News

South Carolina Department of Agriculture

Hugh Weathers, Commissioner
Monday, July 14, 2014

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Shuler, 803-917-4950, eshuler@scda.sc.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 14, 2014

COLUMBIA, S.C. – While many students are busy enjoying summer vacation, 37 high school
juniors and seniors are preparing for their futures at the South Carolina Commissioner’s School
for Agriculture. Students from South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia will attend this
summer academic program held July 19-25 at Clemson University.

Commissioner’s School provides students an inside look at various college majors and related
career options in agriculture and natural resources. Throughout the week, students take part in
academic projects, field tours and laboratory exercises, all while gaining skills in leadership and
professional development. Here are some of the hands-on activities:

• Stream Assessment Activity- Clemson Experimental Forest: July 20 from 12:45 p.m.-
  3:45 p.m.
• Beef Genetics Activity- Beef Farm July 21 from 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
• Organic Farm Tour: July 21 from 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Forestry Study- Clemson Experimental Forest: July 22 from 10 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
• Clemson Peach Farm Tour: July 22 from 10 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
• Athletic Turfgrass at Death Valley: July 24 from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

The program started in 2004 and has graduated over 350 students. The South Carolina
Commissioner’s School for Agriculture is a partnership between the South Carolina Department
of Agriculture (SCDA) and Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life
Sciences.

For more information or to schedule a visit to one of the above activities, contact SCDA’s
Elizabeth Shuler at 803-917-4950 or eshuler@scda.sc.gov, or Clemson University’s Katie Black
at 864-656-6662 or hulse@clemson.edu.