Clemson Extension Upstate District

ServSafe®

ServSafe National Restaurant Association

The ServSafe® food safety training uses material from the National Restaurant Association (NRA) and is taught by Clemson University Extension Agents who are Registered ServSafe Proctors and Certified ServSafe Instructors by the NRA. Permitted Retail Food Establishments (RFE) in South Carolina are required to have a least one Certified Food Protection Manager.

Need a class or to re-certify? Sign Up for a class!

Newberry County Office Updates

Alana West – Assistant Program Team Director SC 4-H Youth Development

Newberry County 4-H Hiring New Agent

For 13 years, Alana West served as 4-H Agent for Newberry County. Under her guidance, the program grew to reach 37% of youth aged 5 through 18 in the county. Opportunities have included programs in animals and agriculture, leadership, personal development, healthy living, STEM, and natural resources delivered via camps, workshops, school enrichment, clubs, and independent projects.

In March, Mrs. West accepted the position of Assistant Director of the South Carolina 4-H Youth Development Program. In this role she will work with state level staff to support the team of 4-H agents that represent South Carolina’s 46 counties. While she does have an office on the campus of Clemson University, she will keep her home office in the Newberry County Clemson Extension building.

Currently, Clemson Extension is in the process of hiring a new 4-H Agent. Interviews should take place soon with hopes of the program being back in full swing by Christmas.

In the meantime, there are a few 4-H volunteers keeping clubs running and statewide projects are still available for local youth. For more information on 4-H in Newberry County contact Alana West at 803.768.8442 or awillin@clemson.edu.

New Face at Newberry County Clemson Extension Office

When visiting the Newberry Extension Office please make sure to welcome the new Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Rachel Horne. Rachel is originally from Kinards, SC. She grew up on her family’s small farm and spent many years working for Satterwhite Farms. She has a degree in Diversified Agriculture from Piedmont Technical College and a bachelor’s degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Agribusiness. She most recently worked for Farm Bureau Insurance, but is excited to be coming back to her agriculture roots by working for Clemson Extension. Rachel currently resides in Pomaria with her husband, Parker.

Rachel can be reached at ryoung6@clemson.edu or 803.276.0191.

Time to Firewise your Home

Carolyn Dawson
Upstate Forestry Agent

Forest burning near a home

It’s that time again, folks, time to Firewise your home. In order to help prevent a wildfire from destroying your home, you must prepare ahead of time. If there is ever an active wildfire in your area, you may be asked to leave immediately and not have time to defend your home. If your home is in or near the woods, then it is at risk of a wildfire.

The Firewise Program provides homeowners and communities with simple and easy steps to help reduce a home’s vulnerability by preparing ahead of time for a wildfire.
These steps are rooted in principles based on solid fire science research into how homes ignite. The program is promoted by the SC Forestry Commission and Clemson Extension. Here are a few basic, simple steps to help protect your home

  • Clear leaves and other debris from gutters, eaves, porches and decks. This prevents embers from igniting your home. Leaf blowers can save you hours of time and labor!
  • Remove vegetation and items that could catch fire from around and under decks.
  • Remove flammable materials (firewood stacks, propane tanks, dry vegetation) within 30 feet of your home’s foundation and outbuildings, including garages and sheds. If it can catch fire, don’t let it touch your house, deck or porch.
  • Prune back any tree limbs overhanging or touching your home’s roof, deck, porches, driveway, or outbuildings.
  • Inspect the chimney and install a spark-arresting mesh screen if needed.
  • Keep all vegetation at least 10 feet from chimneys or stovepipes.
  • Remove or prune flammable plants and shrubs near windows.
  • Create a separation between trees, shrubs, and items that could catch fire, such as patio furniture, wood piles, swing sets, etc.
  • Cover exterior attic vents with metal wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch to prevent sparks from entering the home.
  • Enclose under-eave and soffit vents or screen with metal mesh to prevent ember entry.
  • Even though you don’t want to keep a garden hose attached to a spigot during the winter, make sure to keep it accessible if needed.

Although this list is far from complete, I’d like to personally add one extra bullet point to the list. Do you have a plan for your pets? Dogs can easily be led to the car, but what about cats and other small animals? What about farm animals such as chickens, goats, or horses?

So now that you know the steps to reduce the chance of home ignition from direct flame, firebrand showers, and radiant heat, there is one last thing to be mindful of, always safely dispose of fireplace ashes. Winds can reignite ashes and coals left on the ground days later. Firewise recommendations can help establish an effective line of defense in regions where fire is a potential hazard. Will you…your home be ready? Be Firewise!

For more information about the Firewise program, please visit www.firewise.org/usa or contact Carolyn Dawson, Upstate Forestry Agent Clemson Extension at Dawson4@clemson.edu .

Enriching Schools with 4-H

Haven Blackwell
4-H Agent
Cherokee County

A new school year means new learning opportunities! This year, Cherokee County 4-H wants to enrich schools with positive agricultural learning experiences.

             We will offer our popular Caterpillar to Butterfly Project to all kindergarten teachers! Students make predictions and observations during this project and love seeing the physical changes made each day.

            For first grade teachers, we will offer a series of healthy lifestyles lessons where students will learn where their food comes from and what components are in that food that make it healthy. And let’s not forget the best part… taste tests!

Cherokee County second graders attending Down on the Farm Day
Cherokee County second graders attending Down on the Farm Day

Second graders will take part in Down on the Farm Day. Our partnership with the Institute of Innovation allows students to take a field trip to us where they will rotate through six different stations and experience a different aspect of farming at each one.

Third grade teachers! We have an awesome opportunity for you! Please contact me to learn how you can sign up to get South Carolina Farm Bureau’s Ag. Learning Lab in route to you this school year!

Fourth graders will be offered a series of agriculture lessons taught by me, your 4-H agent!

AgMags are wonderful resources to teach your students about agriculture. Fifth grade teachers can receive a class set of AgMags each month beginning in November on a variety of topics. Think, “How It’s Made”, agriculture style.

Two stendents participate in STEM activities

Last but certainly not least, embryology! Chick embryology is a fan favorite! Students enjoy incubating and hatching chicken eggs and caring for the chicks after hatching. Along with this hands-on experience, teachers will also receive very detailed curriculum to guide them through each day of the process with their students, making this an awesome learning experience for all! This program will be offered to any school librarian in Cherokee County (elementary, middle, and high school).

Aside from school enrichment, Cherokee County 4-H has many other opportunities to get involved in such as community cubs, independent projects, statewide events, and livestock shows. Please contact me if you are interested in getting your youth involved!

Moving Forward by Looking Back In 4-H

Mark Cathcart, Union County 4-H Agent

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.

Fumigating Strawberries Safely and Effectively

Fumigation lines being run throughout a strawberry field.

Andy Rollins, the Commercial Horticulture Agent for the Upstate, has been working on a project to help growers fumigate the soil more safely and effectively.  This process will help treat and prevent soil-borne diseases and nematodes. In the past growers have used shank type fumigation that involves pulling a plastic bedding machine that has injection shanks in the middle of the bed.  The fumigant is carried on the tractor also and is run through shanks.  Using this method the machine is picked up and put down at the end of every row and lifted in the air.  Workers on the ground assisting are often exposed to fumigant vapors from dripping lines.  Andy is showing growers how to put the gas into the drip system to allow the water to distribute it more efficiently.  This is a closed system with much less exposure for all. Andy has done on-farm demonstrations three times already this year and has three more planned. At Andy’s last demonstration meeting in August growers from at least three states gathered to learn this technique.

York County 4-H sees tremendous growth and enthusiasm in 2024

It’s been an exciting and busy few months for York County 4-H, and we’re thrilled to share some of the incredible milestones, achievements, and upcoming events that have kept our 4-H family thriving.

A Look Back: Achievements and Milestones

Over the past six months, York County 4-H has seen tremendous growth and enthusiasm, with over 500 registered members taking part in various projects and events that span our five program areas: STEM, Agriculture, Healthy Lifestyles, Civic Engagement, and Natural Resources. Here are just a few highlights from recent months:

Summer Camps: Fun, Learning, and Adventure

This past summer, York County 4-H offered a variety of engaging and educational summer camps that provided youth with opportunities to explore new interests, build friendships, and develop important life skills. From agriculture-focused camps, where participants learned hands-on about animal care and gardening, to STEM camps that sparked creativity and problem-solving, there was something for everyone. One of the highlights was our outdoor adventure camp, where youth enjoyed fishing, team-building activities, and learning about natural resources. These camps not only helped 4-H’ers gain knowledge but also created lasting memories and fostered a love for learning in a fun and supportive environment. We can’t wait to see what next summer holds!

York County 4-H Banquet

On August 29th, we gathered at 145 Blackburn St. in York, SC, for the 2024 York County 4-H Banquet. This event celebrated the dedication and achievements of our 4-H’ers, with 177 awards presented to members who excelled in their respective projects. A total of 75 youth were recognized for their outstanding efforts, and we had the honor of hearing from McKenna Johnson, a York County 4-H Alumna who is now studying at Clemson University. She inspired everyone in attendance by sharing her 4-H journey and the impact it had on her life. We also heard from Gavin Lewis, our 2023-2024 Teen Council President, who reflected on the past year and looked forward to the bright future ahead for York County 4-H. 

Multi-Species Showmanship Clinic and Supreme Showman Contest

This summer, York County 4-H hosted a Multi-Species Showmanship Clinic, providing our youth with hands-on training in showing a variety of animals, including cattle, goats, poultry, and swine. Participants had the chance to work with experienced mentors, learning the skills needed to handle and present different species in a competitive setting. This clinic culminated in the highly anticipated Supreme Showman Contest, where our talented 4-H’ers showcased their skills in front of judges, competing for the prestigious title of Supreme Showman. The contest not only tested their knowledge and abilities across multiple species but also demonstrated their dedication, hard work, and versatility as livestock exhibitors. This event proved to be one of the most challenging yet rewarding opportunities for our 4-H youth to demonstrate their mastery of showmanship and animal care. Congratulations to Senior 4-Her, Mattie Johnson, for being awarded this year’s Grand Champion in our Supreme Showman Contest.

Fall Livestock Show

The highly anticipated Fall Livestock Show was held on September 6th and 7th in Rock Hill. This event continues to be a highlight for our members who raise livestock, as well as a fantastic opportunity for the broader community to see firsthand the hard work our youth put into caring for their animals. Over 100 youth from all over the county gathered to show their livestock. Shows included Dairy Cattle, Dairy Goats, Horses, Poultry, and Meat Goats. We were honored to have the continued support of Councilman Tommy Adkins, who backed this event, and Councilwoman Christi Cox, who showed her support for the Dairy Goat project. These relationships between our 4-H members and local leaders demonstrate the strong ties we’ve built within the community.

Introducing the 4-H Bluegrass Project

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new 4-H Bluegrass Project, a unique opportunity for youth to dive into the world of Bluegrass music while developing leadership skills and a sense of community. This project has been a dream in the making for nearly two years, and we are excited to finally kick it off! Bluegrass music holds a special place in many of our lives, and through this project, we hope to share that passion with the next generation. Participants will not only learn to play and appreciate Bluegrass music but also gain valuable skills such as teamwork, confidence, and public speaking. The project will culminate in a trip to the SPBGMA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America) in Nashville, TN, where members will experience the heart of the Bluegrass community. This project is sure to be an unforgettable experience, combining music, leadership, and community service in true 4-H spirit!

Stay Tuned for More!

As we head into the fall, we encourage everyone to stay connected with York County 4-H through our newsletters and social media pages. With so many exciting projects, events, and opportunities on the horizon, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for our 4-H’ers. Whether it’s through leadership, community service, or showcasing their skills in competitions, York County 4-H youth are proving they have what it takes to succeed and make a positive impact.

Thank you to all of our volunteers, sponsors, and supporters for making these incredible experiences possible. Your dedication to York County 4-H helps ensure that we continue to “make the best better” for our community.

We look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming events!

Kristin Kunde

York County 4-H Agent
Cooperative Extension
Clemson University

120 N. Congress Street
York, SC 29745

803-639-9102
kkunde@clemson.edu

Clemson Extension Launches Small Scale Farming Series

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

Armyworms Invade Laurens County

Bryan Smith, Area Extension Agent-Agricultural Engineer

This fall a huge number of Fall Armyworms invaded Laurens County.  Fall Armyworms are usually in our county in some small number each year, but this year’s numbers created quite a bit of damage in landscapes, pastures, and hayfields.

Fall Armyworms migrate northward each year from the Gulf coast and may arrive in Laurens County as early as August.  There may be as many as three “waves” of armyworms each year depending on many factors.  The Fall Armyworm life cycle is typically 30 days in the summer, with the larval or caterpillar stage being the destructive one.  Fall Armyworms remain in the caterpillar stage for 14 days and are most destructive during the last 4 days of that stage.  They then pupate and emerge as moths, which feed on nectar from various flowers and are not destructive.

Fall Armyworms seem to prefer bermudagrass, crabgrass, johnsongrass, millet, and sorghums.  They will ignore other grasses such as fescue and bahia while sufficient quantities of their preferred foods are present.  However, if those food sources are exhausted before they pupate they will move to less desirable species and decimate them as well.  This happened in 1977 in Laurens County when Fall Armyworms killed entire pastures of fescue after they had eaten their preferred crops.

Rainfall does encourage the growth of fungi that are detrimental to Fall Armyworms, but it does not kill them.  Clemson Extension recommends that insecticides be used to control them when growers see 3 armyworms in a one square foot area.  If Fall Armyworms are found in a hay crop we recommend that the hay be harvested if it has enough growth to do so – Fall Armyworms eat green growth and will not eat cured hay.  Local Extension Offices can provide a list of insecticides labelled for use in lawns, pastures, or hay fields.

Fall Armyworm damage in a home lawn. Remaining green areas are fescue or bahia.
Fall Armyworm damage in a home lawn. Remaining green areas are fescue or bahia. Image credit: Bryan Smith

 

Water Resource Updates

Heather Nix
Upstate Water Resource Agent

Seasonal Pond ManagementNew Online Course! Seasonal Pond Management If you own or manage a freshwater pond, the Seasonal Pond Management course is for you! For $15, you’ll receive on-demand access to course materials for 365 days. The course focuses on actions throughout the year that can help maintain a healthy pond.

 

Water ChatsWater Chats Program

We are wrapping up another successful season of the Water Chats program with final sessions in September and a student-focused session in October. This partnership between Clemson Extension, S Sea Grant Consortium, and the SC Water Resources Center, has helped educate professionals across the state on a range of water quality issues and solutions.

Missed a webinar that you you wanted to see? Let us know (nix4@clemson.edu) and we’ll provide access to the recordings, when available.

Upcoming events: Please visit the Clemson Extension Events Calendar for information on various events.