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 26th 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.
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.
A new opportunity is available for parents and caregivers seeking guidance with breastfeeding. The Ask a CLC program, offered by the Rural Health and Nutrition team, provides one-on-one support with a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) to answer questions, offer tips, and provide practical guidance.
Sessions are designed to be flexible and supportive, helping families feel confident and informed about breastfeeding.
The Midlands Vegetable growers meeting, hosted in Pelion on February 11, was well attended, with 28 producers and growers of various sizes, representing multiple counties in the Midlands. 100 % of the attendees reported that they had learnt new material, and 78% of those have identified areas of their own operations where adjustments to practices can be made to improve both crop and economic sustainability.
As we move into Spring, I urge producers to check the Upcoming Events page of the South Carolina Grower Blog for a complete list of events in the state. A couple of examples are the statewide pea and bean meeting on March 4, March 12 sees the Midlands Strawberry meeting, and March 27 sees the commercial lavender growers meeting.
Please reach out if I can be of any assistance: Rob Last – rlast@clemson.edu | 803-359-8515 .
The Fall 2025 Midlands Food Preservation workshops unfolded as a hands-on learning journey of transformation for participants. Either new to the world of pickling, pressure canning, and jam making, or with foundational knowledge, attendees quickly embraced food safety skills with enthusiasm and curiosity.
At the end of each workshop participants leveled up their knowledge and resource bank, ready to preserve the season’s bounty while cultivating a sense of community. They eagerly shared recipes and techniques, forming a network of home preservers dedicated to safe and sustainable practices. These workshops exemplified the empowering impact of education, merging tradition with innovation in kitchens across the community.
Sign Up with your e-mail now to stay informed about upcoming workshops.
The upcoming ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification workshops are set to empower individuals in the food industry with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure safe dining experiences. These workshops are a crucial step for professionals seeking to certify or recertify their expertise in managing food safety.
Click the Links for More Information and to Register for a Workshop:
Location: FCL Homemaker’s Building – 634 W Dekalb St, Camden, SC 29020
Successfully completing the workshop and exam will earn you the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification, a recognized credential in the food service industry. Join us to become a leader in food safety and ensure your establishment provides a safe and enjoyable experience for all patrons. Your commitment to food safety not only protects your customers but also enhances your professional credibility and the reputation of your business.
Fairfield County 4-H is excited to announce the launch of the Seeds of Success: Youth Agri-Business Builders program, a new initiative designed to inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders and entrepreneurs. The program will be hosted in partnership with Set in Stone Sustainability Farm and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s ACRE program, with support from the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce and others.
High school students from across Fairfield County will have the opportunity to apply and participate in this innovative program. Through a series of hands-on workshops, leadership development activities, and business-building experiences, students will learn valuable skills in agribusiness, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.
At the conclusion of the program, one top participant will be named the Seeds of Success Winner. This winner will receive over $1,000 in conference scholarships and prizes, including a $200 cash award, to further support their growth as a young leader in agriculture.
“This program is about equipping our youth with the tools and confidence they need to think like entrepreneurs, problem solvers, and leaders in agriculture,” said 4-H Youth Development Agent, Martina Wicker. “We are thrilled to partner with organizations who share our vision of investing in the future of Fairfield County.”
Applications are open now and are due by September 26. Interested students may apply through Fairfield County 4-H, and spots will be available for youth from each high school in the county.
Fairfield County 4-H extends its gratitude to Set in Stone Sustainability Farm, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s ACRE program, and the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce for their partnership and support in making Seeds of Success possible.
For more information about the program or to access the application, please contact Fairfield County 4-H at (864) 985-2904 or mewick@clemson.edu.
On Thursday, August 14, 2025, Fairfield County 4-H hosted its annual Awards Night, an evening filled with celebration, recognition, and community spirit. The event marked the official end to the 2024–2025 4-H year and gave members, families, and volunteers a chance to reflect on the successes of the past year while looking forward to the future.
In addition to celebrating new members, the evening honored youth who have demonstrated dedication, leadership, and achievement in various 4-H projects and activities. Volunteers, whose tireless support makes the program possible, were also thanked for their invaluable contributions.
This year’s Awards Night highlighted the remarkable growth of Fairfield County 4-H. More than 53 first-year members were recognized on stage, a clear reflection of the momentum and excitement surrounding the program. Each new member received a warm welcome and a special recognition item to mark their beginning in 4-H.
The evening wasn’t all formalities—members, families, and friends also enjoyed time together, sharing stories, smiles, and laughter. The celebration captured the heart of 4-H: learning, growing, and thriving together.
As Fairfield County 4-H steps into the 2025–2026 year, the excitement from Awards Night has set the tone for what promises to be another year of growth, discovery, and success.
Martina Wicker, 4-H Youth Development Agent: mewick@clemson.edu | 864-985-2904
The Midlands STEM 4-H Club is buzzing with excitement as they celebrate the opening of their brand-new Pollinator Garden, a hands-on project designed to support local ecosystems while giving youth a chance to learn, grow, and make a lasting impact in their community.
The garden, created and maintained by club members, is filled with pollinator-friendly plants chosen to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Through this project, 4-H youth are gaining firsthand experience in environmental stewardship, science, and sustainable gardening practices—all while creating a welcoming space for pollinators that play a critical role in food production and biodiversity.
As part of their preparation, club members visited Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, where they learned about the importance of garden design and plant selection from the horticulture staff. They then applied what they learned to design and plant their own space, making the garden both a learning laboratory and a meaningful contribution to the community.
The school community came together, joined by members of the wider community, to celebrate the official opening of the garden. As part of the festivities, students released butterflies that had been raised in classrooms participating in the Fairfield 4-H Embryology Program, symbolizing growth, transformation, and the positive impact of youth-led projects.
The Pollinator Garden will serve as an outdoor classroom for the club, providing opportunities for lessons in biology, ecology, and agriculture. It also stands as a symbol of the club’s commitment to community involvement, as the space will be open for others to visit and enjoy.
The Midlands STEM 4-H Club thanks all volunteers, families, and community partners who supported the development of the garden. With their help, this project has truly taken root, and the club looks forward to watching both the garden—and its young leaders—continue to flourish.
Martina Wicker, 4-H Youth Development Agent: mewick@clemson.edu | 864.985.2904
