegrass music while developing leadership skills and a sense of community. This project has been a dream in the making for nearly two years, and we are excited to finally kick it off! Bluegrass music holds a special place in many of our lives, and through this project, we hope to share that passion with the next generation. Participants will not only learn to play and appreciate Bluegrass music but also gain valuable skills such as teamwork, confidence, and public speaking. The project will culminate in a trip to the SPBGMA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America) in Nashville, TN, where members will experience the heart of the Bluegrass community. This project is sure to be an unforgettable experience, combining music, leadership, and community service in true 4-H spirit!

Stay Tuned for More!

As we head into the fall, we encourage everyone to stay connected with York County 4-H through our newsletters and social media pages. With so many exciting projects, events, and opportunities on the horizon, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for our 4-H’ers. Whether it’s through leadership, community service, or showcasing their skills in competitions, York County 4-H youth are proving they have what it takes to succeed and make a positive impact.

Thank you to all of our volunteers, sponsors, and supporters for making these incredible experiences possible. Your dedication to York County 4-H helps ensure that we continue to “make the best better” for our community.

We look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming events!

Kristin Kunde

York County 4-H Agent
Cooperative Extension
Clemson University

120 N. Congress Street
York, SC 29745

803-639-9102
kkunde@clemson.edu

The growing importance consumers have placed on knowing where their food comes from has resulted in an increase in small-scale and backyard farming. A series of learning sessions and workshops aimed to educate those who are or are considering on producing their own meat, milk, or eggs has begun in York and surrounding counties by Clemson Extension Livestock and Forage agents. To date, four poultry, one goat, and one dairy workshop have been delivered with over 100 participants attending at least one. These programs have been held in conjunction with the Clover and Fort Mill Libraries and at local farms. The goal for these initial programs is to help participants determine if small-scale or backyard farming is right for them and the steps that need to be taken to get started. More in-depth workshops are being planned so if you are interested please contact the York County Extension Office.

Tina Horne
Livestock and Forages Agent
State Dairy Program Coordinator
thorn@clemson.edu

Bryan Smith, Area Extension Agent-Agricultural Engineer

This fall a huge number of Fall Armyworms invaded Laurens County.  Fall Armyworms are usually in our county in some small number each year, but this year’s numbers created quite a bit of damage in landscapes, pastures, and hayfields.

Fall Armyworms migrate northward each year from the Gulf coast and may arrive in Laurens County as early as August.  There may be as many as three “waves” of armyworms each year depending on many factors.  The Fall Armyworm life cycle is typically 30 days in the summer, with the larval or caterpillar stage being the destructive one.  Fall Armyworms remain in the caterpillar stage for 14 days and are most destructive during the last 4 days of that stage.  They then pupate and emerge as moths, which feed on nectar from various flowers and are not destructive.

Fall Armyworms seem to prefer bermudagrass, crabgrass, johnsongrass, millet, and sorghums.  They will ignore other grasses such as fescue and bahia while sufficient quantities of their preferred foods are present.  However, if those food sources are exhausted before they pupate they will move to less desirable species and decimate them as well.  This happened in 1977 in Laurens County when Fall Armyworms killed entire pastures of fescue after they had eaten their preferred crops.

Rainfall does encourage the growth of fungi that are detrimental to Fall Armyworms, but it does not kill them.  Clemson Extension recommends that insecticides be used to control them when growers see 3 armyworms in a one square foot area.  If Fall Armyworms are found in a hay crop we recommend that the hay be harvested if it has enough growth to do so – Fall Armyworms eat green growth and will not eat cured hay.  Local Extension Offices can provide a list of insecticides labelled for use in lawns, pastures, or hay fields.

 

Heather Nix
Upstate Water Resource Agent

New Online Course! Seasonal Pond Management If you own or manage a freshwater pond, the Seasonal Pond Management course is for you! For $15, you’ll receive on-demand access to course materials for 365 days. The course focuses on actions throughout the year that can help maintain a healthy pond.

 

Water Chats

We are wrapping up another successful season of the Water Chats program with final sessions in September and a student-focused session in October. This partnership between Clemson Extension, S Sea Grant Consortium, and the SC Water Resources Center, has helped educate professionals across the state on a range of water quality issues and solutions.

Missed a webinar that you you wanted to see? Let us know (nix4@clemson.edu) and we’ll provide access to the recordings, when available.

Upcoming events: Please visit the Clemson Extension Events Calendar for information on various events.

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

Safety data (2019) by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the agriculture sector continues to be the most dangerous in America with 573 fatalities, or an equivalent of 23.1 deaths per 100,000 workers. Even in Cherokee County, we have had two ag-related fatalities less than a year apart. As we prepare for the busyness of fall hay harvest, a reminder about farm safety is much needed.

On August 1^st we held a farm safety workshop tailored for cattle and hay producers. Typically, safety talks bring about a glazed and yawning audience. However, our speaker, Marion Barnes, used many real-life examples from around our state. He shared startling facts about the dangers of youth around farms. One point that shapes the deadly youth statistics is that on most farms, there is no separation between the barnyard and the children’s play area . This leads to complacency around dangerous equipment for both the youth and the parents.

Aside from the loss of limb or life, accidents on the farm are very costly and, in many cases, can bankrupt a farm. If you want to see your farm passed down another generation, you had better make good decisions on your “calculated” risks around equipment and livestock.

After the presentation, many stories were shared with the audience about ag-related deaths and injuries in our county from the past couple of decades. I received several calls after the workshop from farmers stating they appreciated the safety talk and planned to implement changes in their operations.

This program stemmed from an in-service training held on June 3^rd at the Sandhills Experiment Station. Agents and specialists from across the state received presentations and demonstrations on farm safety topics. The demonstrations included legally transporting equipment, Rollover protection systems, and grain bin rescue. The grain bin rescue simulator was the most impressive demonstration. It was designed and constructed by the Ag Mechanization department to fit a small grain bin on top of an enclosed trailer that houses specialized equipment for the extraction demonstration. This trailer has been all over the state to help rescue teams train for grain bin entrapment. We plan to have this trailer visit some local fire departments in our farming communities.

Farmers are hard to replace, and so many people count on us. Please slow down and think about any avoidable risks. We need our farmers, and your families need you. For more information on farm safety and mental health for farmers, visit the links below:

http://blogs.clemson.edu/agsafety/

https://www.clemson.edu/extension/agribusiness/resources/farm-stress.html

 

Jeff Fellers – Area Forestry Agent

Summer has arrived.  With it comes dry weather, high temperatures, insects, and fungal diseases.  All can stress our plants and lead to more site and office visits to look at stressed and diseased plants.  This summer has been no different.  I always enjoy talking with clients and trying to help them identify their problems and find ways to help them.  Below are some of the interesting programs I have been associated with over the last few months.    

Site Visits/Office Visit
You never know what may come through the door at the office or what you might expect to see at a site visit.  We receive a lot of questions on small gardens throughout the summer.  These can range from blossom end rot, to stink bugs, to powdery mildew, and many other common pests and diseases found in the garden.  I also get tree calls from around the area.  These have ranged from lichen, dying oak trees, pine beetles, and numerous other insects and diseases that affect our trees.  Aquatic weeds in ponds also become more of a problem in summer, and I do numerous identifications and treatment options for landowners.   I always enjoy the specimens that clients bring in. There is always an opportunity to learn about new insects and diseases that I have not seen before.   

Camp Conservation
Camp Conservation is hosted by the Newberry Soil and Water Conservation District.  I have participated in this camp for the last several years by taking the 4-H Shooting Sports Trailer.  I normally take the trailer on the Friday of the Camp (June 28).  Participants learn about gun safety, parts of the gun and how to shoot.  The youth then get to shoot air rifles as they rotate through the different stations for the day. 

 https://www.newberryswcd.com/campconservation

Women Owning Woodlands
On April 12, I assisted in a field tour for Women Owning Woodlands.  This tour was held at a tree farm in Laurens, South Carolina.  At the field tour they learned about wildlife food plots, soil sampling, how to interpret a soil sample, prescribe fire, pine management, and various other topics.  Women Owning Woodlands aims to educate women in the stewardship of the land by connecting them to resources and trusted professionals. 

https://www.clemson.edu/extension/forestry/media/women-owning-woodlands.html

Lynches Woods Trail Hike
On August 17, I led a hike at Lynches Woods in Newberry, South Carolina.  Newberry Parks and Recreation hosted the hike on National TRACK Trails Day.  Participants learned about tree identification, keeping forests healthy, and various other plant related topics as we walked the trail. 

Newberry Forestry Association
The Newberry Forestry Association hosted meetings in May and August.  The May meeting featured a presentation by Jake McClain, a wildlife biologist with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.  Jake presented on creating and managing quail habitat.  The August meeting featured a presentation by Scott Danskin with the SC Forestry Commission on the current status of timber markets and mills in reference to the area.  The Newberry Forestry Association also gave out three $500 scholarships to local students who will be majoring in a field that benefits forest landowners.

Laurens Forest Landowners Association
The Laurens Forest Landowners Association hosted meetings in May and August.  The May meeting featured a presentation by Jake McClain, a wildlife biologist with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.  Jake presented on creating and managing quail habitat.  The August meeting featured two presentations.  Matthew Wannamaker from the Farm Service Agency presented on the agency’s forestry related programs.  The second presentation was by Holly Welch and Devin Orr on potential free stewardship management plans for landowners in Laurens County. 

Broad River Conservation Partnership
In March of 2024, the Broad River Conservation Partnership hosted their first landowners meeting.  Landowners attending the meeting heard testimonies from those who have benefited from working with land trust to help conserve their properties.  This is a program that is spearheaded by SC Department of Natural Resources, with the help of numerous other organizations.  The goal is to conserve, protect, and elevate the importance of our natural resources in the Broad River Watershed. 

Clemson Experimental Forest Southern Pine Beetle Tour
Unfortunately, there is currently a Southern Pine Beetle outbreak in the Clemson Experimental Forest.  The Forestry and Wildlife Team toured numerous spots on Friday August 9, 2024.  This was a great opportunity to see how the Experimental Forest was managing the problem.  The team was able to see active spots, controlled spots, and a salvage harvest.

South Carolina Society of American Foresters Annual Meeting
The South Carolina Society of American Foresters held their annual meeting in Newberry, SC June 12 through June 13.  I assisted in the planning and hosting of this meeting.  On June 12, we had a tree farm tour with a social.  June 13 was classroom sessions that focused on forest markets and the projected outlook. 

Woodland Clinic
Woodland Clinic is a forestry skills competition held at Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries property in Greenwood, South Carolina.  High schools from across the state are invited to attend and compete.  Participants compete in tree measurement, forestry tools, compass and pacing, and forest pest identification.  I have helped for numerous years in the compass and pacing competition.   

Master Tree Farmer Tour
On May 10 we held a Master Tree Farmer Tour for participants of the class at Mike Meetze’s tree farm in Newberry, SC.  Participants were able to see a typical pine rotation from planting to harvest.  They were able to see a stand marked for pole harvest along with an operation sawmill on the property. 

Upcoming Events:

Union County Farm Show – September 21, 2024, Union County Fair Grounds

Union County Agricultural Fair – October 15 – 19, 2024, Union County Fair Grounds

5K Day at the Union County Agricultural Fair – October 17, 2024

Newberry Forestry Association – November 12, 2024

Laurens Forestry Association – November 26, 2024