CLEMSON, SC – High school juniors and seniors from across South Carolina and the nation gathered at Clemson University for the 4th Annual South Carolina Commissioner’s School for Agriculture (SCCSA). This summer academic program is an intense, pre-college school that allows students a glimpse into the academic and career possibilities related to agriculture and natural resources.
This year, 32 students including six from out-of-state locations, were chosen to participate in this week-long program that promotes scientific exploration, academic integrity, teamwork, personal growth and leadership amongst the participants. The first SCCSA program was held in the summer of 2004 and was modeled after similar programs at other land-grant institutions including Pennsylvania State University and Virginia Tech. One of the missions of this school is to recruit students into these essential careers. This mission is evidently met with nearly 60% of the high school graduates attending Clemson in related areas of study.
Academic sessions included topics such as Organic Food, Apiculture, Greenhouse Production, Athletic Turfgrass Management, Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Packaging Science, Aquaculture, Forestry, Wildlife and Natural Resource Management. The group also traveled to visit the University Research Farms, Clemson Experimental Forest, Walhalla Fish Hatchery, and spent an afternoon rafting down the Chattooga River.
This academic program is conducted each year as a consortium between Commissioner Hugh E. Weathers and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture as well as the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson University. The school is fortunate to have supporting funds from the college as well as groups including the Advocates for Agriculture, Clemson Agricultural Alumni Association, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, as well as a number of county Soil and Water Conservation districts.
The students who participated in the 2007 program will reunite with state leaders in Columbia early next year. During this time, they will tour South Carolina Department of Agriculture facilities, local agribusinesses, and have an opportunity to sit in a general session with State Legislators.
For information about future SCCSA or providing financial support to this project, please contact Katie Hulse, (888)572-5433, hulse@clemson.edu.