The South Carolina Commissioner’s School for Agriculture was held last week. Here with me is Commissioner Hugh Weathers to talk about why there’s a summer camp connected with the Commissioner of Agriculture.
Yes, I was at Clemson University last week to met this year’s Commissioner’s School class.
Commissioner’s School is a career and leadership development summer program for high school students who are considering a career in agriculture, natural resources and life sciences.
- Three emphasis areas:
- Livestock Production
- Forestry & Natural Resources
- Plant Science
- Students have a rigorous schedule of academic sessions and laboratory research, including sessions like:
- Packaging dynamics
- Athletic turfgrass
- Precision ag
- Other activities:
- Industry Tours
- LaMaster Dairy Farm tour
- Fitness Challenge
- An Expert Panel including some SCDA staff
- An Etiquette Dinner
- A Farm to Table Dinner
- Discussion Meet
- A whitewater rafting trip
- Shooting sports
- A high percentage of students who attend this program end up enrolling at Clemson.
- All in all, this week is a great opportunity for students to explore what it would be like to work in or study agriculture.
- It’s critical that we motivate students to choose careers in agriculture.
Image courtesy Palmetto AgriBusiness Council