Cherokee County Extension Advisory Council

September 7, 2021

Amy Mallette, Cherokee County Administrative Assistant

The latest meeting of the Cherokee County Extension Advisory Council met on August 19th at the Cherokee County Administrative Building. Topics included an overview of the Census, a new agent, and the Duke Energy Site.

CUCES Upstate District Director George Dickert cited the Census and stated that South Carolina’s population grew to 5 million and becoming 24th in the country for population. Cherokee County alone increased 3.3% and revealed a high poverty rate within its borders. At this point, George mentions that the Cherokee office will be receiving an Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program or EFNEP agent. He or she will cover both Cherokee and York counties. Since Cherokee has a high poverty rate, an EFNEP agent will significantly impact Cherokee food assistance programs.

Heather Nix, Upstate Water Resources Agent, discussed several upcoming events in the water resource department. They are looking to add more free online courses, such as their dam maintenance course. They are bringing Be Well Informed to our state and will test private drinking water wells for bacteria. They also plan to tackle the cyanobacteria or blue algae problem plaguing upstate ponds by using a grant to teach preventative tactics.

Livestock & Forage Agent Chris LeMaster described various completed action items from previous meetings, including adding Extension to the Administrative website and collaborations to make Cherokee more family-oriented. One of those collaborations is with the Duke Energy Site. 4-H Agent Laura Haddon has already held many successful day camps at the Outdoor Classroom this summer. She and Chris reminded council members to join Duke Energy and Clemson Extension personnel for the ribbon cutting at the Duke Energy Site.

Members of the Cherokee County Extension Advisory Council listening to speaker, Chris LeMaster.

Along with summer camps, many 4-Hers participated in individual projects, including the Honeybee Project, collaborating with Jerry Smith, Cherokee County Bee Club’s president.

Laura announced that she and Chris applied for and received a $1000 grant. This grant will fund the transportation of every second grader in Cherokee County to attend Down on the Farm Day, an idea inspired by Loretta Holmes. This event will take place on April 1st, no joke.

Chris announced a few more upcoming events, including the 1st Cherokee Livestock Show. He listed a couple of locations that present great opportunities for family-oriented activities: Broad River Electric Auditorium and Duke Energy Site.

Frannie Stockwell, Cherokee Chamber of Commerce Director, offered to share her radio time with WZZQ and Hope Broadcasting to help spread the word of Extension.

To close the meeting, Andy Rollins, Upstate Commercial Fruit & Vegetable Agent, spoke about a proposed Peach Museum for the Upstate. He requested anyone that would like to contribute ideas, pictures, or information to contact him. Andy then gave a detailed demonstration of picking the perfect peach. He brought a variety of fruit to sample, including peaches, nectarines, and pluots. The sampling was a hit, and many members left with fruit.