Clemson names Andrae director of Edisto REC 

BLACKVILLE, S.C. – John Andrae was recently selected as the new director of the Edisto Research and Education Center (REC), following a national search. Andrae steps into the position during a period of significant growth and development at the facility, bringing a vision focused on consistent management, impactful research, and increased visibility.

Andrae, who previously served as the Clemson University Experiment Station associate director, brings valuable experience overseeing state capital projects. This background will be crucial as he takes charge of several key initiatives at Edisto REC.

“Currently, there are over $10 million in capital projects underway at Edisto REC,” said Experiment Station Director Paula Agudelo, who also serves as associate dean for research in Clemson’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS). “These projects are critical to our CAFLS mission, and Dr. Andrae is well-prepared to manage and prioritize these efforts to enhance our research capacity.”

Major Facility Improvements

One of the most significant projects involves improving and expanding the center’s lab facilities. The existing analytical labs, initially built in the mid-1980s, are being updated to meet modern research standards. The former educational Discovery Lab is being remodeled into a 1,500-square-foot wet lab designed primarily for plant pathology research. Additionally, plans for a new 4,500-square-foot analytical lab, estimated at $7 million, are in the final stages, awaiting approval to begin bidding.

Enhancing Graduate Student Resources

Recognizing the challenges posed by the center’s rural location, Andrae is also focusing on improving resources for graduate students. The former administration building is being converted into residential space, with construction on the $1 million project set to begin this fall. This will add 11 new bedrooms, helping to attract and retain graduate students. A new office area is also being completed, providing desk space for 16 graduate students and a conference room for virtual meetings with the main campus.

Expanding Research Capabilities

Under Andrae’s leadership, the Edisto REC is also expanding its field research capacity. A $1.2 million federally funded containment facility is being constructed to study the guava root-knot nematode, a pest affecting crops in the southeastern United States. This facility will enable controlled research on effective management strategies, including screening vegetable crop varieties for resistance.

The center also responds to growing interest in specialty crops by nearly doubling its vegetable research acreage. Current research focuses on watermelon, sweet corn, tomatoes, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes. This expansion is supported by a recent hire specializing in vegetable production and increased collaboration with the Clemson Coastal REC and the USDA National Vegetable Research Lab in Charleston.

Strategic Faculty Hires

Looking ahead, Andrae plans to bolster the center’s research and educational capabilities with strategic faculty hires. Three new positions are scheduled in precision agriculture and agricultural engineering, including a control and sensor engineer, a harvest mechanization expert, and a faculty member to interface with the Clemson University Center for Advanced Technology. Additionally, funding will be sought for an Extension livestock specialist focusing on beef nutrition research.

“This director position is a service role,” Andrae stated. “I’m here to listen to faculty and develop the best strategies for the REC’s future.”

With Andrae at the helm, the Edisto REC is poised to continue its growth, enhancing its research capacity, and strengthening its integration with Extension.