Annie’s Project seeks to provide the state’s female farmers the skills to succeed

Aimed at teaching women farm management skills in a relaxed setting, Annie’s Project is coming back to South Carolina for an eighth year to empower farm women to be better business partners through networks and by managing and organizing critical information. The four-day program offered by Clemson Cooperative Extension is set for May 14-17 in Hartsville.

Clemson natural resource scientists honored for research efforts

A pair of scientists working to foster wildlife and natural resources conservation in South Carolina and beyond have garnered recognition as this year’s top researchers in Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences. David Jachowski and John Rodgers, faculty members in the forestry and environmental conservation department, were recently named CAFLS Researchers of the Year.

Clemson researchers say South Carolina peaches suffered minimal damage from freeze

Clemson researchers report South Carolina peaches appear to have survived the recent cold snap, but growers shouldn’t let down their guard just yet.

To help South Carolina peach growers produce bountiful yields, the Peach Team and Cooperative Extension Service agents met with growers during the 2019 Ridge Peach Producers meeting to provide growers with the latest, research-based information.

South Carolina Botanical Garden Spring Plant Sales are April 5, 6 and 20

It’s almost spring and South Carolina residents planning to spruce up their gardens should look to the South Carolina Botanical Garden for just what they need. The Botanical Garden Spring 2019 Plant Sale will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 5, for Friends of the Garden and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays April 6 and 20, for the public.

Clemson announces Southern Heritage Crops Workshop

WEST COLUMBIA — The Clemson Cooperative Extension Service’s New and Beginning Farmer Program will host a workshop, Securing a Niche with Southern Heritage Crops, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, March 25 at the Phillips Market Center, 117 […]

Clemson Extension working to eliminate ‘food deserts’ through Feeding Innovation program

A report by the USDA revealed that more than 1 million low-income South Carolinians live in food deserts, areas more than one mile from a grocery store that have limited access to other outlets for fresh foods. Clemson Extension is working to address that crisis by partnering on the Feeding Innovation program, designed to support entrepreneurs interested in developing or expanding healthy food enterprises in underserved areas of the state.

Clemson college of agriculture names dean of research, Experiment Station director

Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences has named Paula Agudelo associate dean of research and Experiment Station director. Agudelo, a nematologist and professor of plant pathology in Clemson’s plant and environmental sciences department, was named to the position after a national search.

Clemson Extension workshops offer tools for farm transfer planning

Clemson Extension, in partnership with South Carolina Farm Bureau and support from a U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant through the Southern Extension Risk Management Education Center, will be holding a series of Farm Transfer Workshops across the state from February until April.

Clemson Bull Test graduates new class of cattle genetics

It may look like a typical cattle auction ring, but the bulls that passed through the 43rd annual Clemson University Bull Test sale were really under a gigantic microscope. More than 300 beef business professionals were examining 49 yearling bulls for the qualities they need to improve the genetics in the next generations of beef cattle in the Southeast.

Clemson researchers develop new online tool for managing plant diseases

CLEMSON – The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service has developed an innovative online tool that will help Extension agents and others identify and understand some of the most devastating plant diseases. Madeline Dowling, a post-doctoral researcher from Easley working with […]

Clemson Extension announces 2019 Forestry Focus program

Registration is open for a Clemson Cooperative Extension forestry program aimed at providing education for both landowners and professional foresters. On Saturday, March 9, the Newberry County Forestry Association will host its 17th biennial Forestry Focus program from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Piedmont Technical College’s Newberry County Campus, 1922 Wilson Road, Newberry.

Clemson experts advise peanut growers to adjust crops to meet low demand

SANTEE – The United States peanut market will remain in a holding pattern if producers don’t adjust to increasing yields, said experts at the 40thAnnual South Carolina Peanut Growers’ Meeting. Peanut production increased 39 percent, but demand only increased 10 […]

Industrial hemp production bodes well in South Carolina for first year

Industrial hemp production could be a viable crop alternative for South Carolina farmers, according to Clemson Cooperative Extension crop and agribusiness agents. Because this is a relatively new crop, there are still several steps to take before it enjoys perks such as labeled fungicides, herbicides and pesticides afforded traditional crops.

South Carolina cotton crop expected to rebound in 2019

SANTEE – Hurricanes, government shutdown and trade combined to create a tough year for South Carolina cotton farmers in 2018. But reports during the South Carolina Cotton Growers Annual Meeting held here Jan. 22 show  steps are being taken to […]

A conversation with Keith Belli, dean of Clemson’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences

Keith Belli was named dean of Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences Sept. 1, 2018.

Belli became dean of CAFLS shortly after the college was reorganized to include Cooperative Extension and the university’s six Research and Education Centers, collectively known as the Clemson Experiment Station. The goal of the reorganization is to put CAFLS on the same organizational footing as other top agricultural colleges and allow it to act even more efficiently and effectively in preparing students to become leaders in their chosen careers and in continuing to perform research and Extension that helps South Carolina citizens lead healthy and prosperous lives. The reorganization also gives CAFLS an integrated statewide footprint.

The following is an interview with Belli about opportunities and challenges the reorganization presents, his goals for CAFLS and his favorite movie.

Clemson announces 2019 Turf School

CLEMSON — Turfgrass professionals can learn the latest research-based information for turfgrass management during Clemson’s annual Turf School to be held at locations throughout South Carolina. The Turf School is a one-day course designed and conducted by Clemson University scientists […]

Clemson experts: Dipping roses in calcium before shipping may prolong their beauty

If the bouquet of roses you receive on Valentine’s Day are infected with the common Botrytis fungus, you won’t be able to enjoy them very long. Petals of roses stricken by the Botrytis fungus turn brown or tan, making them less beautiful and marketable. Clemson University researchers say dipping the flowers in a calcium solution before they are shipped can extend their beauty.

Clemson graduate student speaks at conference in Mexico

Gabriel Rennberger, a plant and environmental sciences graduate student at Clemson University, spoke at the International Congress on Plant Protection in Vegetables in Guadalajara, Mexico, Aug. 16-17. Over 100 people attended the International Congress on Plant Protection in Vegetables, organized […]

Clemson Extension partnering on Resource Rodeo for S.C. farmers

The Clemson Extension Agribusiness Team is partnering on an event aimed at offering a plethora of resources and programming to help South Carolina farmers succeed. The 2019 S.C. Farmer Resource Rodeo is set for Feb. 7 at the River Center at Saluda Shoals in Columbia.

Clemson’s Sandhill REC expanding research, educational programs

While the needs of the agriculture industry in South Carolina have changed significantly in the 92 years since the gates opened at the Sandhill Research and Education Center, its mission of meeting those needs has never wavered. Since it was established in 1926, its research efforts have evolved and expanded to continue to support the state’s $41.7 billion agribusiness industry.

Clemson seeks funding to keep SC farmers competitive nationally and globally

In a hearing before a House subcommittee Wednesday, Clemson Public Service and Agriculture and university officials requested state investments in programs and facilities to help conserve South Carolina’s water resources, keep its farmers nationally and internationally competitive, and support prosperous and healthy families.

Clemson sets 2019 S.C. Cotton, Peanut Meetings for Jan. 22, 24

SANTEE — Southeast farmers can learn tips to maximize profitability of cotton and peanut crops at meetings planned by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service this month. The annual South Carolina Cotton Growers Meeting will be 9 a.m. to 2:30 […]

Clemson officials increase areas of sweet potato weevil and Benghal dayflower quarantines

Clemson University’s Department of Plant Industry (DPI) has issued updated quarantine information related to two crop pests: sweet potato weevil and Benghal dayflower.

The agency expanded a longstanding quarantine due to sweet potato weevils in Charleston and Beaufort counties to include Jasper, Colleton and Berkeley counties.

The agency also increased an area of quarantine in Aiken County due to Benghal dayflower. The original quarantine was implemented in November 2016. The area now includes a section forming a triangle from north latitude 33.380, east to U.S. Highway 1, south to U.S. Highway 125 and north back to north latitude 33.380.