Professional Improvement Tours – Thursday July 19

Educational opportunities await those attending the Professional Improvement Tours on Thursday, July 19. The South Carolina agents have developed a wide range of tour options for the day. Everyone should find a tour of interest. Some degree of walking will be a part of most tours. Keep in mind that on-farm tours may have uneven terrain and July is hot and humid in SC. Please prepare accordingly. Special clothing requirements are listed below as needed. Water and snacks will be provided on busses and lunches will be provided unless otherwise specified. Tours denoted with (H) are considered to be fully handicap accessible. Each tour has a $20 Tour Fee.

Tour 1: Sculpture, Horticulture and Mushrooms – This tour will travel north to Georgetown County to visit Brookgreen Gardens and Parsons Nursery.  Brookgreen Gardens (www.brookgreen.org) is a National Historic Landmark with the most significant collection of figurative sculpture in an outdoor setting by American artists in the world.  The family owned Parsons Nursery (www.parsonsnursery.com) is an industry leader in container plant production and plant distribution, servicing landscape professionals, retail garden centers, and landscape distributors throughout the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic states.  On the return trip to Charleston the tour will stop at Mepkin Abbey (www.mepkinabbey.org/) in Moncks Corner, SC.  See how this community of Trappist Monks cultivates white oyster mushrooms and supplies a wide range of restaurants and grocery stores in the Charleston area.  

Tour 3: Growing Green(s) in the Sandhills – South Carolina is the second largest producer of leafy brassica greens in the U.S., with the majority of that production centered in the Sandhills region of Lexington County.   This SARE sponsored tour will visit two premier vegetable growers; Walter P. Rawl & Sons, Inc. (www.rawl.net) and Clayton Rawl Farms, Inc. (www.rawlfarms.com).   Both of these mechanized, high-volume vegetable farms produce high-quality leafy brassica greens and a variety of other vegetables.  Tour participants will be exposed to various operations including harvesting, packing, shipping, and production of ‘ready-to-eat, fresh-cut’ products.  Additionally, successful IPM programs for caterpillar control, attracting beneficial insects, GAPs food safety programs/trace back, and other efforts to move existing systems towards sustainability will be featured.  (SARE Sponsored)products.   

Tour 5: Farming Pharmaceuticals, Swans & Irises and Vegetable Crops – Journey up to Sumter, SC, a city named for Revolutionary War General Thomas Sumter, known as “The Carolina Gamecock”, who resided in the area.  This tour will visit Garnay Inc., a company that harvests and dries the leaves from Ginkgo biloba trees grown on a 1200 acre plantation. The dried leaves are exported to extraction plants in Ireland and Germany where they are further processed to obtain the raw material used for the pharmaceutical Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761. Ginkgo is used primarily for memory enhancement and other conditions.  The next stop will be Swan Lake Iris Gardens in downtown Sumter.  The black waters of Swan Lake are dotted with colorful islands and abundant wildlife.  It is the only public park in the US to feature all eight swan species and is also home to some of the nation's most intensive plantings of Japanese iris, which bloom yearly from mid to late May through the beginning of June. The final stop will be to Flowers Farms, a large scale vegetable producer in Summerton, SC.

Tour 6: Tobacco Past & Present – Tobacco has been one of S.C.’s most important cash crops for 100 years.  And most of it is grown in the northeast corner of the state, an area known as the Pee Dee region.  This tour through tobacco country will feature current tobacco research at Clemson University’s Pee Dee Research and Education Center in Florence.  Later visit the SC Tobacco Museum and the Carolina Tobacco Exchange, both in Mullins.  Get an historical perspective at the L. W. Paul Living History Farm in Conway, SC. The Horry County Museum has recreated this "one horse family farm" of the early 1900's that will allow you to watch as well as participate in the daily farm activities of times gone by.   Another stop will be to an operating tobacco farm near Conway to see how farmers put today’s technology to use.

Tour 7:  Farming on The Ridge – Situated between the state capital, Columbia, and the Savannah River, the area known as “The Ridge” is steeped in history and rich in agricultural production.  Today it is also the heart of S.C.’s peach industry and was once a center of S.C. asparagus production, which waned after World War II with the exception of a few growers.  Visit Titan Farms in Ridge Spring, SC, one of the largest peach farms in North America.  Titan Farms is a diversified operation with a number of vegetable crops in addition to peaches.  Tour their operations which include growing, harvesting, cooling and grading, packing, and shipping.  Afterwards, the tour will continue to an innovative Saluda County livestock operation, and a 4th generation asparagus farm.

Tour 8: Gardens of Charleston – Tour around Charleston to visit several important gardens.  The first stop will be Hampton Park, the largest public park on the Charleston peninsula. This historic park is bordered by The Citadel to the west and boasts the most extensive floral displays of any park in the city.  Next, see the Carolina Yard Living Classroom Demonstration Garden at the Charleston Exchange Park (home of the Coastal Carolina Fair). It is a partnership between the Tri-County Master Gardener program, the Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium and Clemson University’s Carolina Clear Program.   Finally you will visit Cypress Gardens (www.cypressgardens.info), one of Charleston’s most historic and scenic gardens, where you can enjoy their butterfly house, swamp boat tours, walking trails and more!  (H)

Tour 9: Georgetown Plantations River Cruise - Step back two centuries into a majestic time when rice and indigo were South Carolina's leading cash crops, Georgetown was the wealthiest county in the nation, and the Swamp Fox, Francis Marion, roamed the black waters of the South Carolina Lowcountry.  All aboard Captain Rod's (www.lowcountrytours.com) 60 passenger vessel as he teaches you about the natural and cultural history of the Lower Pee Dee River and Winyah Bay, the third largest estuary system on the east coast.  Also see how humans have altered the waterscape on this leisurely boat ride through historical plantations, vast freshwater impoundments, and thousands of miles of hand dug canals and dykes.  As an added plus, you will be joined by a wetlands specialist who will discuss how the 200 year old impoundments are currently managed to create some of the most productive waterfowl hunting in the Atlantic flyway.

Tour 10: Pee Dee Gardens – Travel northeast of Charleston to see two unique gardens in SC’s Pee Dee region, a traditional row crops stronghold.  You will first visit Moore Farms and Garden (mooreplants.com), a horticulturally sophisticated, 30 acre botanical garden created from the vestiges of the Moore family tobacco farm.  The gardens surround the family’s private residence and are open only a couple of times each year.  This is a rare opportunity to tour the novel gardens, greenhouse and green roof.   After lunch in Lake City you will visit Pearl Fryar’s world-renowned topiary garden (www.pearlfryar.com), a three acre park of horticulture art in Bishopville, SC.  Featured in the acclaimed documentary A Man Named Pearl, come experience the man and his incredible living creations. 

Tour 11: Live Oaks, Sweet Tea and Muscadine Wine – It doesn’t get any more Southern than this!  Travel south to Wadmalaw Island for three unique experiences.  In the morning you will explore the ancient boughs of The Angel Oak (www.angeloaktree.org).  At more than 1,500 years old it is believed to be the oldest living thing east of the Rocky Mountains.  Then continue to the Charleston Tea Plantation (www.charlestonteaplantation.com), America’s only tea garden.  You will experience the 127 acre farm by trolley, allowing you an up close view of the 320 plus varieties of tea plants in cultivation.  You will also get to tour the tea processing facility where you will learn how tea goes from the field to the cup.  Finally, the tour will stop at Irvin-House vineyard (charlestonwine.com), a 48 acre muscadine grape vineyard and winery.  There you will have the opportunity to sample distinctively southern wines bottled on site.  (H)

Tour 14: Paddle the Edisto - The Edisto River is the United State's longest free-flowing blackwater river and encompasses twelve counties, including much of the Midlands and Lowcountry areas of South Carolina.  Blackwater” refers to the tannic acids from the trees and vegetation around the river. Quiet paddlers are often rewarded with sightings of wildlife such as egrets, great blue herons, or a variety of ducks.  The peaceful rate of flow makes the Edisto ideal for paddling enthusiasts of all skill levels. The tour will be guided by members of the Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Trail Commission.
(Dress appropriately including water shoes, a hat and sunscreen.  The river trip will be approximately 3 to 4 hours.  Guides will give brief instruction on canoeing and kayaking. Trip subject to change due to weather conditions.)

Tour 15: Cotton Bales and Peanut Shells – This tour will travel west from Charleston to the Palmetto Peanut buying station in Cameron, SC.  We will visit Haigler Farms, where tradition has given way to innovation, and vegetables and green peanuts are a part of the farm vocabulary. The next stop will be the Elloree Heritage Museum & Cultural Center (www.elloreemuseum.org) for an historical review of cotton production and use in S.C. and beyond.  Calhoun County has more irrigated crop land than any county in SC and we will see plenty of it in action.  We will stop at several farms along the way, some of which have been in the same family since the King’s Grant of colonial days. 

Tour 16: Lowcounty History and Beef Cattle – This tour will travel north to Georgetown County to visit Hobcaw Barony.  The 17,500-acre Hobcaw Barony (www.hobcawbarony.org) offers research opportunities for Clemson University faculty and students in an ecological reserve of forests, high-salinity marsh estuaries, and brackish and freshwater marshes. Hobcaw also offers visitors a chance to go back in time and see the history of waterfront living and plantation life.  The tour will continue to Front Street in the historic waterfront town of Georgetown.  Participants will explore Harborwalk and get an upfront view of commercial fishing and waterfront shops.  Returning to Charleston the tour will stop at Driftwood Plantation in Awendaw, S.C.  Driftwood Belted Galloways (www.driftwoodplantation.com) is devoted to raising quality, performance-tested beef cattle. The herd, consisting of approximately 200 head of registered Belted Galloways, grazes 300 acres of land abutting a salt marsh. The ultimate goal of the operation is to encourage industry acceptance of the Belted Galloway breed by emphasizing and enhancing its positive traits: calving ease, strong maternal traits, smaller frame scores, and greater natural immunity; and strong carcass traits like large ribeye area and high marbling scores.

Tour 17:  Pastured Livestock and Organic Grains – This tour will explore local food systems in Calhoun County.  The tour will visit Caw Caw Creek (cawcawcreek.com), a farm that produces gourmet, pastured pork. Heritage breed pigs are raised in what farm owner, Emile DeFelice, calls a 'managed wild setting.'  Tour participants will also see the grass-fed beef and pastured lamb operations of TruBlue Farms (www.trublufarms.com). Finally, learn how wheat, buckwheat, and field peas are produced organically on Tris Waystack’s farm. (SARE sponsored)

Tour 18: Johns Island Sustainable Agriculture Tour - The Lowcountry of South Carolina is home to a number of innovative Sustainable Agriculture operations. This full-day tour highlights a variety of vegetable and livestock producers in the Johns Island area. The tour begins at the Clemson Experimental Station that also hosts the Lowcountry Local First Incubator Farm. Next, the group will visit Jeremiah Farm and Goat Dairy, a three-acre residential farm producing vegetables, herbs, flowers, eggs, and certified goat milk. Following this farm will be Rosebank Farm, a 70+ acre diversified vegetable farm with large chicken tractors and farm stand. Legare Farms is a more than 100 acres of livestock, vegetables, sod, and agritourism. The last stop will be on Joseph Fields Farm, a Certified Organic farm with over 50 acres of diversified vegetables, a NRCS high tunnel, and hoop houses. (SARE sponsored)

Tour 19: Historic Charleston's Patriots & Pirates – This tour of Charleston will take you past the lovely homes along the Battery, 18th century Rainbow Row, magnificent public buildings and churches, and many other points of interest.  You will not only learn about her Revolutionary heroes but also about those infamous villains who preyed upon the city in the early 1700’s.  Included in this tour will be a visit to the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon where the British imprisoned Revolutionary leaders.  After your tour have lunch on your own at one of our fine restaurants and spend some time shopping and browsing in the Old City Market. (H)

Tour 20: The Civil War In Charleston & The Confederate Submarine, The Hunley – Begin your day with a tour of Charleston’s historic district rich in Civil War History.  As you travel streets filled with beautiful old homes, magnificent churches and public buildings your guide will bring to life Charleston's role in the War Between the States.  Included in the tour is a visit to the Confederate Submarine, H.L. Hunley.  On February 17, 1864 the H. L. Hunley sank to the bottom of the Atlantic after successfully sinking the Union warship, the Housatonic, becoming the first submarine to sink an enemy vessel.  On August 8, 2000 the Hunley was successfully raised.  Today you will have the opportunity to view this 19th century marvel.  After touring have lunch on your own and spend some time shopping and browsing in the Old City Market.

Tour 21: Coastal Plain Agriculture – Travel scenic back roads into the heart of the S.C. Lowcountry and visit Clemson University’s Edisto Research and Education Center in Blackville, SC.  Edisto REC (www.clemson.edu/public/rec/edisto/) encompasses 2,354 acres of prime agricultural land where Clemson researchers conduct a vast array of agricultural research, supporting S.C. farmers.  Innovative projects in watermelon, soybean, and beef cattle production will be featured.  The tour will continue to nearby Creek Plantation (creekplantation.com), a diversified beef cattle and cutting horse operation.  It consists of 14,000 acres with a 2200 head commercial beef operation plus horses and timber production.  Creek Plantation is famous for cutting horses and has hosted the services of outstanding trainers, including Larry Reeder, Bill Riddle, David Stewart and Phil Rapp. Creek's breeding program has produced numerous NCHA winners, including Splash of Gin, Wheeling Peppy, Miss Smooth Splash, Judge Tanquery, Shes Pretty Smooth, Gincoe and others. Creek has produced numerous winners by Tanquery Gin, an Equi-Stat All-Time Leading Cutting Sire. (Closed-toe shoes recommended.)

Tour 22: Charleston On Your Own – Explore historic downtown Charleston at your own pace.  You will be dropped-off at the Charleston Visitor Center on Meeting Street.  From there the prime attractions of the “Holy City” are within easy walking distance.  Directly across Meeting Street is America’s oldest museum, The Charleston Museum, founded in 1773.  Be transported back through time, viewing objects from ancient fossils and an enormous whale skeleton to elegant costumes and Civil War artifacts.  Follow Meeting Street down to the Old City Market; built in 1841, it features small shops, restaurants and a flea market with everything from produce to antiques. Hear the lilting dialect of Gullah ladies as they weave and sell handmade sweetgrass baskets.  Other attractions include the South Carolina Aquarium, Rainbow Row and The Battery, the outstanding fashion and antique shops of King Street, and numerous historic houses, churches and cemeteries.  Have lunch at your choice of world-class restaurants.  The helpful folks at the Visitor Center can help you make the most of your time.  Busses will depart the Visitor Center at regular intervals throughout the day for return trips to the Convention Center.

Tour 25: McClellanville Sustainable Agriculture Tour – The Lowcountry of South Carolina is home to a number of innovative Sustainable Agriculture operations. This full-day tour highlights a diverse range of agricultural businesses in the McClellanville area. The tour begins at Our Local Foods/Thornhill Farm, a Certified organic farm with free-range poultry, eggs, horticultural therapy garden, and farm store. Blue Pearl Blueberry/Muscadine Farm located a few miles from Thornhill operates as a naturally grown U-pick operation with agri-tourism events. The tour will connect with local fishermen at the McClellanville marina to learn more about the local fisheries. The final stop will be at Sweetbay Hydroponics, a state of the art farm and nursery utilizing the Nutrient Film Technique with computer controlled remote monitoring.  (SARE Sponsored)