Author: rzeider

With over 50,000 ponds across South Carolina, proper management of these systems is always an important topic!

In March, we welcomed 29 pond owners from across the Midlands to the Recreational Pond Management Workshop, hosted in Lexington County. Participants learned about aquatic weed control, plant identification, fisheries management, and available Clemson resources. Workshop feedback indicated a 100% increase in both knowledge gained and participants’ likelihood of using the information presented. The success of this workshop gave pond owners new confidence and practical tips for managing their ponds.

Feedback from the workshop also indicated that attendees would like to learn more about wildlife management, including the control of beavers, muskrats, and turtles. While still in the planning stage, be on the lookout for Nuisance Wildlife in Private Ponds Workshop, tentatively planned for November in the Midlands region!

For pond or water-related questions, please contact Charly Greenthaler at charleym@clemson.edu or (803) 520-1679.

Members of Midlands STEM 4-H Club have been busy learning about gardening, stewardship, and healthy living through hands-on activities in their school garden. Club members had the chance to harvest their sweet potatoes, which were planted at the end of last school year. The sweet potatoes were a great success, and members even had the opportunity to learn how to prepare a healthy sweet potato snack.

MSCS 4-H Club members then prepped their garden beds and planted their next round of crops, including green beans and squash.

These activities helped youth develop practical skills not only in gardening and nutrition, but also in teamwork and meal preparation. The school garden provides a continuous lesson on where food comes from and encourages healthy living.

Fairfield County 4-H Youth Development Agent, Chloe Margeson | cmarges@clemson.edu

The new 4-H year has officially arrived, with enrollment underway, offering youth ages 5-18 across the county opportunities to learn new skills, make friends and build confidence through fun, hands-on, engaging activities.

Clubs for the new 4-H year explore every 4-H program area, including STEM, agriculture, animals, leadership and more. Other events and programs throughout the year encourage youth to explore 4-H outside of their club experiences.

To learn more about joining 4-H, finding or starting a club, or becoming a 4-H volunteer, contact Fairfield County 4-H Youth Development Agent, Chloe Margeson at cmarges@clemson.edu.

Keeping an eye on The South Carolina Grower blog, written by Clemson Extension food crop agents, provides timely suggestions for pest and disease management and potential issues being seen in the state. In addition, the resources tab provides up-to-date information on meetings of interest around the state with the opportunity to earn private applicator CEUs.

The two-spotted cotton leafhopper was observed again in August, initially in Charleston. The pest does not appear to be overwintering in South Carolina at present. The favored hosts are in the mallow family, including cotton, hibiscus and okra. In addition, it is known to be found on sunflowers and eggplant. If you find the insect, please report it to Extension. The adults are visible to the naked eye, but using a phone camera provides magnification, bringing the spots into clearer focus.

For more information, contact Commercial Horticulture Agent 
Rob Last at rlast@clemson.edu or (803) 359-8515. 

Did you know that Fairfield County residents can participate in Clemson Extension’s Health Extension for Diabetes program? Rural Health and Nutrition Agent, Elizabeth Josey, is currently working with a group of South Carolina residents through this free, four-month online program, which provides education, support and practical tools to help adults better manage Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

New cohorts are starting soon! If you or someone you know could benefit from this program, contact Elizabeth Josey at parker4@clemson.edu to learn more.

Looking for a fun way to try new, healthy recipes from the comfort of your own kitchen? Check out Stirring Up Healthy Recipes, an online cooking class offered by Clemson Extension’s Rural Health and Nutrition Team!

Stirring Up Healthy Recipes is a fun and educational cooking program designed to help participants prepare delicious, healthier meals at home.

During the program, participants watch live cooking demonstrations, learn new healthy recipes and discover simple ways to modify favorite dishes with healthier ingredients.

Join us the second Friday of each month from 12:00-12:45 PM.

Register Here

To find out more about the program, contact Rural Health & Nutrition Agent:

Elizabeth Josey | parker4@clemson.edu

By the end of our workshops, you’ll be ready to preserve the season’s bounty and contribute to a community dedicated to safe and sustainable food practices. This is more than just a learning experience; it’s an opportunity to merge tradition with innovation in kitchens across the Midlands.

Choose your workshop date for only $40!

Location: Camden, SC 29020

Don’t miss out on this empowering educational journey. Register now and become part of a movement that values both heritage and creativity. Spots are limited, so secure your place today!

Register Here

Faith Isreal | 803-722-1195 | fisreal@clemson.edu

Jackie Jordan, the Fairfield County Urban Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator offered two Master Gardener Training classes in the fall of 2025. The Master Gardener Training Class trains, selects, and utilizes knowledgeable volunteers to facilitate the educational work of the local Horticulture Agent by delivering research-based information to the citizens of the state. The course is an 11-week course covering lawn care, home vegetable gardening, urban tree care, native and ornamental plant selection, and insect, disease and weed identification and management. Master Gardeners provide many free garden programs at multiple Richland County Library locations.

On March 26^th Jackie Jordan will be hosting a landscape design workshop focusing on using native and edible plants in the landscape. Participants will learn principles of design so they can create a beautiful and functional home landscape.

For more information on the program, please reach out to Jackie Jordan  by email at jkopack@clemson.edu.

Clemson Extension hosted a joint meeting of Fairfield and Richland County cattle producers on February 3, 2026, in Winnsboro. The meeting topic was Cattle Marketing: What Buyers Are Looking for. Ms. Tammie Shore, Mr. Wes Weeks, and Mr. Joseph Coleman, owners/operators of Saluda Livestock Exchange, spoke about the characteristics and management that cattle buyers desire in the cattle they purchase. They also highlighted the services and sales opportunities that are available at Saluda Livestock Exchange. Forty cattle producers from Fairfield and Richland Counties attended the meeting and received up-to-date information on the current cattle market in South Carolina.

This meeting was part of the 2025-2026 Fairfield Cattle Educational Series, an annual series of educational topics for cattle producers in the area. Meetings are held in October, November, January, February, March, and April each year. The series offers educational topics on forage management, herd health, cattle marketing, and other topics of interest to the cattle-producing community.

Brian Beer | bbeer@clemson.edu

Health Extension for Diabetes is a 16 week, research-based program designed to equip participants with the tools and support they need to better manage their diabetes. The program focuses on seven key self-care behaviors including healthy eating, physical activity, monitoring, medications, reducing risks, problem solving, and healthy coping.

Rural Health and Nutrition Agent Elizabeth Josey is currently wrapping up another cohort, with participants graduating this month after completing the full 16 week series.

Health Extension for Diabetes is offered both online and in person, providing flexibility for busy schedules and transportation needs. The online option allows participants to participate in interactive lessons and receive ongoing support from the comfort of home.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining the next session, contact Elizabeth Josey at (864) 986-1623 for more information or to register.