PSA Budget Request Summary
Science. Service. Solutions.
Clemson's Public Service Commitment
As a land-grant university, Clemson is part of a national system created by the U.S. Congress to improve the quality of life for citizens in every state through teaching, research and outreach. The university’s statewide Public Service and Agriculture (PSA) network conducts research, outreach and regulatory programs that improve and protect economic prosperity and well-being for all South Carolina citizens. Clemson PSA programs develop and deliver impartial science-based information in five areas that align with the national land-grant university system and touch the life for every South Carolinian. Those areas are: agribusiness productivity and profitability; economic and community development; environmental conservation: food safety and nutrition; and youth development and families.
We are requesting the following state investments in the science needed for South Carolina to be competitive in 21st century agribusiness.
Recurring Requests
Rebuilding Ag and Natural Resources Programs — $1.3 million
Clemson University’s six Research and Education Centers (RECs) and campus-area farms provide science-based solutions that directly support South Carolina’s $42 billion agribusiness industry through research in crop production, disease and pest control, sensor-based irrigation and nutrient management, forest and wildlife management, and cost-effective food production. PSA funds provide facilities and basic operating structure that enable talented scientists and staff to secure grants and external funds. Expanding agribusiness in S.C. requires scientific advancement aimed at developing and deploying cutting-edge technologies to sustain the environment, increase efficiency and maximize on-farm income. This funding will provide core operational support to Clemson research that propels teams of scientists and Extension Agents to engineer innovative technologies that meet the needs of current and emerging farmers.
Rebuilding Statewide Extension Programs — $1.5 million
Funding shortfalls mean that 41-percent of South Carolina’s 46 county Cooperative Extension Offices must remain closed to constituent assistance at least part of each business day. Furthermore, Cooperative Extension Agent travel and operating dollars were reduced by 60-percent in 2008. The requested funds will allow Clemson Cooperative Extension to ensure it serves the needs of all the citizens of South Carolina regardless of county of residence during regular business hours, and will strengthen Cooperative Extension’s reach and impact by supporting critical hires in row crop, agronomy and livestock production; 4-H youth educational programming in forestry, wildlife management, water resources management, and equine and animal science; food safety staffing to meet new federal laws; forestry management, and invasive pest control; and wildlife and fisheries management, all critical to the continued prosperity and well-being of South Carolinians.
Water Resource Research, Management and Technology — $2.5 million
As the state's primary land-grant university, Clemson University is ideally positioned to lead a comprehensive science-based water resource research program to provide objective knowledge about the capacity of our rivers and aquifers. Clemson PSA has multiple statewide programs that address water quality in forested wetlands and efficient use of water for agriculture. Clemson faculty members work collaboratively across programs, technological platforms and colleges on crop irrigation systems, forested watershed management, water quality assessment, water treatment and data analysis and modeling of the state's water resources. In conjunction with on-going university programs and other state agencies, Clemson PSA will provide analytical capabilities, scientific and engineering expertise to conduct initial baseline assessments of the state’s river basins, support technical and educational components, develop solutions, and disseminate unbiased, research-based information to South Carolina citizens and key policy makers. The requested funding will be used to secure additional expertise and program support to unify the individual programs into a complete and integrated Water Resources Program that will provide tools and information to state and federal agency collaborators as they implement sound water-based policy making to ensure that South Carolina’s most vital natural resource is managed to meet the needs of future generations.
Nonrecurring Requests
T. Ed Garrison Arena Education/Conference Center — $10 million
The T. Ed Garrison Arena, near the Clemson campus, provides an exceptional event venue for livestock and equine events that draw participants and spectators from throughout the Southeast and increases the national reputation of South Carolina’s cattle, equine and other agriculture-based industries. The proposed center and facility improvements will attract more events to the arena and provide an excellent meeting and instructional facility and exhibition space that is not currently available in the upstate. This Conference Center will allow Clemson University PSA to recruit regional and national events as well as trade shows in the Horticultural, Small Animal, and Agriculture Equipment Industries, etc. This type of facility will allow us to expand our ability to have educational youth events for 4-H and FFA, and will serve the educational needs of the university as a venue for student-centered events and indoor experiential lab space. Specifically, the requested funds will be used to:
- $8 million: 30,000 sq. ft. climate controlled conference center and exhibition hall
- $2 million: 45,000 sq.ft. covered open-air livestock arena and schooling arena
Facility Renovation for Water Research — $7 million
The requested funding will allow Clemson PSA to renovate and upgrade Clemson University’s Environmental Toxicology (EnTox) Building to support an expanding team of water resources experts who will provide science-based data collection and analytical capabilities as described in Recurring Request 2 (Water Resource Research, Management and Technology). The 34,000-square foot building includes laboratory and meeting space and is an ideal near-campus location for research, monitoring, analysis, and technical instruction. Additionally, the landscape includes opportunities for research that correspond with community needs in managing polluted runoff affecting S.C. waterways. The building, if renovated, will serve to unify staff, conduct virtual meetings, on-site trainings, and webinars with partnering universities, and create capacity for more collaborative research supported by grants and private funding. Specifically, the requested funds will be used to:
- $5 million: Renovate EnTox Building
- $1.5 million: Laboratory Equipment
- $500,000: Field Equipment
Clemson Public Service Activities (PSA) include:
Experiment Station
Develops relevant, research-based knowledge for agriculture, forestry and natural resources to enhance economic development
Cooperative Extension Service
Transfers science-based information on agriculture, forestry and natural resources to commercial producers and land mangers, and individuals. Programs include agriculture, natural resources, food safety and nutrition, economic and community development, and 4-H youth development.
Livestock-Poultry Health and State Veterinarian
Serves as South Carolina’s animal health authority, administers the state meat and poultry inspection program, and operates the state veterinary diagnostic center for livestock and companion animals
Regulatory Services
Regulates the safe and legal use of pesticides, the quality of fertilizer and lime, the certification of seed purity and germination, the prevention and control of plant pests, and the certification of greenhouse and nursery plants as pest-free