Heather Nix
Water Resource Agent
Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens, & Spartanburg Counties
Water Quality Issues: Last year, harmful algal blooms (HABs) were plentiful and had a record long season, with SCDES identifying blooms in major reservoirs from 4/30/25 (Lake Hartwell) to 11/24/25 (J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir). We responded to many related complaints, including one that involved the deaths of 24 adult cows on a farm with cyanotoxin-producing HABs. In response, we are working to have new tools and materials available to improve and streamline responses later this year. Existing tools include several fact sheets, articles, manuals, a pocket field guide, and an online class – all available online at https://www.clemson.edu/extension/hab/materials.html.
Drought Status: Reports of low water levels in ponds are increasing across the Upstate.
As of 2/19/26, all of Cherokee County is experiencing some level of drought (see map), including
D2 Severe (northern ~61%) and D3 Extreme (southern ~39%).
Visit the US Drought Monitor website for updated weekly reports (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap.aspx). Submitting a report is quick and easy – and helps inform drought status decisions – visit the Condition Monitoring Observations Report website to get started (https://droughtimpacts.unl.edu/Tools/ConditionMonitoringObservations.aspx)
One of the four H’s in 4-H stands for “Hands to Larger Service”. Spartanburg 4-H members, parents and volunteers stay busy serving our local community throughout the year.
Our youth have a sweet friendship with the residents at Restoration Senior Living. Teen Council can be found there several evenings throughout the year playing an exciting game of BINGO. A Gingerbread House competition has become an annual holiday tradition of our Homeschool Club. They bring the supplies, construct the houses on site, much to the residents’ enjoyment, and then the residents pick the winners! Other youth have planted a pollinator garden and enjoyed a “Slip and Slide” event to cool off during the summer months.
In addition to serving the older members of our community, Spartanburg 4-H collects hygiene supplies for the Miracle Hill Rescue Mission in Spartanburg. Our youth collect individual supplies and pack them into gallon-sized resealable bags and include an encouraging note to the recipients.
As the Spartanburg 4-H Agent, I get to observe this kindness, compassion, and generosity up close and am blown away by how eager our youth are to help their neighbors and keep their pledge to use their hands for larger service!
As the new Rural Health & Nutrition Agent, I have been working to build relationships with high priority communities in Spartanburg County as well as beginning to provide health and nutrition programming with organizations such as Spartanburg County Vocational Rehabilitation, Summit Hills Senior Living, and Project R.E.S.T.
Additionally, I have been training to facilitate three programs: Health Extension for Diabetes, Keys to Diabetes and Better Health and Growing Health. I have been meeting with organizations such as Spartanburg Regional Hospital System’s Diabetes Management program and Heart Wellness Program and P.A.L. to enhance program promotion and partnership as well as St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic for programming opportunities in 2026.
If interested, please call or email Margaret Estridge at 864.795.0101 or mbarest@Clemson.edu if interested in Health Extension for Diabetes, an 8-session series for those diagnosed with diabetes or Keys to Better Health and Diabetes, which is a one-hour health lesson for anyone interested in learning more.
I am excited to facilitate four sessions of Growing Health this year at the Spartanburg County Extension office alongside Horticulture Agent, Nicole Goodman. This free course teaches individuals about specific vegetables from seed to table and allows participants to take materials with them to grow their own veggies.
Eventbrite links: (all classes are from 10:00am-11:00am)
March: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-health-registration-1968262764914?aff=oddtdtcreator
April: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-health-registration-1967905867424?aff=oddtdtcreator
May: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-health-registration-1967928256390?aff=oddtdtcreator
July: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-health-registration-1967932867181?aff=oddtdtcreator
Haven Blackwell
4-H Youth & Development Agent
Cherokee County
The Cherokee Charter Academy 4-H Club continues to demonstrate what it truly means to pledge “hands to larger service.” Throughout this school year, members have actively participated in a variety of meaningful and educational experiences, including submitting entries to the fair, exploring the art and science of beekeeping, marching in local parades, and serving their community through hands-on projects.
One standout example of leadership came from 4-H’er Tristan Wilkinson, who took initiative by writing to his school’s administration to propose hosting a food drive and organizing a Thanksgiving meal for school families. Inspired by his idea, the administration partnered with the 4-H club to bring the vision to life. Together, they organized a food drive, packed bags of groceries for families in need, and prepared a Thanksgiving meal for those who may not have otherwise had one. We are incredibly proud of Tristan for his courage and leadership, and of the entire club for stepping up to serve in such a meaningful way.
The momentum doesn’t stop there. The Cherokee Charter Academy 4-H Club still has a full semester of exciting activities ahead. Members are looking forward to visiting the Gaffney Visitor’s Center, attending South Carolina 4-H Legislative Day, building birdhouses for a local senior home, going fishing, participating in a farm tour, and wrapping up the semester with a family picnic.
Through leadership, service, and hands-on learning, these 4-H’ers continue to grow as confident, capable young leaders in our community. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish next!
If you are interested in starting a 4-H club at your school, please contact Haven Blackwell at daynab@clemson.edu or (864) 649-8252 for more information.
For the first time since 2023, Spartanburg County proudly offered the Master Gardener Volunteer Training once again—and it would not have been possible without the dedication, curiosity, and generosity of our Master Gardener Volunteer community.
Between August and December 2025, fifteen enthusiastic students completed the 16-week training focused on growing better, healthier gardens. Coursework covered a wide range of topics, including lawn care, native plant identification, hands-on invasive plant removal, and soil health for a more bountiful harvest. Their commitment culminated in a rigorous four-hour final exam in early December, which they passed with flying colors, demonstrating both knowledge and determination.
Graduation, however, is just the beginning. Each new Master Gardener Volunteer now contributes 40 hours of educational service, sharing science-based gardening practices throughout the county. Many are already actively serving—offering lectures at local libraries, teaching garden club classes, introducing young visitors to the beauty of Hatcher Garden, or guiding community members during monthly workdays at St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic in downtown Spartanburg.
Our Master Gardener Volunteers are more than educators; they are stewards of growth, connection, and care. Through their service, they leave a lasting mark on Spartanburg County—one garden, one lesson, and one shared moment at a time.
The Pre-Registration for the 2026 Training is now online and can be found here
https://forms.gle/yku9i5QSp2SsNgFr8
Christopher LeMaster, Jr.
Area Livestock & Forage Agent
Cherokee, Spartanburg, & Union Counties
For the past three years, our regional spring and fall workshop series has brought together the livestock producers of Cherokee, Spartanburg, and Union counties. These sessions are designed to provide local producers with practical, science-based information to navigate an ever-changing industry. This spring, we are continuing that tradition on March 12 at 6:00 PM at the Institute of Innovation in Gaffney with a focused panel discussion on selling beef directly to consumers.
According to a Clemson Extension study, 47% of South Carolina livestock producers now sell at least some of their animals through direct-to-consumer methods. While the bare meat counter during the COVID-19 pandemic spiked local demand, this trend has held. Many producers have made direct sales an increasing part of their farm income.
While selling beef directly to the public can be a great way to add value to a farm, it comes with its own set of technical hurdles. From understanding carcass finishing to navigating South Carolina’s meat-handling regulations, there is a lot to consider before fattening the calf.
To help break down these complexities, we’ve assembled a panel of experts to provide an objective look at the process. Travis Howard of Knockout Butchery will join us to discuss the processor’s perspective, while specialists from Clemson Extension will provide insight into the economics, regulation, meat science, nutrition, and marketing involved in direct sales.
We also recognize that many of our local farms are truly family affairs. To support that dynamic, we’ve included a youth-focused educational track for the evening. While the adults participate in the panel, kids ages 15 and under will head to the Animal Science Lab for a hands-on livestock activity led by Clemson 4-H and Cherokee County FFA. It’s a great way to involve the next generation in our industry.
The evening will begin with a dinner, providing a chance for producers from across our three counties to connect and talk shop. Whether you are a seasoned producer or just considering your first direct sale, we hope you’ll join us for this regional workshop.
Institute of Innovation
175 Campus Way
Gaffney, SC
Once again Union 4-H had the opportunity to participate at The Grand American, in Orangeburg, SC. The Grand American is one of the nations largest wild racoon hunting competitions. This event has been held for over 50 years and is a mainstay in the competition hunting community. People from across the nation will come to meet old friends, purchase supplies from vendors, find a new puppy, talk with sales representatives, and of course compete. Over 20,000 visitors will enjoy the festivities over a two-day period, which is always the first weekend in January. What a way to kick off the new year. This is the third year Union 4-H has been invited to participate with it’s Forged in 4-H blacksmithing and shooting sports program. This is a great opportunity to promote 4-H, interact with kids and parents, and put Union 4-H’ers on display as they do blacksmithing demonstrations. These are long, and tiring days but they are also fun and extremely rewarding. It is a great way to get 4-H, Clemson Extension, and Union County in the public view in a positive way. We look forward to next years trip to The Grand American.
