2024-2025 Model State Program Assistant - Clemson University

Commodities

Practices

The MSP Assistant for Clemson University (1862) will be based at the Clemson University Pee Dee Research and Education Center in Florence, SC. The Assistant has eight years of experience with the Clemson Extension Service presenting programs on plant breeding to stakeholders statewide, organizing the Pee Dee REC Field Day, and meeting graphic design/communication needs for the REC. He completed his M.S. in Plant and Environmental Sciences in Spring 2020. Working closely with the 1862 state SARE coordinator, the Program Advisory Committee, and the newly hired 1890 MSP Assistant for SC State University, the 1862 Assistant will support and promote the SC SARE PDP program.

• Continue the existing strategic planning process for statewide sustainable agriculture development. Building on new and existing collaborations with stakeholder groups, the state co-coordinators will work with the MSP Assistant and with the SC SARE Advisory Committee to broaden the pool of stakeholders including under-represented groups who are involved with the planning process and the development of educational programs. As in previous years, an annual Open Forum will be organized the second week in January (in-person only, January 11, 2024 at the Clemson Sandhills Research and Education Center in Columbia, SC) to identify priorities and to plan educational programs based on stakeholder needs. In 2024 the SC SARE Program partnered with the SC Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program to host a joint Open Forum. This fostered collaboration between the two programs. We will continue to collaborate on training programs with stakeholder organizations and with SARE PDP personnel from neighboring states when appropriate. The comprehensive and inclusive planning process will limit duplication of effort and will help to leverage available resources.
  
  2024 Open Forum Minutes
  
  
• The SC SARE PDP Program will continue to organize and conduct in-service training opportunities for Extension agents, NRCS, FSA and state Department of Agriculture personnel, agricultural educators, and for other interested persons as space permits. Workshop topics will be determined annually regarding input from the program Advisory Committee during the annual Open Forum each January and/or through digital polls as needed. With a new Program Coordinator comes a new shift in program direction. For 2024-2025, the 1862 SC SARE Program will heavily prioritize trainings that have a strong hands-on, real-world component. The SC SARE Program will strongly support those trainings which lead to the establishment of demonstration plots to display the results of implementing sustainable ag practices. To a lesser extent, the program will continue to sponsor relevant trainings that do not included a hands-on component. The MSP Assistant, in consultation with the training's invited trainer, will have overall responsibility for workshop organization, publicity and evaluation. This on-going objective is a repeat from 2023 because new trainings are needed/requested annually and as new information is published.
  
  
• Continue to provide professional development opportunities for Extension agents, NRCS, FSA and state Department of Agriculture staff and other sustainable agriculture educators. To a far lesser extent than in previous years, limited travel scholarships will continue to be provided for select Extension agents and agricultural professionals to attend relevant trainings/conferences. These events represent valuable educational and networking opportunities for our agents and others in agriculture. This objective is a repeat from 2023 because conferences in 2024 will offer new information and opportunities for ag. professionals.