FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2005

Another Successful Summer for the South Carolina Commissioner’s School for Agriculture

CLEMSON, SC – Students from across South Carolina (and two from out-of-state) gathered at Clemson University for the 2005 South Carolina Commissioner’s School for Agriculture (SCCSA). These students participated in a week-long program that promotes the scientific world of agriculture and the career possibilities within agriculture and natural resources. This program began in 2004 and was modeled after similar programs at other land-grant institutions.

Students learned hands-on about academic areas such as Food Science, Packaging Science, Horticulture, Turfgrass, Animal Sciences, Aquaculture, Forestry and Natural Resources. The group also visited Duke Power’s World of Energy in Oconee County and went on a rafting trip down the Chattooga River.

The school is sponsored each year by Commissioner of Agriculture, Hugh Weathers, and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and hosted by the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson University. The school has received funding and/or donations from BI-LO, Duke Energy, SC Friends of Agriculture, Clemson’s Agricultural Alumni, the Cotton Board, the SC Ag Council as well as various Soil and Water Conservation organizations.

The students who participated in the 2005 program will reunite with the inaugural group in Columbia early next year. During this time they will tour South Carolina Department of Agriculture facilities as well as visit with State Legislators.

For more information or to become a sponsor contact, Katie Hulse, Coordinator of Student Relations and Recruitment at Clemson University, 864-656-6662, hulse@clemson.edu.