Beginning Farmer Program Regional Workshop / Marion Barnes

You need food, water and cover 

The Clemson University Extension Service administers the South Carolina New and Beginning Farmer Program. In August of 2016 Clemson University and their Department of Agribusiness received a grant of $595,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to nurture the next generation of S.C. farmers. A part of their outreach program provides regional workshops, and the Colleton County Clemson Extension Office hosted a talk by Marion Barnes on pasture grass, hay production and developing wildlife plots.

            

Watch out for these pest critters

Clemson Extension’s Alta Mae Marvin introduced Marion Barnes as a Senior County Extension Agent, with long term tenure in Colleton County, distinguished by his knowledge on row crop farming, forages for livestock, and wildlife food plots. “If your hay field could talk it would tell you to get a soil sample test from the Clemson Extension,” said Barnes. “Each soil test is the best $6 value you can get today, and then you will know what elements to monitor in your pasture, hay field or food plots.”

Switching gears to the subject of wildlife food plots, Barnes shares that a multi-year management plan should be produced. “Do you want to attract game or non-game species,” said Barnes. “Wildlife habitat components include acreage, food, water and cover. We have a lot of small farm landowners in Colleton County so adjacent property habitats may influence wildlife use on your property. Keep some flexibility in your management plan since wildlife patterns can fluctuate.”

To read the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries about Clemson Extension click 2017 Colleton Advisory Meeting - 2016 Colleton Advisory Meeting - Pasture Grazing Workshop

To view past blog entries about Agribusiness in S.C. click on October Flooding - Hugh Weathers -  Tree Farm Lobby Day -  Benton's Peanuts - Fresh On The Menu

2018 Edisto Dolphin Slam - Reel Escape Lady Angler Wins

Angler Laura Addy wins the 2018 Edisto Dolphin Slam

 with husband Bryan holding fish

Landon Siegler from the Hot Jelly,
with 2nd place 20.3-pound mahi

The weather forecast held true and a small window of warm weekend weather allowed for the first tournament of the saltwater fishing season. A fleet of 34 boats headed out for bluewater in the predawn morning of April 28 to find out if the dolphin were biting. This is the fifth year of the Marina at Edisto hosting this tournament, providing a steady early season date for local anglers to plan for, and attracting plenty of dockside onlookers cheering on anglers weighing fish.

The heaviest dolphin weighed-in at 29.4-pounds, giving Team Reel Escape the 2018 Dolphin Slam title. Female angler Laura Addy added her lady luck to their crew of six anglers, reeling in the winning dolphin and claiming the Lady Angler honors too. Husband Bryan Addy and wife Laura are based in Batesburg, but keep their 30-foot Grady-White fishing boat down at Edisto, and their fishing season off to a great start by winning the $4080 first place prize. The lady angler prize is a new rod and reel combo, plus a gift certificate to the ship’s store.

Second place went to angler Landon Seigler fishing on the Hot Jelly team with a dolphin weighing in at 20.3-pounds. Their fishing team went 6 for 11 on dolphin strikes and ended up with enough for fresh fish tacos all this coming week, and the second place prize money of $1360 will help Kevin Verbugge and crew get back offshore sooner rather than later. The third place mahi was 20.1-pounds, reeled in by Forest Morgan on the Half Chain boat, and good for $680 in prize money. The first place youth angler goes to 11-year old Drake Roberson for his 15.6-pound dolphin reeled in while fishing on the Double Shot with Capt. Charles Yeomans and his father Kevin Roberson.

Youth angler winner Drake Roberson,
with father Kevin and 15.6-pound mahi

To view the entire feature story in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries on Migratory dolphin off S.C. click 2016 - 2015- 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 - 2007

To view past blog entries from 2018 at Edisto click on Grits Cook Off 

To view past blog entries from 2017 at Edisto click on Edisto Music Festival - Lions Club Bingo - Business of the Year - Jim Bost Tourney - Summer Activities

To view past blog entries from 2016 at Edisto click on Jim Bost Memorial - Dolphin Slam - Cobia Tourney - Spring Shorebird Synergy - Bovine Bones on Beach - Edisto River book - 2016 Edisto Billfish Tourney