The South Carolina Commissioner’s School for Agriculture was held last week at Clemson University. Commissioner Hugh Weathers joins me to talk about why it’s so important.

• 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.
• Three emphasis areas for students to choose among:
  • 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 agriculture and safety
  • Organic dry pea breeding
  • Forest operations
  • A tour of the meat science lab
  • A visit to LaMaster Dairy
• Other activities:
  • Industry Tours
  • Discussion Meet
  • 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.
• All in all, this week is a great opportunity for students to explore what it would be like to work in or study agriculture.