Month: March 2025

The H5N1 assists extension professionals in maintaining their role as trusted messengers by keeping them up to date on research based H5N1 information. The project also provides agents with uniform key messages, adjusted recommendations as conditions change, and simple, easily adopted measures to help reduce the spread of H5N1. Tina Horn, York County Extension Livestock and Forage Agent is serving as the lead on this H5N1 EXCITE National Project Team.

The Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching and Engagement (EXCITE) is a national program of the Extension Foundation. One of EXCITE’s current projects is an H5N1 educational effort. Working with the National Center for Farmworker Health, CDC, and USDA NIFA, the EXCITE H5N1 National Project Team is providing educational resources and opportunities for extension professionals and agents working with dairy farmers and farmworkers. The goal is to increase their knowledge of H5N1 by educating them about human and animal health issues related to H5N1 and enhancing on-farm prevention practices to reduce H5N1 disease.

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

Agribusiness Agent, Ben Boyles, was awarded a Mandela Washington Fellowship to travel to Ivory Coast in Africa in October of 2024. 

The Mandela Washington Fellowship Reciprocal Exchange enables United States universities to establish partnerships that broaden professional connections, foster lasting relationships, expand agricultural markets and enhance mutual understanding in Africa.

Boyles partnered with NC State Horticultural Science professor Dr. Carlos Iglesias to participate in the reciprocal scientist exchange program during the week of Oct. 5 – 12, 2024, hosted by Dev-Agri, an emerging Ivory Coast agribusiness company. They visited a series of project sites to evaluate agricultural conditions and discuss opportunities and challenges with Dev-Agri, the Ivorian government and smallholder farmers.

During their time in country it was evident that there is no shortage of opportunity for growth in the agricultural sector not only for the Ivory Coast, but the entire region as well.

“The Ivory Coast has significant potential for food production and could become self-sufficient, even supplying substantial amounts of food to neighboring countries,” says Iglesias. “There is an abundance of idle land, available labor, and demand for food. What is needed is capital to support technological and logistical advancements.”

Boyles and Iglesias look forward to hosting representatives from the Ivory Coast in 2025, to continue to build relationships and explore opportunities for mutual learning.

150 new and beginning farmers from across South Carolina (including York County) learned about organizations and programs to support their farm business during the full day SC Farmer Resource Rodeo that was held in January in Columbia, SC. Participants heard short presentations from representatives from over 35 farm-focused resource organizations to learn about their programs and projects, met one-on-one with organization representatives by visiting their information tables during the event, heard from an established farmer, and established connections that will help their farm business grow!

York County 4-H: Growing Leaders, Building Community

York County 4-H continues to provide engaging opportunities for youth to develop leadership skills and explore new interests. From exciting projects to celebrating agriculture, our 4-H’ers are making their mark in the community!

4-H Journalism Project Takes Off
This fall, we launched the York County 4-H Journalism Project, giving youth the opportunity to dive into the world of media and storytelling. Participants are learning about interviewing, photography, and article writing while covering local 4-H events. Through this project, they are developing valuable communication skills and gaining hands-on experience in journalism. We look forward to seeing their stories come to life and sharing their work with the community!

Celebrating Agriculture Month
November was all about agriculture in York County 4-H! As part of Agriculture Month, we hosted special activities highlighting the importance of farming and local food production. Our 4-H’ers participated in farm visits, hands-on workshops, and educational sessions about livestock, crops, and sustainability. This month-long celebration reinforced the vital role agriculture plays in our daily lives and inspired youth to explore careers in the ag industry.

Making a Difference: 4-H Community Service
York County 4-H’ers have been actively giving back to their community through a variety of service projects. The Teen Council raised money to purchase toys for the children’s hospital during the holiday season, wrapping and delivering them to bring joy to young patients. The Sewing Club is crafting pillows with book pockets to donate, providing comfort and literacy support to those in need. The Fort Mill 4-H Club collected materials to create birthday bags for community members who may not have the means to celebrate. Additionally, both the Fort Mill 4-H Club and Cloverbud Club spread holiday cheer by caroling at local nursing homes. Our 4-H’ers continue to use their ‘hands for larger service’ by making donations to blessing boxes around the county, ensuring that those in need have access to essential supplies.

York County 4-H at the SC Women in Agriculture Conference
Nine York County 4-H’ers and 4-H alumni had the incredible opportunity to attend the 2025 South Carolina Women in Agriculture Conference. This event provided valuable networking, mentorship, and learning experiences for our young leaders interested in agriculture. Their participation highlights the impact of 4-H in fostering future agricultural professionals and advocates.

Swine Project Nears Completion
We are nearing the end of our annual Swine Project, with over 80 pigs in this year’s program. This initiative continues to grow, offering youth hands-on experience in animal care, responsibility, and agricultural education. We are excited to see the project’s continued expansion and the skills our participants develop along the way.

Celebrating 2025 SC Miss 4-H: Dacy Freeman
A big congratulations to Dacy Freeman, who has been named the 2025 South Carolina Miss 4-H! Her dedication to 4-H and leadership within the program exemplify the best of what 4-H has to offer. We are proud to have her represent York County at the state level.

Looking Ahead

As we move into the summer, we are excited about the day-camp and overnight camp opportunities that York County 4-H’ers will have. These experiences provide youth with unforgettable learning, leadership, and outdoor adventure opportunities. Thank you to everyone who supports York County 4-H—we couldn’t do it without you!

Kristin Kunde 
York County 4-H Agent 
Cooperative Extension
Clemson University

120 N. Congress St.
York, SC 29745

w 803-639-9102
kkunde@clemson.edu

Bryan Smith

Laurens County has a very active Beekeepers group.  The Laurens County Beekeepers Association meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm in the Joe Adair Educational Center, 110 Scout Creek Ct, Laurens.  The Association provides programs that are educational and informative to both new and experienced beekeepers.  Their average meeting attendance is 30 persons.

Secretary Jessica at secretary@laurensbeekeepers.com for more information. Dues are $10.00. Contact Association
 

Haven Blackwell, 4-H Youth & Development Agent
Cherokee County

Cherokee County 4-H along with Clemson Extension’s School and Community Gardening Team have partnered with teachers and administrators across Cherokee County to implement school gardens across four schools. Luther Vaughan Elementary, Blacksburg Elementary, Cherokee Charter Academy, and Corinth Elementary are currently participating in this wonderful program and we would love to add even more schools to that list.

he first step in getting your school one of our awesome gardens is to have two of your teachers/administrators complete our School Gardening for South Carolina Educators Online Course. Alongside the knowledge of running a school garden that you will get from this course, you will also

receive our Garden STEM curriculum, the Seasonal Planting Guide and Calendar, and other lessons and activities. Next, we can help you obtain a grant to cover the cost of your raised beds and other necessary supplies. Don’t worry! All these supplies get delivered directly to your school. Throughout the year, I will bring your seeds and transplants for your garden.

Youth in Cherokee County are able to learn how to grow their own food and the importance of that skill through this program. These students are also contributing fresh fruits and vegetables to their school cafeteria’s.

If you are interested in starting a school garden at your school, please contact me at daynab@clemson.edu. Happy harvesting!

A Collaborative Effort

Mark Cathcart

As a 4-H agent I try to figure out how to promote our organization, give back to our communities, and of course, pay for it all. Every now and then an opportunity comes along that can help with each of these goals.  Just such an opportunity came to Union 4-H with the collaboration of “Forged in 4-H” and the Union County Agricultural Fair.

“Forged In 4-H” is a program designed to teach metallurgy and blacksmithing skills in a safe manner, with the use of chemistry, geometry, physics, math, and hands on projects.  This program uses learning techniques that allow students to experience and learn the trade of blacksmithing in a modern and traditional manner.

As an update, Forged in 4-H is now housed in a building located on the Union County Fairgrounds. The use of this building was donated to Union County 4-H for the purpose of teaching blacksmithing, as well as providing a new and interesting exhibit for the Fair. Along with the modern blacksmithing equipment, a new 1800’s style blacksmith shop has been constructed in part of the building.  This allows the teaching of blacksmithing on a completely different aspect and level. In addition to the educational aspect of this project, it will give the opportunity to the patrons of the Union County Agricultural Fair, Union County Farm Show, and other events held here to see how blacksmithing was done then and now. 

Not only will this program be an asset to Union County, but it will also further set Union County 4-H apart from other 4-H programs in the state.  No other county has the equipment to conduct such a program.  It will create a draw for people outside of Union to come to our county, as it is unique to this area of the state. It will afford visitors the opportunity to see demonstrations, by 4-H youth, with modern blacksmithing equipment, as well as how blacksmithing was done 200 years ago in the same building.

Jeff Fellers

Fall is busy time in Extension with local fairs and the State Fair.  I am actively involved in the Union County Agricultural Fair, so that consumes most of my time in October.  This is a time we also get a lot of calls about fall food plots.  This year we also saw the armyworms come and damage many of the early planting for fall food plots. 

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.  Fall and winter are the times when we start seeing the winter annual weeds pop up.  Landowners and homeowner often times bring samples in for identification and management recommendations.  Late summer early fall also is a time where we see a lot of foliar diseases on plants from the warm humid conditions. 

Union County Agricultural
If you have never been to the Union County Agricultural Fair you need to plan a visit next October.  This county fair has everything from rides, feature shows, livestock exhibits, home economics exhibits, and agricultural products exhibit.  Clemson Extension manages the livestock shows, home economics exhibits, agricultural products exhibit, poultry barn exhibits, and livestock exhibits.  Premiums and ribbons are given out to participants that place in the categories.  We put a lot of work in the fair to make sure it is a successful event and promotes agriculture. 

5-K Day at the Fair
5-K day is always a favorite of mine.  All the kindergarten students in the County come to the fair as a field trip for school.  We set up five minutes lessons to teach them about agriculture.  These lessons are set up throughout the barn and the classes rotate through each lesson.  We teach the students about beef cows, dairy cows, goats, horses, chickens, rabbits, bees, and crops.  My job is to teach the kids about crops.  I plant these crops in early May as a demonstration for the fair and to use for this program.  We offer this program every year on Thursday when the fair is in town. 

Newberry Forestry Association
The Newberry Forestry Association hosted meetings in November and February.  In November we had Chris Gordy and Steve Salsbury from West Fraser present a program on mill updates in Newberry County.  They spoke on the sawmill in Newberry and the OSB mill in Joanna.  The February meeting featured Kevin Burkett with Clemson Extension speaking on timber taxes and looking at claiming losses since hurricane Helene had an impact in our County. 

Laurens Forest Landowners Association
The Laurens Forest Landowners Association hosted meetings in November and February.  In November, Jeff Fellers with Clemson Extension presented a program on interpreting soil samples.  The February meeting featured Dr. Adam Kantrovich speaking on timber taxes and loses since Laurens was affected by Helene. 

4-H Shooting Sports Trailer
The 4-H Shooting Sports Trailer has been busy the last few months.  We use the trailer to raise funds for our 4-H Shooting Sports Program.  We have been fortunate to raise enough funds to purchase and maintain our supplies so the participants do not have to pay and extra fee for the clubs.  We hosted trailer at the Union County Agricultural Fair in October.  This is our big event, as we open the trailer every night of the fair.  We also hosted the trailer at the Grand American in Orangeburg and the Southeastern Treeing Walker Days in Union.  Both of these events attract participants from many states and allows us to promote 4-H and our program to many people outside our County.  In Orangeburg, over 25,000 people typically attend.  While the Southeastern Treeing Walker Days is not as big, we still see thousands of participants at that event as well.

Forest Health Workshop
On March 3^rd I hosted a Forest Health Workshop with Dr. David Coyle.  This program was geared toward forestry and natural resource professionals and offer continuing education credits that are required in their field.  Topics include Pesticide regulatory update, Pine insects and diseases, hardwood insects and diseases, market update, herbicide application techniques, and invasive species management. 

2025 Forestry Focus
2025 Forestry Focus is our 20^th biennial program.  This year the program will be hosted on March 15, 2025.  Forestry Focus is hosted by Clemson Extension and the Newberry Forestry Association.  We host this program every odd year.  This is an all-day event that is geared toward landowners and professionals.  We offer continuing education credits in both forestry and pesticides.  This year our topics included Local Market Updates, Estate Planning, Forest Health, Nuisance Wildlife, and Pond Management. 

Upcoming Events:

Newberry Forestry Association – May 13, 2025 – Drew Fasano with Arborgen will presenting on recommendations for spacing on higher end genetics with a focus on reducing pulpwood and maximizing sawtimber.

Laurens Forestry Association – May 27, 2025 – Patrick Hiesl will present on the economics of a portable sawmill for landowners.

Christopher LeMaster, Area Livestock & Forage Agent
Cherokee, Spartanburg, & Union Counties

Loss of Farmland is a top concern among our stakeholders as South Carolina continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. Last year, over 90,000 people moved to our state (which is more than the population of the city of Greenville). Additionally, Industry is quickly relocating to the Sunbelt states. Even in Cherokee County, we are experiencing development pressure compounded by the rising average age of farmers. I don’t have to explain the importance of farmland to this group, but without farms and farmland, we increase our dependency on something we need at least 3 times a day. I appreciate the opportunities that come with this growth, but I think we are justified in our concerns about this rapid loss of farmland. There’s no simple solution; it involves advocacy, education, zoning, regulation, and, most importantly, profitable farms.  Yes, farms need to be profitable and enjoyable to survive. Farming is hard work, both physically and mentally, and many of our farmers are aging out. Nothing ages you faster than hard, unpleasant work for no money.

                My goal for 2025 is to offer classes focusing on profitability and ways to bring another farming generation on board. The classes I have planned for this year will challenge farmers to look at their farms as businesses and break their operations down into enterprises to assess profitability and viability and hopefully identify solutions for some of the drudgery of farming. I invite you to attend the Beef Market Outlook and Profitability Workshop on 3/20 and the Succession Planning for Farm Families and Conservation Easements Workshop on 8/21. Both programs will be in Pacolet for a central location to my counties (Cherokee, Union, and Spartanburg).  Additionally, we have teamed up with a few like-minded organizations to form the Broad River Conservation Partnership to offer field days to assist landowners with conservation practices such as prescribed fire, native grass establishment, and conservation easements.

                I hope to see you at one of these programs this spring. Here are a few other workshops to look forward to.

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 13, 2025, in the First Presbyterian Church Family Life Center in Clinton, South Carolina.

We are very pleased to announce that Mr. Chip Carter, host of RFD TV’s “Where Food Comes From” will be our speaker for this year’s Laurens County Spotlight on Agriculture.  Mr. Carter has traveled the country, seeing just how food gets from the farm to our tables.  His adventures include “busting” watermelons in the Rio Grande Valley, pulling Vidalia Onions in Georgia, making cheese in Wisconsin, and plowing with a mule and a single-bottom plow.

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.