Category: Greenville

By: Camilla Herndon, Rural Health and Nutrition Agent

According to a 2024 South Carolina Department of Public Health Report, 20.3% of South Carolina adults eat less than one serving of vegetables per day. In addition, approximately 6 in 10 adults in South Carolina have a chronic disease, such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. Substantial evidence affirms that diets rich in fruit and vegetables reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Furthermore, research suggests that gardening improves fruit and vegetable consumption by increasing access to fresh produce and fostering positive attitudes for eating fruits and vegetables.

In an effort to address nutrition through gardening, Greenville County Clemson Extension hosted three Growing Health classes during the spring, summer, and fall growing seasons in 2025. The Growing Health program, jointly facilitated by the county Horticulture Agent and Rural Health Agent, provided gardening and nutrition education to beginner gardeners at no cost. Each class focused on one of three vegetables: tomatoes, leafy greens, and broccoli. During the class, participants learned about the vegetable’s planting dates, fertilization practices, pest and disease management, how to harvest the vegetable, and recipes for cooking with the vegetable.

Participants left the class with a booklet on the vegetable, a 5-gallon grow bag, seedlings or transplants of the vegetable, and a kitchen measuring cup to aid their gardening and nutrition efforts at home.

Harvard School of Public Health’s Healthy Eating Plate visually communicates evidence-based nutrition information. To create healthy, balanced meals at home, consider using the plate method:

• Fill ½ of your plate with colorful vegetables and fruits: leafy greens, bell peppers, broccoli, asparagus, berries, apples, peaches
• Fill ¼ of your plate with whole grains: brown rice, quinoa, oats, whole wheat pasta or bread
• Fill ¼ of your plate with lean proteins: fish, poultry, chickpeas, or beans
• Use oils in moderation: vegetable oil, olive oil, canola oil, and others
• Drink water and avoid sugary beverages

If you’d like to participate in the 2026 Growing Health classes, sign up on Eventbrite here.

By: Andrew Jeffers, Greenville County Horticulture Agent

Greenville County Clemson Extension is pleased to announce the launch of the Growing Health series, a new educational program developed through a partnership between Drew Jeffers, Horticulture Agent, and Camilla Herndon, Rural Health Agent.

The Growing Health series is designed to connect horticulture, food systems, and community health by exploring how gardening, plants, and local food production support physical, mental, and environmental well-being. The program reflects Extension’s integrated approach to addressing both landscape sustainability and human health outcomes.

Sessions will be held throughout spring and summer 2026 and are open to the public at no cost. Each program will focus on practical, accessible topics that link plant-based education with healthy living, making the series relevant for homeowners, gardeners, families, and community members interested in wellness and sustainability.

Scheduled dates for the Growing Health series include:

• Friday, March 6, 2026 – 2:00 PM
• Friday, April 17, 2026 – 2:00 PM
• Friday, May 29, 2026 – 2:00 PM
• Friday, July 24, 2026 – 2:00 PM

The partnership between horticulture and rural health programming highlights Clemson Extension’s commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary education that meets community needs. By combining plant science expertise with public health perspectives, the Growing Health series encourages participants to view gardens and landscapes as tools for improving quality of life.

Registration is limited for each session to allow for interaction and discussion, and advance registration is encouraged.

More details about individual session topics and registration information will be shared through Greenville County Extension communication channels.

For additional information on the Growing Health series or other Extension programs, contact Greenville County Clemson Extension.

By: Amie Mabe, Greenville County 4-H Agent

This past fall introduced a new 4-H tradition in Greenville County. Fall Contests were hosted at the Greenville Extension office on December 11^th, 2025, with three exhibits- Table Setting, Brown Bag Lunch, and Presentations.

Table Setting is open to 4-H members of any age to design a stunning place setting for one, using any theme they can dream up, from garden parties to patriotic holidays. With judging done interview-style, they get to share their inspiration, menu, and design choices face-to-face. The Brown Bag Contest blends nutrition and creativity in an exciting challenge open to all 4-H members. Participants bring a homemade meal packed in a classic brown bag or lunch bag that follows MyPlate guidelines, with just one store-bought item allowed. 4-H’ers present their meal while sharing its nutritional value and why it’s a balanced choice.

Lastly, the Presentation contest enables members to share their passion through an illustrated talk or demonstration on a topic from any 4-H project area- like agriculture, STEM, healthy living, or leadership.

Each contest had 7 youth participants, aged 5 to 18. With a wide age range also came a wide range of styles and topics. These contests ask youth to flex their knowledge, creativity, and decision-making skills, making each entry unique while exhibiting the National 4-H Beyond Ready theme. Judging for these contests was a collaborative effort among several community partners, including Lauren Couchois from School Food Rocks, Dorien Dickey from Launch GVL, and Rushawnda Olden from the SC 4-H Pinckney Leadership program.

Before the Fall Contests, Greenville 4-H hosted a clinic day to instruct in each exhibit area and gave members a place to practice these skills before deciding to register. Attending the clinic also granted free registration to the Fall Contest. But for those who specifically participated in the presentation contest, this also meant free registration to the regional presentation contest. For Junior 4-H member Juliette Johnson, her participation in Greenville’s Fall Contests led her to receive 2nd place in the Upstate Regional 4-H Presentation Contest. It later led her to compete at the state competition in Columbia, her first state contest of what she hopes to be many.

Those interested in participating in the future should subscribe to the Greenville 4-H newsletter and follow the Greenville 4-H Facebook page to get the latest news on upcoming 4-H youth programming.

By: Heather Nix, Upstate Regional Water Resource Agent

Water Quality Issues: Last year, harmful algal blooms (HABs) were plentiful and had a record
long season, with SCDES identifying blooms in major reservoirs from 4/30/25 (Lake Hartwell) to
11/24/25 (J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir). We responded to many related complaints, including
one that involved the deaths of 24 adult cows on a farm with cyanotoxin-producing HABs.
In response, we are working to have new tools and materials available to improve and
streamline responses later this year. Existing tools include several fact sheets, articles, manuals,
a pocket field guide, and an online class – all available online at
https://www.clemson.edu/extension/hab/materials.html

Drought Status: Reports of low water levels in ponds are increasing across the Upstate.
As of 2/10/26, all of Greenville County is experiencing some level of drought (see map),
including D3 Extreme (southern 30% of County), D2 Severe (middle ~50%), and D1 Moderate
(northwestern 20%).

Visit the US Drought Monitor website for updated weekly reports
(https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap.aspx). Submitting a report is quick and easy – and
helps inform drought status decisions – visit the Condition Monitoring Observations Report
website to get started (https://droughtimpacts.unl.edu/Tools).

By: Amie Mabe, Greenville County 4-H Agent

As we begin a new 4-H year in Greenville County, members have an exciting opportunity to showcase their growth and achievements through updated 4-H portfolios. These portfolios not only serve as a valuable record for future college applications but also offer a chance to earn county awards and prepare for the State Portfolio submission. An interview component will be held in the spring, required for senior members and optional for juniors. Cloverbuds are encouraged to participate by reciting the 4-H pledge alongside their submission. Portfolio guidelines for junior and senior members are available on the Greenville County 4-H website, where they can be downloaded or requested as a printed copy. Start your 4-H story today and make this year one to remember!

By: Camilla Herndon, Rural Health and Nutrition Agent

Health Extension for Diabetes has resumed in Greenville County! The first in-person cohort since 2019 kicked off in June 2025 with 7 participants. Health Extension for Diabetes (HED) is a free diabetes education and support program recognized by the American Diabetes Association as a practice-tested program. The goal of HED is to improve participants’ management of their diabetes to prevent or delay complications.

During this 4-month-long program, participants learn the necessary skills to successfully manage their diabetes across 8 education sessions. The HED curriculum covers the foundations of diabetes, creating balanced meals to stabilize one’s blood sugar, the role of physical activity in diabetes management, medications, problem-solving with diabetes, and connections to local resources for further support.   

Eligible participants must be at least 18 years old, a South Carolina resident, and have a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Folks interested in joining an HED cohort can sign up here or email Camilla at herndo3@clemson.edu. The program is also offered online and available for those whose primary language is Spanish.

By: Amie Mabe, Greenville County 4-H Agent

The second annual summer program, Cloverbud Days, introduced our youngest group
of 4-H’ers to all areas of our program. Due to its success and continued interest, we’re
excited to announce the launch of a new club specifically for Cloverbud-aged members.
This club will meet monthly at the Greenville Extension office on the third Thursday of
each month.
This summer also featured a Junior Master Gardener program in partnership with the
summer camp at Front Porch Housing. With around 29 youth participants, this initiative
engaged youth ages 5–18 in gardening and leadership through interactive outdoor
activities. Additionally, our summer program at the Sterling Center introduced youth to
the wide range of 4-H project areas and was a major success, drawing nearly 40
participants each week.
None of these programs would have been possible without the incredible efforts of our
4-H program interns, Chloe Margeson and Mathilde Mitton, who planned, marketed,
prepared, and implemented each of these initiatives. Their dedication and creativity
were instrumental in making this summer a meaningful and enriching experience for all involved.

By: Amie Mabe, Greenville County 4-H Agent

This year’s Greenville County Volunteer Conference was a resounding success! Held at
Upstate Circle of Friends, the event brought together 25 enthusiastic participants
representing five county programs. As the second annual gathering of its kind, the
conference offered valuable training, resources, and networking opportunities to both
new and returning volunteers. Attendees left feeling more prepared and inspired to lead
their clubs and support 4-H programming throughout the upcoming year. We’re excited
to continue this tradition next summer, further strengthening our volunteer community
and enhancing the impact of 4-H in Greenville County.

By: Amie Mabe, Greenville County 4-H Agent

The new 4-H year officially begins on September 1st in Greenville County, and we’re
excited to launch with 15 active clubs serving youth across the region. Many of these
clubs are led by dedicated volunteers who play a vital role in delivering high-quality
programming and mentorship. Whether you’re a returning member or new to 4-H, you
can explore all available clubs and find the right fit by visiting our newly updated
website. We look forward to another impactful year of learning, leadership, and growth!

By: Andrew Jeffers, Greenville County Horticulture Agent

In 2026, Horticulture Agent Drew Jeffers is lining up a full slate of practical programs that meet learners where they are—on jobsites, in community spaces, and online. We open the year with a Tree Workshop on January 22 in Greer, a half-day deep dive designed for crews and managers who want fewer callbacks and healthier canopies. Sessions move from tree ID challenges to invasive species awareness, then into “plant this, not that” alternatives and the soil/site realities that make-or-break urban trees—each talk aimed at decisions you’ll make the next day.

February stacks training options for every audience. Growers and land managers can earn credentials at the Private Applicator session on February 3 (Greenville DHEC training room). Home gardeners get a focused, myth-busting Hydrangeas webinar on February 18. And turf professionals can spend February 26 in an Advanced Turf IPM Workshop that walks through communication with clients and crews, cultural practices that strengthen IPM, insect and disease ID, scouting and thresholds, and advanced weed management—seven hours that connect diagnosis to action, start to finish.

Looking ahead to fall, the Master Gardener main course runs August 4–November 17, bringing a new cohort into research-based horticulture with plenty of hands-on problem-solving. We’ll also gather the industry at the IPM Symposium on October 22 (Canon Centre, Greer) to compare notes, sharpen scouting and decision-making, and leave with steps that improve outcomes across the Upstate. A second Private Applicator date follows on November 5 for those needing certification before year’s end.

Along the way, Drew will share tailored talks with local garden clubs and appear at regional and national meetings—including ASHS (August), the EMG Conference (August), and iLandscape (February)—to keep our programs aligned with current science and the real-world questions people bring to the table. It’s a year built around one goal: practical learning that turns into better decisions, healthier landscapes, and confident clients across Greenville County and beyond.