Applications are now open for the 2025 South Carolina Commissioner’s School for Agriculture.  Commissioner 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 the agricultural, natural resource and life science industries.
• This program has been ongoing for over 20 years
• Fun Facts:
  • Served over 700 students since 2004
  • 90% in state residents across 45 SC counties represented
  • 17 additional states represented
• 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 for each emphasis area. 
• 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.
• Takes place July 19-25.
• Applicants must currently be a high school student in 10th or 11th grade on track to enter 11th or 12th grade. Homeschooled students are eligible.
• The deadline to apply is March 13.
• To learn more and apply, click the link on the Clemson website.