I understand you were up in Clemson last week for the South Carolina Commissioner’s School for Agriculture. Let’s hear about it.

• I met some bright young people this week.
• Commissioner’s School is a career and leadership development summer program for high school students considering a career in agriculture, natural resources and life sciences.
• Students choose among 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 integrity and dynamics
  • Agritourism
  • Athletic turfgrass
  • Fisheries
  • A visit to LaMaster Dairy
  • A class on building hydroponics
  • A tour of Simpson Beef Cattle Farm
• Other activities:
  • Industry Tours
  • Discussion Meet
  • A course on Young Professionalism 101
  • A campus scavenger hunt
  • An Expert Panel including some SCDA staff
  • An Etiquette Dinner
  • A Farm to Table Dinner the last night of Commissioner’s School.
  • A whitewater rafting trip
  • Shooting sports
• A high percentage of students who attend this program end up enrolling at Clemson.