Category: Fairfield

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

Fairfield County 4-H is proud to announce the establishment of its very first Teen Council, marking a monumental moment in the program’s growth and development. This exciting new leadership opportunity gives teens a voice in shaping the direction of 4-H, while also building their skills in teamwork, organization, and service.

The newly formed Teen Council has already hit the ground running. Members have elected officers, begun planning future activities, and played a key role in helping plan and implement the recent 4-H Awards Night on August 14. Their involvement added fresh energy and creativity to the event, demonstrating the important role youth leadership can play in the success of the program.

In addition to their leadership responsibilities, the Teen Council has also enjoyed several outings together, strengthening friendships and building the kind of teamwork that will serve them well as they continue their work. They also helped design the brand-new Fairfield County 4-H T-shirt, giving them the chance to contribute in a lasting and creative way.

Looking ahead, the Teen Council will continue to help shape the Fairfield County 4-H program throughout the upcoming year, ensuring that youth voices remain at the center of planning, activities, and growth.

Martina Wicker, 4-H Youth Development Agent: mewick@clemson.edu | 864.985.2904

Fairfield County 4-H is celebrating a summer filled with learning, leadership, and lasting memories. From hands-on projects to leadership conferences, local youth had the chance to experience the very best of what 4-H has to offer.

The season kicked off with the Midlands STEM 4-H Club’s Grand Opening of their Pollinator Garden, a youth-led project designed to support local ecosystems and serve as an outdoor learning space for years to come. Shortly after, members participated in Forged in 4-H, a unique blacksmithing class where youth learned traditional metalworking skills while exploring creativity and craftsmanship.

In June, Fairfield 4-H members had the special opportunity to tour the South Carolina Governor’s Mansion, gaining a closer look at state history and leadership.  Youth also explored their artistic side through Gallop Into Art, a program that combined creative expression with agricultural themes, allowing members to experiment with different art forms while celebrating their connection to the land and horses. At the end of the month, members attended STEM Camp and competed in activities such as Paper Rocketry, The Egg Drop Challenge, and Zipline Racers.

Later in the summer, members participated in Reel & Range Camp, where they practiced outdoor skills in fishing, shooting sports, and wildlife education. Leadership development was another highlight, with two Fairfield County 4-H members attending South Carolina 4-H Congress at Clemson University. This statewide gathering gave participants the chance to connect with peers, grow as leaders, and represent Fairfield County on a bigger stage.

The summer concluded with the highly anticipated Fairfield County 4-H Awards Night on August 14. This special evening celebrated the accomplishments of youth and volunteers, while also highlighting the program’s tremendous growth—including the recognition of over 53 first-year members.

From start to finish, the summer of 2025 showcased the impact of 4-H in Fairfield County: building skills, creating memories, and growing leaders for tomorrow. With momentum from such a successful season, Fairfield County 4-H looks forward to an even stronger year ahead.

Martina Wicker, 4-H Youth Development Agent: mewick@clemson.edu | 864.985.2904

October 16, 2025, 5:30 – 7:00 PM

Join us at Horned M Ranch in White Oak and learn how to incorporate genetic test results into your replacement heifer selection.

 Mr. Jim Johnson with Zoetis will review the INHERIT genetic test and how to use the information to select replacement heifers. Tested heifers will be on site, and you will get to see how your traditional replacement methods match with the genetic test results.

Agenda:

• Live animal selection – Participants will pick which heifer they would select as replacements
• Traditional, phenotype-based selection of replacement heifers by Mr. Brian Beer, Area Livestock & Forages Extension Agent, Clemson Extension.
• Meal
• Using Zoetis INHERIT genetic testing to aid in selecting superior replacement heifers by Mr. Jim Johnson, Zoetis
• Heifer selection with genetic test results – Participants will review their selected replacement heifers and see how their picks compare to the genetic test results.

This event is free thanks to our sponsors, Carolinas Animal Health, CPC Feeds, and Zoetis. Registration is required using Eventbrite.

Click Here to Register

Contact Brian Beer, Area Livestock and Forages Extension Agent. Email: bbeer@clemson.edu. Phone or text: 803-320-9360.

Over the past three years, the Clemson Cooperative Extension food crop team has been collecting data for specialty crop production areas and their value to the economy. The pilot scheme began in 2022 with 6 crops. This year marks the repeat of the initial crops and data capture for the remaining 14 crops

Based on the figures for 2024, commercial horticulture in Fairfield County indicates that specialty crops account for $23,310 in revenue. This is based on two years of data, with the final crops to be added this year.

Researchers within the team utilize the data to justify grant proposals; we in Extension can utilize the data to justify our impacts on the state. If you believe or know of any people producing specialty crops in the county, please reach out to me, and I will be happy to collect the information. All information is treated with the strictest confidence.

Rob Last, Commercial Horticulture Agent: rlast@clemson.edu | 803-359-8515 

Online Cohort for Fairfield County – October 2025

The Rural Health and Nutrition team has partnered with Prisma Health to establish a referral network between Prisma patients and the Health Extension for Diabetes Program. Through this partnership, I have received several referrals from Prisma Health Family Medicine – Winnsboro. While referral numbers haven’t yet supported an in-person class in Fairfield, I am able to offer the online option until enrollment is sufficient for a local cohort. I am always interested in creating new partnerships to increase the number of referrals from Fairfield County and welcome the opportunity to connect with others about the program. Participants may also self-refer to the program, provided they meet eligibility requirements, including having a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Elizabeth Parker, Rural Health and Nutrition Agent: parker4@clemson.edu | 803-283-3302

Pots of Possibilities

Urban Horticulture Agent Jackie Jordan teamed up with Fairfield County 4-H agent, Martina Wicker to offer Pots of Possibilities. The spring Pots of Possibilities workshop offered participants a chance to make their own edible container garden. Participants combined Malabar spinach, cucumber and tomato plants in pots and learned how to care for the plants. The goal of Pots and Possibilities is to provide citizens of Fairfield County with the tools to grow their own nutritious food.

Master Gardener Training Classes

Jackie Jordan, the Fairfield County Urban Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator will offer two Master Gardener Training Classes this fall starting in September. The Kershaw County class will be held on Tuesdays and the Richland County class will be offered on Thursdays through November.

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.

Jackie Jordan: 803-722-1196 | jkopack@clemson.edu

The latest Spring/Summer canning workshops have been highly successful, equipping individuals with the skills to preserve food at home. These interactive, practical sessions have breathed new life into age-old techniques and have also cultivated a spirit of togetherness and teamwork among attendees.

Get Ready for Fall: Exciting Workshop Opportunities

The buzz around our canning workshops is growing, and we’re thrilled to announce our upcoming fall schedule! If you’re interested in learning how to preserve food and have a great time doing it, this is your chance. Bring a friend along and join us for a fun and educational experience. Our workshops are not just about learning new skills; they’re also about making unforgettable memories with new friends. Sign up now and be part of something special!

Upcoming Regional Fall Canning Workshop Schedule:

• Friday, Sept. 12: Pickling
• Thursday, Oct. 23 & Friday, Oct. 24: Pressure Canning
• Friday, Nov. 14 & Saturday, Nov. 15: Pressure Canning
• Friday, Dec. 11 & Saturday, Dec. 12: Jams, Jellies, & Soft Spreads

Don’t let these enriching opportunities pass you by! Join us in keeping tradition alive, building community, and acquiring invaluable skills. We eagerly anticipate welcoming you and your friends to our next workshop!

Register Today!

Faith Isreal, Food Systems and Safety Agent: 803-722-1195 | fisreal@clemson.edu