Since its inception, the Cooperative Extension Service has served community needs as they grow and change. Recently the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDOC) and Clemson Extension partnered to bring a crucial job skills training to inmates that are within one year of scheduled release. The program provides training to persons wishing to rehabilitate themselves and provides skilled labor to a growing labor market deficiency in South Carolina’s green industry.

The SCDOC recruited 40 inmates to participate in the South Carolina Certified Landscape Professional Program. The course lasted ten weeks, and participants received instruction in basic horticultural skills such as soil conditioning, weed management, turf grass management, and integrated pest management concepts to reduce pesticide use. There was a total of four sites that participated via zoom to observe the lectures. Most participants were engaged and asked multiple questions, including how this certification can help them to find gainful employment. The project was funded by an internal grant from Clemson University Cooperative Extension. We are working with SCDOC to seek grant opportunities to sustain the project and offer it to a broader inmate audience.

South Carolina to Issue Handy New Card for Ag Sales Tax Exemptions

SCATE Will Debut February 1, 2022

By Eva Moore, South Carolina Department of Agriculture

In 2022, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture is rolling out a handy new card for farmers to use for agricultural sales tax exemptions.

South Carolina state law offers several sales tax exemptions for items used in agricultural production. For many years, farmers have had to fill out a paper form, the ST-8F, to receive these exemptions.

But after April 1, 2022, farmers must instead show their SCATE (South Carolina Agricultural Tax Exemption) card to retailers to demonstrate they are eligible for these exemptions.

The program is similar to Georgia’s GATE card, but unlike in Georgia, South Carolina users do not need to meet a minimum farm income threshold to be eligible.

It’s important to understand that state law is not changing. Farmers will still be able to receive the same exemptions as before.

A SCATE card costs $24 and is good for three years.

You can apply for your SCATE card starting Feb. 1, 2022, using the online portal at scatecard.com or call 1-803-734-2210 Option 1 Debbie. You must apply and pay online or pay over the phone; there is no paper application.

You’ll need the following information in order to apply:

• Taxpayer ID Number – personal [SSN] or business [FEIN]
• Valid email address
• Credit card or bank account number

Questions about SCATE? Contact the South Carolina Department of Agriculture at scate@scda.sc.gov or 803-734-2210 Option 1 Debbie . For questions specifically about tax exemptions, you can email the South Carolina Department of Revenue at FarmExemption@dor.sc.gov. You can also read the FAQs at scatecard.com.

We have had a busy few months in Saluda County. We started the holiday season off in November hosting Giving at Thanksgiving workshop to 20 youth. We highlighted all programs areas in 4-H during the workshop. The highlight for most kids was making their own pie to take home for their family.

Also, during the month of November, we hosted the afterschool programs at the 4 local Primary and Elementary schools. During this meeting we discussed healthy lifestyles by discussing MyPlate and exercise.

In the beginning of December, we hosted Cooking Club to 20 youth. They made waffle cinnamon rolls, fruit salsa and homemade tortilla chips.

We ended the Holiday season with hosting a Christmas Magic workshop with 30 youth. We set up several activity tables. They made bags to wrap presents in, ornaments, greenery arrangements, decorated sugar cookies, made snow, and made scarves for the local Senior Center. Stephen Pohlman, Saluda Country Forestry agent, came to speak about the different types of Christmas trees and greenery around us.

Congratulations to Avery Quattlebaum and Mya Chapman for being a Blue Ribbon Winner and Midlands Regional Qualifier for the 2022 Senior 4-H Presentation Contest that will be held at Senior Teen Weekend on February 12^th.

We have several upcoming events happening with Saluda County 4-H:

February through April we will be hosting monthly cooking clubs and afterschool clubs.

March 18, 2022- Luck of the Irish Workshop- sign-ups will start mid-February.

April 11, 2022- Hoppy Easter Workshop- sign-ups will start mid-March.

Beginning of April Summer workshop schedule will be announced.

NEW CLUB ALERT:

Do you home school your kids? Would you like them to get involved in 4-H?

Starting on February 23rd during the day will be offering a monthly meeting from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. We will be highlighting general 4-H activities.

To join the 4-H club it will be $15 dollars. You will also need to register online at

https://v2.4honline.com. If you are a previous 4-H member; please email Lauren Black-Venegas,

your 4-H agent at lblack4@clemson.edu to get logon information. You will need to be registered by February 18th. We will be meeting February through May. If have additional questions, contact Lauren Black-Venegas or Clemson Extension Office at 864-445-8117.

State Events and Projects:

4-H Junior Weekend – 2022

South Carolina 4-H’ers from across the state travel to Camp Long, near Aiken, SC for the weekend of a lifetime! SC 4-H Junior Weekend is an annual event that many Junior division 4-H members (youth age 9-13) look forward to each year. Youth are immersed in a weekend of activities and workshops organized by the South Carolina 4-H State Teen Council. This is a great way for members to make new friends, have new experiences, and learn new skills through fun and adventure.

The theme this year is “Under the Sea“.
March 4-6, 2022 (Friday evening – Sunday morning)

Must be a South Carolina 4-H Member to register.  Register in 4HOnline. If you register by Dec. 31, the cost is $105.  If you register on January 1 and after, the cost is $125.

https://v2.4honline.com

The deadline to register is February 11, 2022.

South Carolina 4-H Honey Bee Project – This project runs from February through August 2022.

The Honey Bee Project is an independent-study project that engages youth (ages 5-18 years) in the active role of beekeeping, learning the basics of entomology, and gaining an appreciation for the role of pollinators in our world. Youth receive a record book and project-related educational materials with registration.  Non-members will also receive 4-H membership and a 4-H t-shirt with their registration.  Participants will need access to a honey bee colony to manage for the purposes of this project. Bees are not supplied with the project materials.  We highly recommend working with an experienced beekeeper and your local beekeeping associations may be a good resource for you.

Record books will be submitted at the county level for judging by August 5, 2022. County-winning record books in the Junior and Senior age divisions will advance to the regional- and state-level for judging.  Awards will be presented to regional and state project winner

Join us for the 2022 South Carolina 4-H Forestry Clinic!

This is an excellent opportunity for high school-age youth to learn more about forestry and forest practices. During the clinic, youth will gain hands-on experience from Clemson Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Professionals. The clinic will focus on tree identification, tree measurement, compass and pacing, and other forestry skill areas. No prior forestry knowledge or experience is required.

This year’s event will be one day only, on February 26th, and held at Harbison State Forest in Columbia.

Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/south-carolina-4-h-forestry-tickets-221437705137 

4-H Legislative Day

2022 SC 4-H Legislative Day is scheduled for March 8, 2022. Members, parents, volunteers, and supporters are invited to join us at the State Capital to tell your 4-H story. For more information or to register to attend, please contact Lauren Black-Venegas, lblack4@clemson.edu.

2022 4-H Pullet Chain Project will have registration open January 25 – March 1, 2022

The 4-H Pullet Chain is for youth that want to raise chicks supplied by a 4-H chick order. Day-old chicks will be placed beginning of May and the youth will raise them, participate in 4-H poultry project activities, and complete a 4-H poultry project record book. Registration for the 20224-H Pullet Chain is found on the SC 4-H Poultry Project website and will accept registrations January 25through March 1, 2022. This project is open to youth, ages 5-18, in every county of SC.

https://2022_sc4-h_pulletchain.eventbrite.com/

2022 4-H Laying Flock Project will have registration open January 25- May 2, 2022

The 4-H Laying Flock Project is for youth that already have a backyard flock or may want to order their own chicks (non-4H pullet order). Youth in this project have the same opportunities as those in the pullet chain. Youth will also complete a 4-H poultry project record book and receive e-newsletters. Registration for the 4-H Laying Flock project can be found on the SC 4-H Poultry Project website and will remain open until May 2, 2022. This project is open to youth, ages 5-18, in every county of SC.

4-H Summer Camp

4-H Club Summer Camp registration is now officially open. For youth ages 7-14. Go to the website for more information and instructions on how to register.
https://www.clemson.edu/extension/4h/about/camp.html

         Livestock and Forage producers around South Carolina are certainly ready for spring. The spring bull sales and replacement heifer sales are in full swing as this always seems to be a hectic time of the year. As we move into 2022, input costs in every sector of agriculture continue to rise. Producers will face many challenges this year as they manage their budgets to navigate the rise in input costs.

        The South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association held its annual meeting and convention on February 4^th at the T.E.D. Garrison Arena in Clemson. The educational components of the meeting focused on managing input costs during these challenging times. Scholarships and state awards of excellence were also presented. The South Carolina Cattlemen’s Foundation awarded six scholarships to deserving college students.

       The Saluda County Cattlemen’s Association will hold its 30^th Annual Replacement Heifer Sale on Saturday, February 26^th. Over 100 bred and open heifers will sale at auction from Saluda county cattlemen.

       The Saluda County Cattlemen’s Association met on February 10^th. Participants listened to an excellent presentation from Corteva about maximizing the return on investment for weed control.

We are wrapping up our current 4-H year and ready to begin the new year!

A recap this past summer… workshops, conference, and projects.

– We offered eighteen Parent and Me and six Adventure Awaits workshops, highlighting the following areas: cooking, STEM, arts, construction, and natural resources.

– Two of our Senior 4-Hers attended the State 4-H Congress held in Clemson.

– One Senior competed at the National Shooting Sports Competition held in Nebraska.

– Introduced 4-H and participated with Summer Reading in conjunction with Saluda School District for four weeks in July.

– One Junior participated in the State Garden Project.

It was a great year, and we are now planning for the new 4-H year!

This year’s theme for Saluda County 4-H is “Get Carried away with 4-H”.

We have numerous opportunities coming for youth in Saluda to get involved in this upcoming 4-H year.

–          On September 8th and 9th, we will be hosting the Saluda County 4-H Livestock Show.

 We will have a Meat Goat, Beef, Poultry, Rabbit and Dairy Heifer shows.

A coloring contest for all the local elementary schools to participate in will be displayed at the livestock show.

–    We are in the planning stage for after school clubs, stay tune to the Saluda               County 4-H Facebook page for more information.

–          We will be hosting four Holiday Workshop Series throughout the year.

•          Giving at Thanksgiving Workshop

Wednesday November 24th 9:00 am to 3:00pm

•          Christmas Magic Workshop

Monday December 20th 9:00am to 3:00pm

•          Luck of the Irish Workshop

Friday March 18th 9:00am to 3:00pm

•          Happy Easter Workshop

Monday April 11th 9:00am to 3:00pm

This Summer has been a very busy season at the Saluda County Extension office.  We held our first in-person Saluda County Cattlemen’s Association meeting in June.  The meeting was held at Crouch Hardware and Farm Supply.  Producers listened to a great presentation from Purina on beef cattle nutrition.  We also held a CAMM training in August at the Hollywood Ruritan.  Mr. Lee Vanvlake with Clemson Extension gave a presentation on beef cattle watering systems.

The South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting and Trade Show was held on August 6^th at the T. Ed Garrison Livestock Complex in Clemson.  Members in attendance received numerous educational presentations as well as the opportunity to visit with over 30 vendors at our Industry Trade Show.  This year we were pleased to have the South Carolina Angus Association join us for this special event.  Our meeting concluded with our annual awards banquet.  At the banquet, we awarded our Awards of Excellence and recognized our SC Cattlemen’s Foundation scholarship winners.  Details and photos of these award recipients will be published in the next issue of the Carolina Cattle Connection.

The South Carolina Junior Beef Round-Up was also held at the T. Ed Garrison Arena the same weekend as the Annual Meeting and Trade Show.  It was exciting to have this event take place right next door, where members could walk over to support the youth exhibiting their beef cattle.

Plans and preparations have been made for the Saluda County Livestock Shows September 8^th-9^th.  We look forward to seeing all the youth from around the state exhibit their livestock at these shows.