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Area Forestry and Natural Resources Report

Jeff Fellers

Summer is nearing an end and now is the time to get ready to make our way into the fall and winter.  We have had a busy summer in Extension as operations have returned to normal after the Covid outbreak.  This summer I have hosted two forestry association meetings, hosted a Hardwood Regeneration Workshop, wrapped up Master Tree Farmer with three different field tours across the state and made numerous direct contacts through field visits, office visits, and phone calls.

In May, I hosted a Hardwood Regeneration Workshop in McConnells, South Carolina.  In a state where pine is the number one timber crop, many times our hardwood stands get ignored.  This program was geared towards both landowners and professionals.  The program offered continuing education credits for professional foresters and those that needed pesticide credits.  This was an eight-hour program that went in-depth about how to convert an existing hardwood stand into a hardwood stand with favorable species for timber and wildlife.  The program had a classroom session and field tour that occurred at a demonstration site at Draper Wildlife Management Area.  Participants learned about herbicide prescriptions to control and kill existing timber, the basal area that needed to be left to maintain an existing canopy, and planting techniques for species that would be desirable in this situation.  We had 16 people attend this program, which included both landowners and professionals.  We had seven surveys completed on the program.  Of those seven, five were professionals and two were landowners.  The survey participants represented 903 acres owned and 131,000 acres managed.   Dr. Stephen Peairs (Clemson) and Dr. David Clabo (Georgia) provided the presentation based off of Dr. Peairs research and demonstration on the Draper WMA.  This workshop provided a good example of how research from Clemson University can help our local landowners better manage their hardwood stands.

May was a busy month, as I also hosted a meeting for the Newberry Forestry Association and the Laurens Forest Landowners Association.  The Newberry Forestry Association met for the first time since the Covid outbreak.  We had 29 people in attendance and had a program on Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer presented by Charles Ruth from SC Department of Natural Resources.  The Laurens Forest Landowners Association had 35 people in attendance and had a program on cost share available to landowners.  This program was presented by Chisolm Beckham with the SC Forestry Commission and Lisa Good with the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Both of these Association also met in August.  The Newberry Forestry Association had 33 in attendance, and the Laurens Forest Landowners Association had 36 in attendance.  Carla Carlos from the SC Forestry Commission presented at both of these meeting on pine genetics.  These groups meet on a quarterly basis with their meetings typically being held in February, May, August, and November.  If you would be interested in attending any of these meetings, please contact me, at fellers@clemson.edu.

Master Tree Farmer was offered this year as a hybrid course.  The majority of the course was virtual with presentations online for participants.  Field tours at the end of the course were optional. We had 180 participants take the class, and roughly 130 participants took part in the field tours.  Field tours were hosted in the Upstate, Midlands, and Coastal area to help reduce travel for the participants.  Field tours were held on private lands where property owners were actively managing their timber.  The property owners provided details on how they managed their property, mistakes they had made, and things that they had done right to help better educate participants in timber management.

I also serve on the Indian Creek Quail Restoration Committee.  This committee puts out two newsletters a year.  One was published in March, and the next will be published in September.  These newsletters are great tools to get more information on managing for Quail.  This committee also hosts two workshops a year.  Our previous workshop was hosted in May, at the Belfast plantation owned by the SC Department of Natural Resources.  Attendees were able to see how the staff at the Belfast Plantation manages the property for Quail.  Participants visited sites that demonstrated timber thinning, beneficial native plant species, prescribed burn areas, and chemically treated areas to benefit habitat for Quail.

Lastly, I always enjoy the one-on-one site visits, phone calls, and office visits.   One-on-one visits provide a personal education experience where landowners learn how to better manage their specific property or natural resources.  This summer I have had 82 direct contacts that touched on subjects from timber management, wildlife management, invasive weed control, pond management and general horticultural/garden questions just to name a few.  Through these methods of direct contact, I have reached at least 100 people and 725 acres of owned property.

It has been a busy summer, with many programs offered for forestry and natural resource education.  If you would like more information on programs available for forestry and natural resource, please contact me, at fellers@clemson.edu.

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.

South Carolina Dairy Heifer Project

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. Twenty-seven new heifers were placed in the Summer of 2021, 13 of which went to new project participants. Brown Swiss were also added for the first time in project history in 2021.

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.

This year Newberry County 4-H has focused on developing county level projects for youth to participate in. Last summer, we held our first County Tomato Project. Nine youth participated in growing tomatoes that might be the largest or the ugliest in the county. As we were purchasing the prizes for these winners, things that they could grow in a fall garden, it was suggested that we try a Turnip Project since “turnips grow ugly too!” By September, we had 11 youth and 3 schools growing purple top turnips.

Each project started with a kick-off. This year, those were held virtually and led by Clemson Extension Horticulture Agents. Youth were exposed to the history of the crop and taught the do’s and don’ts of growing them successfully, how to harvest and measure for the project, and even what the tomato or turnip could be used for. For the Tomato Project, youth were given seedlings and for the Turnip Project, we started with seeds. In addition to growing and harvesting the plants, youth were expected to complete a project record book that allowed them to keep track of planting and harvesting dates, precipitation, problems in the garden, and project expenses/profits. At the culmination of the project, youth submitted photos and measurements of their largest fruit and ugliest harvest. We utilized social media for voting, allowing the community to choose the ugliest tomato and ugliest turnip in all the land, well at least in Newberry.

This project has been fun even though things haven’t always gone as expected, dates have had to be extended, and virtual can still be a challenge, but learning has always happened and since “learn by doing” is the motto of 4-H, we’ll call it a success!

Clemson Cooperative Extension’s Rural Health Team offers virtual yoga classes every Wednesday from 12-12:30 PM. Yoga for Every Body is an all-levels, gentle yoga class designed to help you get more movement during your week. Modifications are offered to complement all abilities, with the option to participate from a comfortable seat or standing. By participating in these weekly classes, you will learn to listen to your body’s cues to find what feels good, reduce stress, increase flexibility and physical activity, and cultivate a practice of gratitude to help shift your perspective.

If interested, register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-little-goes-a-long-way-weekly-yoga-for-every-body-tickets-138693376623.

By attending just one class, you gain access to our library of all prior recorded classes, too! Join 10 Yoga for Every Body classes + 1 additional Rural Health Team program this year to participate in our 2022 Challenge! After completing the challenge, you will receive a yoga goodie box with a yoga strap, blocks, and therapy balls to help customize your unique yoga experience.

Ellie Lane, Health Extension Agent

The Greenville County 2022 Master Gardner Volunteer Training Class is off to a beautiful start already after our first class on February 1! We have a lively bunch of 17 students eager to learn more about horticulture and gardening. Each of them is incredibly passionate about making a difference in their community. The Greenville County 2022 Master Gardener Volunteer Training Class is off to a beautiful start already after our first class on February 1! We have a lively bunch of 17 students eager to learn more about horticulture and gardening. I lucked out, and I have the best students in the state’s program, each of them so unique and diverse in their background and interests.

I am looking forward to seeing these students go through this program and reach their goals.

Mary Vargo, District Extension Director

ONLINE & SELF PACED VIA CLEMSON ONLINE (Clemson Canvas)

TRAINING IS FOR CORE EXAM AND CATEGORY 3 – TURF AND ORNAMENTAL
Cost: $100 per person

This prep course is designed to help serve as a guide through the manuals to better help you prepare to take the commercial pesticide applicator exams. The course takes the participant through the exam study material and provides practice exams. FIND OUT MORE.

Please join me in welcoming Mary Vargo to Extension.  She is serving as the consumer Horticulture Agent in the Greenville County Extension office.

Mary has a B.Sc. in Horticulture (2018), as well as an M.Sc. in Plant and Environmental Sciences (2020), both from Clemson University. Mary’s experiences range from interning in France at Claude Monet’s House and Gardens, to commercial greenhouse production systems, and teaching plant ID and greenhouse production courses in graduate school. Mary is passionate about many horticulture topics, but a few of her favorites are cut flower production, ornamental landscape plants, and identifying native plants and plant communities in upstate South Carolina.

George M Dickert, District Extension Director

Since January 2021, Health Extension Agent Melissa Bales has delivered various health education programs to the community. These programs include the Diabetes Prevention Program, Health Extension for Diabetes, WalkSC, and Know Diabetes by Heart. Over the first seven months of the year, these programs have reached 169 participants from across the state, most of whom live in Greenville County. These programs will continue to serve clients over the next several months. The Diabetes Prevention Program and Health Extension for groups at the end of August. Health Extension for Diabetes and Know Diabetes by Heart will start offering Spanish sessions beginning this fall, allowing for a broader reach of these programs to the community. WalkSC will also start another program this fall. In addition, Health Extension for Diabetes and Know Diabetes by Heart are going to be face-to-face classes! Programs will begin in downtown Greenville and Greer in September. We are thrilled to start going back into the community to deliver these health programs and connect face-to-face once again!

Melissa Bales, Health Extension Agent