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.
Andy Rollins Commercial Horticulture Agent Spartanburg County
Andy Rollins has made significant progress in chemically thinning peaches using ethylene. Ethylene is a naturally occurring gas that increases as many fruits ripen. A common example of its use is placing a ripe banana peel in a paper bag with an unripe tomato, which helps accelerate the tomato’s ripening process.
In commercial peach production, thinning is typically done by hand after the risk of the last frost has passed—generally around April 15th, although this can vary. However, the rapidly rising cost of legal H2A labor, combined with widespread inflation across other farm inputs, has severely eroded profit margins. Many farms are now uncertain whether they can remain operational even for another year.
Rollins has applied ethylene in liquid form to young peach flowers and fruit, which causes the trees to naturally abort a portion of the developing fruit. This spring, he was able to thin 50–60% of the fruit from multiple peach varieties at a cost of just $1.67 per acre (approximately 150 trees), excluding labor for application. In contrast, traditional hand thinning can cost $8–10 per tree. While he encountered some challenges thinning certain varieties, he plans to continue refining the process next year, believing it to be a critical step forward for the future of peach production.
In addition to his work with ethylene, Rollins is also exploring the use of a new biological fumigant applied through an innovative method. Fumigants are essential in commercial agriculture to combat soil-borne diseases, weeds, and pests that can severely damage crops. These substances are highly dangerous, but by using inline injection through irrigation drip tape, exposure to harmful gases is reduced and the fumigant remains concentrated in the soil, where it can effectively target plant pathogens and pests.
This method has gained popularity since Rollins began working with it. He is scheduled to demonstrate the technique at the NC Strawberry Growers Association meeting on November 11, 2025. During the demonstration, he will use blue dye through the irrigation system to simulate the fumigant, highlighting the importance of saturating the entire root zone to ensure maximum efficacy.
Further educational meetings on these practices are currently being planned for early next year.
Nicole Goodman Horticulture Agent Spartanburg County
Nicole Goodman has fully stepped into her role as the Urban Horticulture Agent in our county. In addition to offering regular workshops on gardening topics (announced through our Facebook Page) and assisting residents daily, Nicole is dedicated to fostering broader community impact through the work of the local Master Gardener Volunteers.
One project particularly close to her heart is the Teaching Garden at St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic in Downtown Spartanburg. This initiative is designed to educate the community on growing nutritious food, practicing safe food handling, and promoting both mental and physical well-being.
Through collaboration with the clinic’s dietitian, JuliSu, and director Ms. Smith, the garden has become a thriving partnership. Monthly volunteer workdays continue to transform the property into a fully functioning edible and teaching garden.
Project Highlight This season’s major milestone has been the beginning of terracing the steep east hillside of the property. Thanks to the enthusiasm of this year’s Master Gardener Volunteer students, the project is progressing smoothly. Volunteers—both experienced gardeners and community members new to the field—are not only learning about plants, but also about safe building practices that turn unusable slopes into productive spaces.
While tremendous progress has been made, the garden still requires the removal of several large trees to improve sunlight access and support the continued success of edible plantings. For ongoing updates, follow the Teaching Garden’s Facebook page: Teaching Garden of St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic (green logo with three hands).
Margaret Estridge Rural Health & Nutrition Agent Cherokee, Spartanburg, & Union Counties
Hello! My name is Margaret Estridge and I am excited to be able to work with the Spartanburg, Union and Cherokee communities as a Rural Health & Nutrition agent. As a Clemson graduate, I am thrilled to return after working in health education and coaching in both health systems and corporate wellness. My passion lies in empowering individuals and communities to take charge of their health through nutrition and prevention. When not working, I love to hike and ride my bike so I hope to see you out on the trails of this beautiful region!
Spartanburg EFNEP has been partnering with the Bethlehem Center to bring nutrition education to their afterschool groups this school year. The second-grade class enjoyed a six-week series learning the Show Me Nutrition curriculum.
During this time, the children were introduced to MyPlate by playing games with the five food groups and diving deeper into each category each week. The class enjoyed tasting a myriad of recipes including a fruit smoothie, colorful fruit skewers, food group sandwiches, and more.
Over six sessions, the children studied how to build strong bones, power up with protein, eat a rainbow of fruits and a variety of vegetables in addition to moving their bodies more. They enjoyed playing games and creating their own personalized MyPlates to set healthier goals for themselves.
These students are ready to tackle all that the remainder of the school year has to bring with healthy and active mindsets!
The world of horticulture is as dynamic as it is rewarding. Every day presents new opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with nature—and the more I immerse myself in this field, the more I discover how much there is to explore. Moving continents certainly accelerated the learning curve—Switzerland, with its colder climate, presented far fewer pest challenges compared to the Upstate!
As the Horticulture Agent for Spartanburg County, my mission is to serve our community by continually expanding my own knowledge. The more I learn, the better I can support and empower others to grow and thrive in their own gardens and landscapes. One of the questions I’m often asked is, “What native plants should I grow here in the Upstate?” This led me to create a native plant identification program for Wofford College’s Lifelong Learning program. In the course, we explored botanical terms like lenticels and sepals and examined 50 plant species that are native to our region. This project not only deepened my understanding of local flora but also allowed me to teach others about the beauty and benefits of these plants, all while expanding my own botanical vocabulary.
In addition to my work with local plants, I’ve had the privilege of advising St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic on their journey toward growing food and developing a teaching garden. Through this collaboration, I’ve learned more about vegetable gardening in the Upstate—no small feat, given our unique growing conditions. These insights have allowed me to better assist clients with their own home gardening questions, offering advice that is both practical and regionally relevant.
I’m also excited to be working closely with our local Master Gardeners, who play an invaluable role in our community. Their outreach efforts continue to inspire me, and I look forward to collaborating with them on an upcoming class, set to launch in Fall 2025. Together, we’ll empower even more people to grow their knowledge and skills in horticulture.
On the horizon, I’m working on something I’m particularly excited about: the Backyard Homesteading classes. Many homeowners are eager to become more self-sufficient, and I’m thrilled to offer them the tools and guidance to do just that—even with a small backyard. From planning your property to raising and butchering poultry, from canning to beekeeping, and even eating your weeds—there’s so much potential in small spaces. It’s my goal to help homeowners reclaim their food sources and find joy in their gardens in ways they may never have imagined.
As I continue to grow in this role, I am incredibly grateful for the guidance and support I receive from my fellow agents and supervisors.
Nicole Goodman – County Consumer Horticulture Agent
It will soon be time for our 4th annual Peach Country Livestock Expo! This partnership between Spartanburg and Cherokee County 4-H provides a much-needed opportunity for our area youth to exhibit their animals during the spring season.
Each year the event has seen growth in youth participants, species exhibited, and community sponsors. For 2025 we have added a Dairy Goat Show and a Horse Show! Last year we hosted almost 70 youth exhibitors and hope that with the addition of two new species that we are able to increase that number to 100 this year!
The show is open to the public and there is no charge for admission. Please join us to cheer on our 4-H and FFA youth!
The schedule is as follows:
Friday, March 21st at the Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds
6:00pm – Market Swine Show
Saturday, March 22nd at the Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds
11:00am – Beef Cattle Show
2:00pm – Rabbit Show and Chicken Show
5:00pm – Dairy Goat Show
Saturday, April 26th at Croft State Park
Time TBA – Horse Show
For more information about the show (to attend, enter, or sponsor) please contact Laura Haddon by email at lhaddon@clemson.edu or by phone at (864) 596-2993.
Plans for this very popular summer camp began in January
when a team of four Spartanburg teens attended the South Carolina 4-H Cooking
Like a Chef Summit in Chapin. The four teens
cooked through recipes from a set of six menus.
They learned basic knife cuts, how spices can completely change a dish,
and a variety of different cooking techniques.
In
July, these teens shared their skills and love for cooking with 15 of our
younger 4-H members. Spartanburg
Community College Culinary Arts Department provided our group with the use of
their classroom kitchen. Our youth felt
like true chefs as they chopped, mixed, seasoned, and sauteed in a real
commercial kitchen!
The teen
leaders chose their favorite recipes from their experience at the Summit and
developed themes for each day of our three-day camp. Tuesday was for tacos, Wednesday was a
Breakfast Bonanza, and we wrapped up our cooking adventure with a Pizza Party!
Fun
and learning were had by all involved and we look forward to not only hosting
this event again next summer, but also to seeing our teen leaders compete in
upcoming 4-H cooking competitions!
If
you have a child (ages 9 to 18) interested in 4-H cooking opportunities, please
contact Laura Haddon at lhaddon@clemson.edu
for more information.
Hello everyone, my name is Nicole Goodman. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve Spartanburg County in all matters related to horticulture! This is an exciting position for me, and I can’t wait to immerse myself in the vibrant, green heart of our area. As a Swiss horticulturist with a passion for plants that started back in the 90s when my grandmother introduced me to her terraced garden, I look forward to growing alongside this incredible community. My journey began with a 3-year apprenticeship in horticulture and a detour into floral design before diving into landscape architecture with a focus on environmental impact, sustainability, and self-sufficiency.
I’ve turned our property and home into a green haven, focusing on natives on the outside and exotics on the inside.
I’m excited to learn from the wealth of knowledge and experience shared by seasoned gardeners and support those just beginning their own gardening adventures.
The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program has been serving limited-resource families across the United States for over fifty years through community nutrition education. EFNEP was established in 1969 by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) in response to growing concerns of diet quality and poverty nationwide. It began as a pilot program in Alabama and later spread across the U.S. with the help of land-grant universities’ cooperative extension programs. Today, NIFA funds EFNEP programs in all fifty states, and this funding delivers promising results in health outcomes and behavior change for families in need.
EFNEP targets four core areas to help improve health outcomes: diet quality & physical activity, food security, food resource management, and food safety. With research-based curricula, EFNEP delivers free nutrition classes to limited-resource communities.
Clemson Extension’s EFNEP program has been actively working in Spartanburg County to deliver hands-on, interactive nutrition lessons to Title I schools, after-school programs, community centers, and more. The adult curriculum used by Clemson EFNEP, Eating Smart, Being Active, includes nine lessons which highlight money-saving tips for grocery shopping and budget-friendly recipes for families. Clemson EFNEP also serves middle and high school students through the Teen Cuisine curriculum which promotes independence in the kitchen by improving food safety practices and cooking skills. Elementary-aged students in grades third through fifth may also participate in this program through the Choose Health: Food, Fun, and Fitness curriculum. These lessons introduce young learners to the importance of maintaining a well-balanced diet while helping them identify which foods and drinks could help them do so. At each level, these interactive classes include a food demonstration that allows participants to practice their cooking and food safety skills and a physical activity portion to promote regular exercise.
By maintaining ongoing partnerships throughout the county, youth and adults in Spartanburg have received free resources on diet quality, physical activity, food safety, healthy recipes & more. If you are interested in bringing these classes to your organization or school, please contact the EFNEP nutrition educator at your local Clemson Extension office!
EMILY DURANT FISH, NUTRITION EDUCATOR SPARTANBURG COUNTY
