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