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43 new farmers from across the state of South Carolina visited York County on September 28, 2023 to learn more about agritourism.  The workshop, coordinated by the South Carolina New and Beginning Farmer Program and York County’s Agribusiness Agent, Ben Boyles, allowed farmers to see agritourism operations first-hand through guided tours of 3 York County agritourism farms.  Farm stops included Tatanka Bison Ranch, Black’s Peaches, and Five Blossoms Farm.  Participants also heard from the South Carolina Agritourism Association and learned more about how to incorporate this type of enterprise into their farm business.

Drew Jeffers

Spartanburg County Horticulture Agent

            The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Office in Spartanburg County has been at 612 Chesnee Highway in Spartanburg since 2008, serving thousands of residents annually. As with most organizations, they need to freshen things up a bit every now and then. The office has undergone some light renovation to make it more inviting to residents and make the classroom more usable for future classes and training. Residents are encouraged to come by and check out the new office and will enjoy a new and exciting classroom experience.

York County Extension
Hello York County,
The extension agents are as busy as ever with programs. I hope you enjoy reading about the many
things we have been doing and programs upcoming.
We welcome Tina Horn, who serves as the livestock & forage agent in York County and works statewide
with dairy farms. Please contact our staff directly with your questions from this contact page:
https://www.clemson.edu/york/

Paul Thompson
Urban Horticulture Agent/County Coordinator

Learn more about our available online courses here:  https://cpe.clemson.edu/

The South Carolina Dairy Heifer Project began in 1974 and is one of the oldest 4-H projects of its kind in the Nation. This project was designed to provide youth in South Carolina an opportunity to raise a dairy heifer and experience the dairy industry, and then sell their heifer at the South Carolina Dairy Heifer Project Bred Heifer Sale. Throughout the years, thousands of South Carolina youth have taken part in 4-H dairy work. These 4-H and Dairy Heifer Project alumni can be found in all “walks of life.” Many are outstanding farmers and leaders of the dairy industry, while others are doctors, veterinarians, and teachers. In nearly every case, these people look back on this 4-H dairy experience as an outstanding part of their youth.

As the dairy industry has changed and evolved over the years, so has the South Carolina Dairy Heifer Project. Due to COVID restrictions, the 2020 Bred Heifer Sale was held online for the first time with great success. Due to that success, the sale has been permanently moved to an online format and the event dates have been adjusted to better suit the needs of the dairy industry. Through all the changes, the South Carolina Dairy Heifer Project has continued to thrive and reach youth across the state. Thirty-seven heifers are currently in project and under the care of 4-H youth and eighteen of those youth are from York County.

The 4-H and FFA dairy project members exhibit their dairy project animals at fairs, shows, and events in nearly every region of the state. Millions of people have seen or learned about 4-H and FFA through these youth dairy exhibits at the many fairs and events in South Carolina. This offers a tremendous opportunity for 4-H, FFA, Clemson Cooperative Extension, and the dairy industry to educate and inform the public about the dairy industry and youth dairy programs. Many thanks go out to the industry for the support of the program. Heifers for the project come from project alumni and producers across the Southeast who have seen the impact the project has had and is continuing to have on our youth.

Julia Newsome, Rural Health & Nutrition Extension Agent

Union & Cherokee Counties

I have promoted extension programs and recruited participants at various events/health fairs across Union County this summer. If you see me at a local event, feel free to stop by and ask any questions regarding Clemson Cooperative Extension programing!

I started two “Health Extension for Diabetes (HED)” cohorts for Union residents: one online and one in-person. Registration is open for the in-person cohort until Tuesday 09/19/23, please contact me if you are interested in HED programing.

• HED is a free diabetes support program recognized by the ADA as a practice-tested diabetes support program. The main goal of this program is to help participants better manage diabetes to prevent or delay complications. HED is 4 months long and includes a series of 8 education sessions and intermittent support sessions; Each session is designed to help participants learn more about diabetes and provide them with necessary skills and support to successfully self-manage diabetes. Participants will receive bi-weekly materials and weekly follow-up to help navigate resources and reach healthy lifestyle goals; A Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes diagnosis is required for enrollment.

In July, I spoke at the Union County School District’s (UCSD) Opening Day Professional Development event for UCSD staff. I provided “Know Diabetes By Heart (KDBH)”. If there is an upcoming event or group meeting that you would be interested in me speaking at, I would love to attend. Please feel free to contact me if you have any opportunities or questions.

• KDBH is sponsored by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and American Heart Association (AHA). It is a free education session offered in-person or online. The program aims to help participants better understand the link between diabetes and heart disease. By participating in this one-hour session, you will learn more about risks related to diabetes and heart disease, how to take control of your risks, and learn about community and clinical resources.

It is important for me to be a part of the Union community, so I became a member of the Union County Rotary Club this April. I’m looking forward to upholding the Clemson Extension standard of service!

Julia’s Contact Information:
Office – 864-424-8275
Email – Janewso@clemson.edu

Newberry County 4-H continues to rebuild its post-pandemic programs using both in-person and virtual methods. Our membership year runs September through August. At the mid-way mark of the 2022-23 4-H year we boast over 900 youth participating in our clubs, school enrichment programs, and independent projects.

4-H clubs are the root of our youth development programs, providing hands-on opportunities for youth ages 5-18 using volunteer leaders. Currently we offer 3 shooting sports clubs in shotgun and air rifle, 3 cooking clubs, 1 sewing club, and 1 virtual travel club. There are 64 youth participants meeting at least monthly, sometimes weekly, led by 17 certified and vetted adults.

School enrichment programs allow us to reach a wider range of youth and introduce them to 4-H opportunities. We are still utilizing virtual method created during COVID to reach 3^rd grade classes with virtual field trips and 5^th grade classes with financial literacy lessons. In addition, we offer monthly in-person healthy lifestyles lessons to 3^rd grade classes as well as monthly in-person financial literacy lessons to 5^th grade classes. In the spring, we will add our widely anticipated chick embryology program for 2^nd grade classes which generally reaches over 500 students.

Independent projects allow youth to participate in 4-H programming on their own, without being tied to a group. Last fall, 5 youth started the Wildlife Food Plot Project which wraps up in January. Additional independent programs will open this spring, including the Small Garden Project, Honey Bee Project, and various livestock projects. While these are long term projects, youth can also choose to participate in shorter events such as our Engineering Challenge on March 1 when over 10 Newberry youth will team up to compete in robotics, rocketry, bridge building, coding, visual arts, and/or a mystery challenge. There are also presentations contests and healthy lifestyles projects available.

In addition to club, school enrichment, and projects we also offer workshops and camps during school breaks. We are currently planning activities for spring break and summer. Stay tuned to the website for those line-ups: https://sites.google.com/view/newberry-county-4-h.

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer. For more information on Newberry County 4-H contact agent Alana West at awillin@clemson.edu or 803.768.8442.

Lauren Venegas Black

4H Agent for Saluda County

🗣Have you heard?! Registration for the Regional Video Presentation Contests have been extended to March 6th!

The purpose of the 4-H Presentations Contest is to allow participants to practice and perfect their presentation skills and receive valuable feedback on those skills. All junior and senior members (ages 9-19) are to participate.  🍀

Contact your 4-H agent for more information! #PresentLikeAPro #SC4H

The price of eggs is up and it is the perfect time to expand your flock. Registration is now open for the 2023 4-H Poultry Projects. Youth ages 5-18 from across the state are welcome to participate. Read all about this years opportunities and learn how to register here: https://sites.google.com/g.clemson.edu/sc4hpoultry2023/home

Congratulations Mya! She was Crowned S.C. Miss 4-H Queen !

Travis Mitchell
Livestock and Forages Agent for Newberry & Saluda Counties
Director for The South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association

The spring season is in full swing across the Carolina’s. It is a joy and relief to see pastures greening up and cattle grazing. Spring always brings optimism which was evident in the “beef cattle market outlook” presentation Dr. Andrew Griffith gave at the South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting. Cattle producers from across the state met at the T. Ed Garrison Cattle Complex on February 3rd for this event. Dr. Griffith, an Extension Livestock Economist with the University of Tennessee, presented to the group a favorable market outlook report indicating higher cattle prices for the next two years. Producers also enjoyed a presentation from State veterinarian Dr. Michael Neault. Dr. Neault presented on the Asia Longhorn Tick, educating producers regarding control measures and identification strategies. The meeting concluded with a joint awards banquet with the Clemson Bull Test.

Be on the lookout in next month’s issue of the Carolina Cattle Connection for photos and awards of excellence winners. I want to thank each of our Prime, Choice, and Select members for putting on an outstanding trade show and for their financial support in making the 2023 Annual Meeting a huge success.

York County Urban Horticulture Agent, Paul Thompson, taught soon-to-be-released inmates to earn the South Carolina Certified Landscape Professional designation.

31 out of the 36 inmates completing the class passed the final exam, allowing these individuals to find gainful employment within the green industry.

Spartanburg Horticulture Agent Drew Jeffers and Paul were invited to present this project to the Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science conference in Kansas City, Kansas on February 4, 2023.

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

York County Clemson Extension

120 N. Congress Street

York, SC 29745

Learn about specific funding opportunities relevant to new farmers and techniques for successfully applying to these programs! Learn how to determine your eligibility, plan and write your proposal, prepare supporting documentation including business plans, and what to do if you are awarded. The workshop will cover Federal Grant Programs: Value Added Producer Grant, LFPP/FMPP, Rural Energy for America Program, Southern SARE Producer Grants, Farm Storage Facility Loan, EQUIP) as well as State and Local Grant Programs: Specialty Crop Growers Association Programs, ACRE Programs, SBDC Microgrants.

For more information:  www.scnewfarmer.org