Clemson University

The Primary Industry in SC Is Agriculture, With 25,000 Farms Across 4.7 Million Acres That Contributes Over $46 Billion to the State's Annual Economy and Provides Over 247,000 Jobs. Forestry Is Also an Important Economic Driver in SC, Contributing Over $21.2 Billion Annually. With Such Diverse Natural Resources Across the State, Tourism Is Also a Major Economic Force, Accounting for Expenditures of $24.4 Billion in 2019. the 5.1 Million People Living in SC Are Crucial to Maintaining the Quality of Life and Conservation of the Natural Beauty in SC, Particularly Youth, Since They Are Our Future Stewards of the State. the Livelihood and Quality of Life for SC Residents Is What Drives the Programming and Research Focuses for Clemson University and South Carolina State University (SC State). the Plan of Work Reflects Research and Extension Activities to Benefit Agribusiness, Communities, and Citizens of SC. Focus Areas Include Advancing the Competitiveness of the Agriculture and Forestry,economic Development, Safeguarding the Food Supply, Preserving Natural Resources, and Preparing the Younger Generations to Become Productive Citizens. Agrisystems Productivity and Profitability Clemson Extension 1. Increase the Adoption of Practices That Reduce Nuisance and Environmental Impacts Through Education in the Areas of Control of Odors and Vectors, Protection of Water Quality, Nutrient Management, Citing of Facilities, and Alternative Waste Handling Practices With an Emphasis on Confined Animal Production Facilities. 2. Emerging Tools and Practices to Increase Crop Production, Decrease Operating Costs, and Reduce Environmental Impacts for Specific Farm Conditions to Ensure Farm Profitability and Environmental Sustainability. Agribusiness and Community Development Clemson and SC State Extension 1. Provide Educational Programs Directed at Teaching Management Skills That Ensure Long-term Profitability and Sustainability for the Farm Business Such as Business Planning, Creative Problem Solving, Assessing Alternate Enterprise Combinations and Technologies for Profitability While Managing Market and Financial Risks and Maintaining the Integrity of the Environment. 2. Programs Will Focus on Providing Educational Opportunities That Address Current Issues and Industry Trends in Agriculture in the High Schools and Middle Schools Across the State to Prepare a Future Labor Force in Agriculture. 3. Programs Will Continue to Be Offered to Communities to Assist Farmers and Other Agriculturalists to Remain on the Cutting Edge of Technology and Business Skills. Environmental and Natural Resources Conservation Clemson Extension 1. Educational Programming to Address the Impacts of Land Use, and to Promote Best Management Practices (BMP'S) at All Levels of Land Ownership (private and Public). 2. Equine Traffic in SC, Which Is Estimated at 750,000 Horses Across the State, Poses a Fundamental Management Problem of Erosion Control the Prevention of Stream Sedimentation and Fecalcontamination of Surface Waters. Increased Knowledge About Wetland Ecosystems, Mankind's Impact on Water Quality and What Can Be Done to Ensure Proper Water Quality. 3. Wildlife and Wildlife-related Activities Contribute More Than $1.5 Billion Dollars Annually to the State's Economy. There Are 12.9 Million Acres of Forests in SC and Forestry an Economic Impact of $21 Billion Annually. We Will Provide Programming in These Areas to Sustain Forests and Waterways. 4. Water Impoundments, Ponds and Managed Wetlands Also Impact the Quality of Life in SC and Provide Habitat for Wildlife and Recreational Opportunities for Residents. Programs Aimed at Providing Landowners and Natural Resource Managers With the Tools, Information, and Economic Incentives to Maintain and Enhance Lands for Wildlife and Forestry Are Paramount. 5. the Environmental Horticulture (or "green") Industry Complex Includes Production Firms (nursery, Greenhouse, and Sod Producers), Horticultural Service Firms (landscape, Lawn, and Tree Care Professionals), Urban Foresters and Arborists, Private and Public Groun DS Workers, Landscape Pest Management Professionals, and Retail Garden Centers. We Will Address the Economic, Environmental, and Social Aspects of Environmental Horticulture to Help Clientele Increase Their Knowledge and Adoption of Practices in Various Areas of. Food Safety, Security, and Nutrition Clemson Extension 1. Continue to Offer Fsma Certifications on the Following: Fsma Preventive Controls for Human Food; Fsma Preventive Controls for Animal Food; Fsma Produce Safety Rule and Fsma Foreign Supplier Verification Programs. 2. Retail Food Safety Is Critical for the State of SC. Travel and Tourism and the Related Retail Food Service Industry Are SC'S Largest Economic Drivers. Training Retail Managers and Employees in Safe Food Handling Practices Are Key to Maintaining a Healthy Tourism Experience and to Repeat Visitors. Clemson and SC State Extension 1. We Are Well-positioned to Foster a Culture of Health Leveraging Partnerships With Public Health Sciences Researchers and Health Delivery Systems to Improve Health, Wellness, and Nutrition. 2. SC State Will Conduct Fsma Outreach and Education Training to Underserved Socially Disadvantaged Vegetable Producers Across the Six Regions. Youth and Family Development Clemson and SC State Extension 1. the SC 4-H Youth Development Program Will Work to Empower Youth to Become Healthy, Productive, and Contributing Members of Society. 2. Ag Innovation Scholars Program Will Address a Critical Workforce Need by Expanding Educational Opportunities to Students Interested in Pursuing and Completing a Baccalaureate Degree in Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Human Sciences. 3. the Helping Youth Pursue Excellence (HYPE) Program Will Increase the Postsecondary Completion Rate of Stud Ents in Underserved Communities. Multistate Extension Activities Clemson University Multi-state Programs 1. Southern Region Fruit Consortium: Collaborationbetween North Carolina State University, Clemson University and Institutions in Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, and Arkansas. 2. Tobacco, Apple and Strawberry Research With the University of Georgia and NC State. 3. the Regional Peach Initiative: Partnership Between SC and Georgia. 4. the Orchard Floor Management: Determine the Impact Ground Cover Manipulation Has on Wine Grape Vigor. 5. Regional Apple Initiative: Partnership Between SC, Georgia, and North Carolina.