The growing importance consumers have placed on knowing where their food comes from has resulted in an increase in small-scale and backyard farming. A series of learning sessions and workshops aimed to educate those who are or are considering on producing their own meat, milk, or eggs has begun in York and surrounding counties by Clemson Extension Livestock and Forage agents. To date, four poultry, one goat, and one dairy workshop have been delivered with over 100 participants attending at least one. These programs have been held in conjunction with the Clover and Fort Mill Libraries and at local farms. The goal for these initial programs is to help participants determine if small-scale or backyard farming is right for them and the steps that need to be taken to get started. More in-depth workshops are being planned so if you are interested please contact the York County Extension Office.
Tina Horne
Livestock and Forages Agent
State Dairy Program Coordinator
thorn@clemson.edu
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
Jeff Fellers Area Forestry & Natural Resource Agent Chester, Laurens, Newberry, Union, & York
One thing I love about working for Clemson Extension is the
diversity of work throughout the seasons.
Rarely do we have the same tasks day after day. It often changes with the season. The fall
and winter seasons bring about fairs and festivals, along with our normal
activities.
Union County Agricultural Fair October is all about the fair in Union County. The Union County Extension Office is heavily
involved in managing the livestock, poultry, agricultural products, and home
economics sections. We also operate the
Union County 4-H Shooting Sports Trailer throughout the week of the fair. On Thursday of the fair, we also host a 5K
day where all the Union County public schools bring their kindergarten classes
to the fair to learn about livestock and agriculture. I always enjoy presenting on the crops
section for this field trip. If you have
never visited the Union County Agricultural Fair I highly recommend coming by
and seeing us.
Kids in the Parks Track Trail I
had the opportunity to lead a trail hike for the Newberry County
Recreation Department for their grand opening of the Kids in the Parks
Track Trail. This trail is located at Lynches Woods in Newberry
County. I really enjoyed spending the afternoon with the children and
helping them identify some trees and shrubs, along with learning about
growth rings on pine trees. The Newberry County Recreation Department
has a nice kiosk with brochures that help educate those who take the
hike.
Wood Magic Forest Fair Wood Magic Forest Fair is a free field trip for fourth graders, hosted by
the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
The program provides a learning experience about the forest industry in
South Carolina that meet fourth grade school standards. Volunteers from around the forest industry
come together to teach fourth graders all about forestry. This year I had the opportunity to teach the
Gifts of the Forest station at the Harbison State Forest location. For more information on Wood Magic visit: https://www.scfc.gov/education/wood-magic/.
Learn to Burn In November, I had the opportunity to assist with a Learn to Burn program in Union County. This program was hosted by the Piedmont Prescribed Fire Cooperative at a private landowner’s property. Participants were able to actively participate in a burn on a mature pine stand. They were able to see the process from planning, preparation, execution, and mop up. Learn To Burn provides a great educational experience to landowners that are wanting to learn how to implement prescribe fire on their property.
Newberry Forestry Association The Newberry Forestry Association had their last quarterly meeting in 2023
on November 14. We met at Mt. Pleasant
UMC. Eddie Reese, with NRCS, presented
on forestry cost share programs. Our
next meeting will be February 13, 2024, and our topic will be estate
planning.
Laurens Forest Landowners Association
The Laurens Forest Landowners Association had their last quarterly meeting in
2023 on November 28. We met at the
Laurens County Farm Bureau Office. Chris
Gordy, from West Fraser, presented on local and statewide mill updates. Our next meeting will be February 27, 2024.
Grand American This was the first year that we took the Union County 4-H Shooting Sports Trailer down to the Grand American in Orangeburg, SC. Along with Forged In 4-H, we set up a display to help raise funds for the two programs. Just like at the Union County Agricultural Fair, the trailer is set up for participants to have fun shooting air rifles. For those less experienced shooters, we spend a little extra time helping them learn the basics of shooting. Forged In 4-H also provided forging demonstrations, while selling some of the items that were made through the program. The Grand American provided an excellent venue to advertise our program and educate participants about what great programs we have to offer.
4-H Food Plots One of my favorite activities in this job is judging 4-H Food Plots. We typically do this in January, so the weather is normally not cooperative. This year however, we had a very nice day to be out in the woods. We judged 1 in Newberry County and 2 in Union County. For more information on the 4-H Food Plot Project visit the following link: https://www.clemson.edu/extension/4h/program-areas/natural-resources/wildlife-food-plot-project.html.
With the demand for beef up, more dairy producers are crossbreeding heifers or less productive cows with beef. With this shift and an increased interest in local grown beef, several livestock and 4-H agents are piloting a beef on dairy youth project to allow youth opportunities to grow and show these animals.
This project will allow youth who do not have beef or dairy cattle of their own or are looking for a shorter-term project than the current dairy heifer project an opportunity. Milky Way farm is willing to provide animals needed for this project and share with us the list of individuals that currently buy these animals from them. They do not currently raise enough steers to fill the orders for meat that they have requests for.
Youth who sign up for the project will need to have the ability to care for and raise an animal up to 1000 pounds. Application process will give priority to those who do not have cattle of their own. Youth will sign up and pay $500 for these animals that will be randomly drawn in May. Youth will then feed, care for and show these animals for one year. These animals will be able to show at several local shows and the South Carolina State Fair during the dairy show. This is a terminal project and all will be sold for beef in October of the following year.
This project will give more youth the opportunity to learn about animal agriculture and may be a bridge for these youth to the beef or dairy heifer project. It may also provide more siblings to participate in a cattle project should a family reach the maximum of two youth per family if there is a shortage of dairy project heifers.
Contact:
TINA HORN
LIVESTOCK AND FORAGES AGENT STATE DAIRY PROGRAM COORDINATOR
York County Cooperative Extension
Clemson University
120 North Congress St.
York, South Carolina 29745 w 803-944-2089 thorn@clemson.edu
Do you rely on a private well for your drinking water source? With more than 20% of South Carolinians falling into this category, it is essential that these wells are properly maintained in order to ensure safe drinking water. Maintenance of the well is the responsibility of the well owner and can often get overlooked. If you feel overwhelmed when it comes to all the different well components, water quality testing, and treatment options, then you are not alone! The Clemson Extension Water Resources team recently developed numerous resources to help well owners on these very topics as part of the Be Well Informed program. This includes a three-part HGIC factsheet series – Residential Drinking Water Well: Well Components, Water Quality, and Water Treatment Options.
For a more in-depth overview for well owners, check out the new Be Well Informed Online Course. Here well owners are able to dive into three modules covering SC water resources, well maintenance, and water quality. This course is free for all and is self-paced! For more information and to sign up for the online course, Click Here.
If you have any questions regarding your well or other water-related questions, please contact:
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
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.
4-H is doing so much in York County! This summer we hosted many 4-H opportunities for the youth. We were able to have camps and teach youth about outdoor art, sewing, playing guitar, baking, insect identification, horses, cooking, and leadership. Our county sent 11 youth to Clemson for a week to learn about statewide 4-H opportunities, build relationships with 4-Her’s from other counties, and enjoy workshops on life skills and leadership. Our youth have also been working hard this summer to prepare for the fall livestock show season. Many of these 4-Her’s will be showed at the York County Fall Livestock Show on September 8th & 9th. To wrap up the summer events and celebrate all that our youth accomplished, we will be hosted a York County 4-H Awards Banquet. We enjoyed recognizing all the youth who spent time with us this year.
September 1st kicked off the 2023-2024 4-H Year and 4-H is continuing to grow. We have 11 active 4-H clubs with 6 more planned to pick up in the next two months. We will have 10 schools offering afterschool 4-H clubs this school year and many more participating in our 4-H Embryology, School Gardening, and Ecosystems projects. 14 youth were just named York County 4-H Project Ambassadors and we have 13 State 4-H Ambassadors this year from York County. Our programs would not be possible without our amazing volunteers. We conducted volunteer training in August and trained 22 volunteers for the 2023-2024 4-H year. Our kids are excited and motivated to do more for their community and our volunteers are prepared to support their efforts. I am so thankful for the energy and excitement that these 4-Hers are receiving from their community.
The Spirit of 4-H Award is a South Carolina 4-H honor recognizing an outstanding individual based off their ability to exemplify the four Hs: Head, Heart, Health, and Hands. Criteria that are used to select the recipient each year includes impact in the community, impact on the 4-H program, program responsibility, level of involvement in the county program, and level of involvement in the state program. I’m so excited to announce that Riley Cotton from the York County Happy Hooves 4-H Club was selected as this year’s Spirit of 4-H Award Winner. She truly deserves this recognition for all that she has done for York County 4-H. Read her 4-H Story Below.
Riley Cotton: 2023 SC Spirit of 4-H Award Recipient As a member of their local 4-H horse club, Riley Cotton takes an active part in her club meetings, serving as the secretary. She has participated in many counties and statewide events. Riley has shown in the State 4-H Horse Show for many years and competes in Hippology. Riley volunteers at a local therapeutic riding center and helps with their annual Special Olympics team. She’s supported their local 4-H program by obtaining sponsorships for their county livestock shows. Riley gives back to their community and helps whenever she can. Riley possesses leadership qualities that are easily seen by those around her. She is passionate about 4-H and wants to see everyone succeed. She is a role model for the younger 4-Hers in our county and loves to share her passion for agriculture with the community. Riley has been a huge part of the success of 4-H in York County. Congratulations on being this year’s South Carolina Spirit of 4-H Award Winner.
Community Service
Our community service projects encompass the 4-H pledge to better our ‘community, country, and world’. Whenever you come to a York County 4-H Event, remember to bring ONE of the following:
A Canned Good for local Food Pantries & Blessing Boxes
A Soda or Soup Can Tab for the Ronald McDonald House
A Dollar for the Samaritan’s Purse: Animals, Agriculture & Livelihoods Projects
All of our club leaders and volunteers can accept your donations and will ensure it is brought to the County Extension Office to be donated with the other items.
4-H Future Events
New 4-H Club Coming to York, SC: We will be starting a general 4-H club in York, SC. This club will have a youth lead business meeting at the beginning, an educational program in the middle, and small group project time at the end of each club meeting. We are inviting any youth who are interested to attend. We want to extend a special invitation to anyone who has been showing meat goats, poultry, or rabbits to use this opportunity to join a 4-H club. This club will meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM at the York County Clemson Extension office.
Spirit Night & Community Musicians Jam: We will be having monthly spirit nights at Towne Tavern in York on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. A percentage of the proceeds that night will be donated to our York County 4-H Program. We hope that you will come out and join us on October 17th from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. We are also inviting local musicians to come and enjoy time playing music together. If your child would be interested in playing with other musicians, please encourage them to bring their instrument.
Events: October 11th – 25th: South Carolina State Fair October 16th: York County 4-H Advisory Board Meeting October 21st: 4-H Day at the State Fair 4-H Members get in Free October 21st: HappyHooves 4-H Club Sponsored Horse Show & Clinics, Clover, SC
Registration Deadlines: October 1st: 4-H Membership with Free T-shirt November 1st – December 5th: York County 4-H & FFA Swine Project
Health Extension for Diabetes is now available in York County and has had several graduating cohorts in 2023. This diabetes self-management and support program is offered in-person or online for those with a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. During this program, participants learn about topics such as healthy eating with diabetes, the importance of physical activity, how to manage stress, and more to successfully self-managing their diabetes. For more information: https://clemson.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_07gV9gl3ZHOAohU
Clemson Extension Agent and SCNBFP Director Ben Boyles shares information about extension programming at the 2023 SC Farmer Resource Rodeo.
SC Farmer Resource Rodeo Connects Farmers and Resource Providers
The SC Farmer Resource Rodeo returned in 2023 as part of the annual South Carolina Local Food Summit. Sponsored by Clemson University Cooperative Extension’s South Carolina New and Beginning Farmer Program (SCNBFP), the rodeo showcased over 40 organizations that provide farmer support, including education and Extension staff, lenders, granting organizations, land and production resources, state and federal agencies, regulatory bodies, non-profit assistance and more. Participating farmers were able to learn about these organizations and connect one-on-one.
“We are so pleased to have had the opportunity to bring back the Resource Rodeo,” says Ben Boyles, SCNBFP director. “Farming can often seem like a solitary occupation, and farmers are not always aware of. The vast number of resources available to them,” he continued. “Through this event, we are not only able to introduce farmers to invaluable sources of assistance but give them the opportunity to connect directly with resource representatives.”
All Aboard! Agritourism Workshop Coming to York County Interested in adding an exciting revenue stream for your farm business? Agritourism might be for you! Hop aboard a charted bus as we learn all about agritourism trends and resources while touring 3 unique agritourism farms in York County, SC.
Topics will include on-farm sales, u-pick operations, tour logistics, hosting workshops and events, school tours, farm dinners, food sales, and more! Get your questions answered by experienced agritourism providers!
Workshop Tour Stops • Tatanka Bison Ranch • Black’s Peaches • Five Blossoms Farm
Thursday, September 28, 2023 | In-person | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM Meet at Clemson Extension – York County 120 N. Congress Street York, SC 29745 Workshop Contact: Ben Boyles http://boyles2@clemson.edu
SC New and Beginning Farmer Program Launches Level 3 Program
Now in its 13th year, the Clemson Extension SC New and Beginning Farmer Program (SCNBFP) has graduated over 500 new and aspiring farmers from its basic, beginning-level cohort program. The SCNBFP is excited to launch a new Advanced Level 3 Program in 2023 to offer a higher level of instruction for those who are still relatively new to farming but are looking to further their education in key areas of agribusiness and production. The SCNBFP Advanced Level 3 Program offers 20 full-day workshops and is designed so that qualified participants may choose whatever SCNBFP Advanced Workshops best suit their individual needs. These curated training events are the product of strategic collaborations within Clemson University as well as additional agricultural support organizations such as Soil & Water Conservations Districts, the Small Business Development Center, and farmer educators throughout the state.
“While our established core curriculum provides comprehensive training at a basic level, there is a need in South Carolina for continued new farmer education at a higher level,” says SCNBFP Director and York County Clemson Extension Agribusiness Agent Ben Boyles. “Our new Advanced Program provides a deeper dive into critical and/or niche topics appropriate for the experienced but still growing new farmer audience.”
The SCNBFP Advanced Level 3 Program runs from September 2023 through March 2024 with a series of full-day workshops hosted throughout the state, many at on-farm locations and several through online platforms. All workshops are also available on an individual basis to the general public not enrolled in the full program. More information about these workshops can be found here:
With the demand for beef up, more dairy producers are crossbreeding heifers or less productive cows with beef. With this shift and an increased interest in local grown beef, several livestock and 4-H agents are piloting a beef on dairy youth project to allow youth opportunities to grow and show these animals.
or a more in-depth overview for well owners, check out the new Be Well Informed Online Course. Here well owners are able to dive into three modules covering SC water resources, well maintenance, and water quality. This course is free for all and is self-paced! For more information and to sign up for the online course, 
