Chris LeMaster Livestock & Forage Agent Cherokee, Spartanburg, & Union Counties
Over 97% of US farms are family-owned, and less than one-third have a formal succession plan.
Let’s try to imagine a business that is worth over a million dollars in assets and holdings. A new investor/partner has started with the company and scheduled a meeting with the CEO/Founder to discuss the transition plan. The CEO obliges, but instead of meeting in an office, they meet at the CEO’s kitchen table. The table is covered with invoices, receipts, seed, parts list and so forth. During the meeting, the CEO’s phone constantly rings with calls about fences, hay, and other “urgencies.” Both parties are beginning to wonder if this is a waste of time; unfortunately, the meeting gets cut short by an issue with a hay baler in the field. No progress was made.
This is a common scene in our family-run farms. Everyone would agree that developing a succession plan is a high-value task for our farm families. Still, the small, less valuable task often takes precedence due to its perceived urgency.
On September 21st, there were over 75 farmers at the succession planning workshop in Pacolet, South Carolina. Speakers from FSA, SC land, and Clemson Extension gave farm families the tools necessary to get started with this vital task. We covered much ground but only scratched the surface of these critical topics. We are working on suggestions and feedback for the next installment of this workshop series. There were farmers from several counties in our region, and we had a great deal of support from our sponsors.
We look forward to equipping farmers now so these farms will still be in farmland tomorrow. Farms are businesses, and successful businesses need a good plan for carrying on to the next generation.
The Newberry County Forestry Association hosted their 20th biennial Forestry Focus program on Saturday, March 15, 2025. For those who are not familiar with Forestry Focus, it is an all-day event that will run from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. This year we had over 60 people in attendance to learn about a variety of topics related to forestry and natural resources.
Laurens County Spotlight on Agriculture
Laurens County Spotlight on Agriculture recognizes all the agricultural producers in the county. This year Bruce Davidson was awarded the Laurens County Woodlands Manager of the year.
Growing our Future
Growing our Future is a valued gathering for the forest management community.This program is designed for professionals as well as landowners. This year the program was held May 7 at the Phillips Market Center at the SC State Farmers Market. There were over 150 people in attendance.
Woodland Clinic
Every year I get the opportunity to help with the woodland clinic. This is a great program that offers FFA chapters and 4-H clubs the opportunity to compete in forestry skills. Teams compete in tree measurement, tool identification, tree identification, and compass and pacing.
Master Tree Farmer Field Tour
On May 16, we hosted a field tour for the Master Tree Farmer participants. The tour was hosted at Mike Meetze tree farm where participants got to see various forest management techniques that has be implemented on his farm. We had about 15 in attendance.
Master Tree Farmer participants at Mike Meetze tree farm.
Nature Hike at Chester State Park with 4-H
Had the opportunity to lead a trail hike with Robert Carter for a 4-H summer day camp at Chester State Park. Participants learned about the forest that the trail navigates through.
Newberry Soil and Water Mobile Lab Gardening Program
Assist with providing a program on soil sampling and how to interpret a soil analysis.
July 11, 2025 – Fall Gardens and soil health
September 25, 2025 – Winter gardens and soil health
Newberry Soil and Water Mobile Lab
Newberry Forestry Association
May 13, 2025 – Drew Fasano with Arborgen presented on alternative spacing using high end genetics to reduce pulpwood and maximize sawtimber.
August 12, 2025 – Seth Sofferin with Quail Forever presented on a cost share program that they are offering to landowners.
Newberry Forestry Association
Laurens Forest Landowners Association
May 27, 2025 – Dr. Patrick Hiesl presented on the economics of portable sawmills for a landowner.
August 26, 2025 — Seth Sofferin with Quail Forever presented on a cost share program that they are offering to landowners.
Laurens Forestry Association
Edisto Research and Education Center — This past year the Forestry and Natural Resource Team has been more involved in timber management at Edisto REC.
Prescribed Burn
Tree Planting – Planted a long leaf pine for a silvo-pasture demonstration.
Silva-Pasture Demonstration – thinned some trees to open alley ways that will be planted for grazing, along with opening another stand to plant grasses under trees.
Prescribed burn at Edisto REC
Solar Kiln
Had the opportunity to help Dr. Patrick Hiesl build a solar kiln for some research that he will be conducted. This solar kiln is designed for small scale use with portable sawmills.
Solar Kiln
4-H Shooting Sports Trailer The 4-H Shooting Sports Trailer has been busy the last few months. We use the trailer to raise funds for our 4-H Shooting Sports Program. We have been fortunate to raise enough funds to purchase and maintain our supplies, so the participants do not have to pay any extra fees for the clubs.
Walker Days – February 21-22, 2025
Camp Conservation – June 20, 2025
4-H Shooting Sports Trailer
Upcoming Events:
Union County Agricultural Fair – October 14-18, 2025
Union County 5K Day at the Fair – October 16, 2025
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!
As a 4-H agent I try to figure out how to promote our organization, give back to our communities, and of course, pay for it all. Every now and then an opportunity comes along that can help with each of these goals. Just such an opportunity came to Union 4-H with the collaboration of “Forged in 4-H” and the Union County Agricultural Fair.
“Forged In 4-H” is a program designed to teach metallurgy and blacksmithing skills in a safe manner, with the use of chemistry, geometry, physics, math, and hands on projects. This program uses learning techniques that allow students to experience and learn the trade of blacksmithing in a modern and traditional manner.
As an update, Forged in 4-H is now housed in a building located on the Union County Fairgrounds. The use of this building was donated to Union County 4-H for the purpose of teaching blacksmithing, as well as providing a new and interesting exhibit for the Fair. Along with the modern blacksmithing equipment, a new 1800’s style blacksmith shop has been constructed in part of the building. This allows the teaching of blacksmithing on a completely different aspect and level. In addition to the educational aspect of this project, it will give the opportunity to the patrons of the Union County Agricultural Fair, Union County Farm Show, and other events held here to see how blacksmithing was done then and now.
Not only will this program be an asset to Union County, but it will also further set Union County 4-H apart from other 4-H programs in the state. No other county has the equipment to conduct such a program. It will create a draw for people outside of Union to come to our county, as it is unique to this area of the state. It will afford visitors the opportunity to see demonstrations, by 4-H youth, with modern blacksmithing equipment, as well as how blacksmithing was done 200 years ago in the same building.
Fall is busy time in Extension with local fairs and the State Fair. I am actively involved in the Union County Agricultural Fair, so that consumes most of my time in October. This is a time we also get a lot of calls about fall food plots. This year we also saw the armyworms come and damage many of the early planting for fall food plots.
Site Visits/Office Visit You never know what may come through the door at the office or what you might expect to see at a site visit. Fall and winter are the times when we start seeing the winter annual weeds pop up. Landowners and homeowner often times bring samples in for identification and management recommendations. Late summer early fall also is a time where we see a lot of foliar diseases on plants from the warm humid conditions.
Union County Agricultural If you have never been to the Union County Agricultural Fair you need to plan a visit next October. This county fair has everything from rides, feature shows, livestock exhibits, home economics exhibits, and agricultural products exhibit. Clemson Extension manages the livestock shows, home economics exhibits, agricultural products exhibit, poultry barn exhibits, and livestock exhibits. Premiums and ribbons are given out to participants that place in the categories. We put a lot of work in the fair to make sure it is a successful event and promotes agriculture.
5-K Day at the Fair 5-K day is always a favorite of mine. All the kindergarten students in the County come to the fair as a field trip for school. We set up five minutes lessons to teach them about agriculture. These lessons are set up throughout the barn and the classes rotate through each lesson. We teach the students about beef cows, dairy cows, goats, horses, chickens, rabbits, bees, and crops. My job is to teach the kids about crops. I plant these crops in early May as a demonstration for the fair and to use for this program. We offer this program every year on Thursday when the fair is in town.
Newberry Forestry Association The Newberry Forestry Association hosted meetings in November and February. In November we had Chris Gordy and Steve Salsbury from West Fraser present a program on mill updates in Newberry County. They spoke on the sawmill in Newberry and the OSB mill in Joanna. The February meeting featured Kevin Burkett with Clemson Extension speaking on timber taxes and looking at claiming losses since hurricane Helene had an impact in our County.
Laurens Forest Landowners Association The Laurens Forest Landowners Association hosted meetings in November and February. In November, Jeff Fellers with Clemson Extension presented a program on interpreting soil samples. The February meeting featured Dr. Adam Kantrovich speaking on timber taxes and loses since Laurens was affected by Helene.
4-H Shooting Sports Trailer The 4-H Shooting Sports Trailer has been busy the last few months. We use the trailer to raise funds for our 4-H Shooting Sports Program. We have been fortunate to raise enough funds to purchase and maintain our supplies so the participants do not have to pay and extra fee for the clubs. We hosted trailer at the Union County Agricultural Fair in October. This is our big event, as we open the trailer every night of the fair. We also hosted the trailer at the Grand American in Orangeburg and the Southeastern Treeing Walker Days in Union. Both of these events attract participants from many states and allows us to promote 4-H and our program to many people outside our County. In Orangeburg, over 25,000 people typically attend. While the Southeastern Treeing Walker Days is not as big, we still see thousands of participants at that event as well.
Forest Health Workshop On March 3rd I hosted a Forest Health Workshop with Dr. David Coyle. This program was geared toward forestry and natural resource professionals and offer continuing education credits that are required in their field. Topics include Pesticide regulatory update, Pine insects and diseases, hardwood insects and diseases, market update, herbicide application techniques, and invasive species management.
2025 Forestry Focus 2025 Forestry Focus is our 20th biennial program. This year the program will be hosted on March 15, 2025. Forestry Focus is hosted by Clemson Extension and the Newberry Forestry Association. We host this program every odd year. This is an all-day event that is geared toward landowners and professionals. We offer continuing education credits in both forestry and pesticides. This year our topics included Local Market Updates, Estate Planning, Forest Health, Nuisance Wildlife, and Pond Management.
Upcoming Events:
Newberry Forestry Association – May 13, 2025 – Drew Fasano with Arborgen will presenting on recommendations for spacing on higher end genetics with a focus on reducing pulpwood and maximizing sawtimber.
Laurens Forestry Association – May 27, 2025 – Patrick Hiesl will present on the economics of a portable sawmill for landowners.
Christopher LeMaster, Area Livestock & Forage Agent Cherokee, Spartanburg, & Union Counties
Loss of Farmland is a top concern among our stakeholders as South Carolina continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. Last year, over 90,000 people moved to our state (which is more than the population of the city of Greenville). Additionally, Industry is quickly relocating to the Sunbelt states. Even in Cherokee County, we are experiencing development pressure compounded by the rising average age of farmers. I don’t have to explain the importance of farmland to this group, but without farms and farmland, we increase our dependency on something we need at least 3 times a day. I appreciate the opportunities that come with this growth, but I think we are justified in our concerns about this rapid loss of farmland. There’s no simple solution; it involves advocacy, education, zoning, regulation, and, most importantly, profitable farms. Yes, farms need to be profitable and enjoyable to survive. Farming is hard work, both physically and mentally, and many of our farmers are aging out. Nothing ages you faster than hard, unpleasant work for no money.
My goal for 2025 is to offer classes focusing on profitability and ways to bring another farming generation on board. The classes I have planned for this year will challenge farmers to look at their farms as businesses and break their operations down into enterprises to assess profitability and viability and hopefully identify solutions for some of the drudgery of farming. I invite you to attend the Beef Market Outlook and Profitability Workshop on 3/20 and the Succession Planning for Farm Families and Conservation Easements Workshop on 8/21. Both programs will be in Pacolet for a central location to my counties (Cherokee, Union, and Spartanburg). Additionally, we have teamed up with a few like-minded organizations to form the Broad River Conservation Partnership to offer field days to assist landowners with conservation practices such as prescribed fire, native grass establishment, and conservation easements.
I hope to see you at one of these programs this spring. Here are a few other workshops to look forward to.
3/11
3/20
3/21-22
3/25
3/28
3/28
4/5
4/11-12
4/18
4/29
5/9
5/27
6/24
7/29
Wheat/Soybean Production Meeting
Beef Market Outlook & How to Assess Your Operation’s Profitability
Peach Country Livestock Show
Home Gardening Series: Beekeeping for Beginners
Backyard Poultry Processing
Down on the Farm Day
Urban Homesteading Poultry
Union Livestock Rodeo
Small Ruminants Field Day
Home Gardening Series: Sustainable Pest Management
It’s an exciting time to be a 4-H’er in Union County. Oftentimes it is difficult for 4-H clubs to
find suitable space to hold meetings and do activities. We are very fortunate in Union to have access
to a great meeting room. Recently that
got even better, as the use of an entire building has been donated to Union
4-H.
Located on the Union County Fairgrounds is a 40’x60’
freestanding building that has not been utilized to is maximum potential for
several years. Things would come and go, but nothing seemed to stick. One of the problems was that no one wanted to
tackle the upgrades needed. As the Union
Forged In 4-H program has grown, a larger, more suitable space was needed. I approached the fair board and asked if they
would give the use of the building to 4-H to conduct meetings for Forged In
4-H. The board agreed and the journey
began.
With the space secured, I set out to get 2 grants (the Clemson
University Innovation Award, and the Union Community Grant) for the upgrades
and a new project. With help from Union
County the improvements began to get the building to a workable state. After seeing the improvements being made the
fair board made an investment in the project by paying for a concrete walkway
to be poured in the building. The new project would be another level of Forged
In 4-H in the form of an 1850’s style blacksmith shop. This shop will be used to teach traditional
coal forging as well as demonstrations during events held at the fairgrounds
for the purpose of promoting 4-H.
At the time of this newsletter the project is not complete, but we are getting close. Our goal was to have it up and running for the Union County Farm Show on September 21, 2024, and we did. When completed an investment of around $25,000 will have been made overall on this endeavor. It will pay back dividends for many years to come through education, demonstrations, and the preservation of history.
Chris LeMaster Livestock & Forages Agent Cherokee, Spartanburg, & Union Counties
Safety data (2019) by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the agriculture sector continues to be the most dangerous in America with 573 fatalities, or an equivalent of 23.1 deaths per 100,000 workers. Even in Cherokee County, we have had two ag-related fatalities less than a year apart. As we prepare for the busyness of fall hay harvest, a reminder about farm safety is much needed.
On August 1st we held a farm safety workshop tailored for cattle and hay producers. Typically, safety talks bring about a glazed and yawning audience. However, our speaker, Marion Barnes, used many real-life examples from around our state. He shared startling facts about the dangers of youth around farms. One point that shapes the deadly youth statistics is that on most farms, there is no separation between the barnyard and the children’s play area . This leads to complacency around dangerous equipment for both the youth and the parents.
Aside from the loss of limb or life, accidents on the farm are very costly and, in many cases, can bankrupt a farm. If you want to see your farm passed down another generation, you had better make good decisions on your “calculated” risks around equipment and livestock.
After the presentation, many stories were shared with the audience about ag-related deaths and injuries in our county from the past couple of decades. I received several calls after the workshop from farmers stating they appreciated the safety talk and planned to implement changes in their operations.
Grain Bin Safety Trailer
This program stemmed from an in-service training held on June 3rd at the Sandhills Experiment Station. Agents and specialists from across the state received presentations and demonstrations on farm safety topics. The demonstrations included legally transporting equipment, Rollover protection systems, and grain bin rescue. The grain bin rescue simulator was the most impressive demonstration. It was designed and constructed by the Ag Mechanization department to fit a small grain bin on top of an enclosed trailer that houses specialized equipment for the extraction demonstration. This trailer has been all over the state to help rescue teams train for grain bin entrapment. We plan to have this trailer visit some local fire departments in our farming communities.
Farmers are hard to replace, and so many people count on us. Please slow down and think about any avoidable risks. We need our farmers, and your families need you. For more information on farm safety and mental health for farmers, visit the links below:
Summer has arrived.
With it comes dry weather, high temperatures, insects, and fungal
diseases. All can stress our plants and
lead to more site and office visits to look at stressed and diseased
plants. This summer has been no
different. I always enjoy talking with
clients and trying to help them identify their problems and find ways to help
them. Below are some of the interesting
programs I have been associated with over the last few months.
Site Visits/Office Visit You never know what may come through the door at the office or what you
might expect to see at a site visit. We
receive a lot of questions on small gardens throughout the summer. These can range from blossom end rot, to
stink bugs, to powdery mildew, and many other common pests and diseases found
in the garden. I also get tree calls
from around the area. These have ranged
from lichen, dying oak trees, pine beetles, and numerous other insects and
diseases that affect our trees. Aquatic
weeds in ponds also become more of a problem in summer, and I do numerous
identifications and treatment options for landowners. I
always enjoy the specimens that clients bring in. There is always an
opportunity to learn about new insects and diseases that I have not seen
before.
Camp Conservation Camp Conservation is hosted by the Newberry Soil and Water Conservation District. I have participated in this camp for the last several years by taking the 4-H Shooting Sports Trailer. I normally take the trailer on the Friday of the Camp (June 28). Participants learn about gun safety, parts of the gun and how to shoot. The youth then get to shoot air rifles as they rotate through the different stations for the day.
Women Owning Woodlands On April 12, I assisted in a field tour for Women Owning Woodlands. This tour was held at a tree farm in Laurens, South Carolina. At the field tour they learned about wildlife food plots, soil sampling, how to interpret a soil sample, prescribe fire, pine management, and various other topics. Women Owning Woodlands aims to educate women in the stewardship of the land by connecting them to resources and trusted professionals.
Lynches Woods
Trail Hike On August 17, I led a hike at Lynches Woods in Newberry, South
Carolina. Newberry Parks and Recreation
hosted the hike on National TRACK Trails Day.
Participants learned about tree identification, keeping forests healthy,
and various other plant related topics as we walked the trail.
Newberry Forestry Association The Newberry Forestry Association hosted meetings in May and August. The May meeting featured a presentation by Jake McClain, a wildlife biologist with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. Jake presented on creating and managing quail habitat. The August meeting featured a presentation by Scott Danskin with the SC Forestry Commission on the current status of timber markets and mills in reference to the area. The Newberry Forestry Association also gave out three $500 scholarships to local students who will be majoring in a field that benefits forest landowners.
Laurens Forest Landowners Association
The Laurens Forest Landowners Association hosted meetings in May and
August. The May meeting featured a
presentation by Jake McClain, a wildlife biologist with Pheasants Forever and
Quail Forever. Jake presented on
creating and managing quail habitat. The
August meeting featured two presentations.
Matthew Wannamaker from the Farm Service Agency presented on the agency’s
forestry related programs. The second
presentation was by Holly Welch and Devin Orr on potential free stewardship
management plans for landowners in Laurens County.
Broad River Conservation
Partnership In March of 2024, the Broad River Conservation Partnership hosted their
first landowners meeting. Landowners
attending the meeting heard testimonies from those who have benefited from
working with land trust to help conserve their properties. This is a program that is spearheaded by SC
Department of Natural Resources, with the help of numerous other
organizations. The goal is to conserve,
protect, and elevate the importance of our natural resources in the Broad River
Watershed.
Clemson
Experimental Forest Southern Pine Beetle Tour
Unfortunately, there is currently a Southern Pine Beetle outbreak in the
Clemson Experimental Forest. The
Forestry and Wildlife Team toured numerous spots on Friday August 9, 2024. This was a great opportunity to see how the
Experimental Forest was managing the problem.
The team was able to see active spots, controlled spots, and a salvage
harvest.
South Carolina Society of American Foresters Annual
Meeting The South Carolina Society of American Foresters held their annual meeting
in Newberry, SC June 12 through June 13.
I assisted in the planning and hosting of this meeting. On June 12, we had a tree farm tour with a
social. June 13 was classroom sessions
that focused on forest markets and the projected outlook.
Woodland Clinic Woodland Clinic is a forestry skills competition held at Connie Maxwell
Children’s Ministries property in Greenwood, South Carolina. High schools from across the state are
invited to attend and compete.
Participants compete in tree measurement, forestry tools, compass and
pacing, and forest pest identification.
I have helped for numerous years in the compass and pacing
competition.
Master Tree
Farmer Tour On May 10 we held a Master Tree Farmer Tour for participants of the class
at Mike Meetze’s tree farm in Newberry, SC.
Participants were able to see a typical pine rotation from planting to
harvest. They were able to see a stand
marked for pole harvest along with an operation sawmill on the property.
Upcoming Events:
Union County Farm Show – September 21, 2024, Union County
Fair Grounds
Union County Agricultural Fair – October 15 – 19, 2024,
Union County Fair Grounds
5K Day at the Union County Agricultural Fair – October
17, 2024
The first Health Extension for Diabetes (HED) cohort in Union County was a community success! The cohort started in September 2023 and graduated in December 2023, with approximately a 90% graduation rate (adjusted)! We are recruiting for a second Health Extension for Diabetes cohort at the Union County Library for HED in-person programing. Registration is open from 02/13/24-03/12/24, please contact me if you are interested in participating!
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.
February is American Heart month; If there is an upcoming event or group meeting that you are looking for a guest speaker and a timely topic, I would love to attend and hold the Know Diabetes by Heart (KDBH) program. 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.
