Category: Rural Health & Nutrition

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

Margaret Estridge
Rural Health & Nutrition Agent
Cherokee, Spartanburg, & Union Counties

As the new Rural Health & Nutrition Agent, I have been working to build relationships with high priority communities in Spartanburg County as well as beginning to provide health and nutrition programming with organizations such as Spartanburg County Vocational Rehabilitation, Summit Hills Senior Living, and Project R.E.S.T.

Additionally, I have been training to facilitate three programs: Health Extension for Diabetes, Keys to Diabetes and Better Health and Growing Health. I have been meeting with organizations such as Spartanburg Regional Hospital System’s Diabetes Management program and Heart Wellness Program and P.A.L. to enhance program promotion and partnership as well as St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic for programming opportunities in 2026.

If interested, please call or email Margaret Estridge at 864.795.0101 or mbarest@Clemson.edu if interested in Health Extension for Diabetes, an 8-session series for those diagnosed with diabetes or Keys to Better Health and Diabetes, which is a one-hour health lesson for anyone interested in learning more.

I am excited to facilitate four sessions of Growing Health this year at the Spartanburg County Extension office alongside Horticulture Agent, Nicole Goodman. This free course teaches individuals about specific vegetables from seed to table and allows participants to take materials with them to grow their own veggies.

Eventbrite links: (all classes are from 10:00am-11:00am)

March: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-health-registration-1968262764914?aff=oddtdtcreator

April: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-health-registration-1967905867424?aff=oddtdtcreator

May: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-health-registration-1967928256390?aff=oddtdtcreator

July: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-health-registration-1967932867181?aff=oddtdtcreator

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.

For more information or to register, visit the Eventbrite page: Ask a CLC – Breastfeeding Support.

This is a great chance to get expert support and have your questions answered by a professional in a friendly, accessible setting.

Elizabeth Josey | parker4@clemson.edu

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: 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.

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!

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