Clemson names Extension chief operating officer

Published: March 5, 2012

Steve Meadows image by: Clemson University

CLEMSON — Steve Meadows has been named chief operating officer of the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service. He has served Clemson Extension since 1989 and held positions as interim chief operating officer, associate dean of field operations, director of the Edisto Research and Education Center in Blackville, state livestock program coordinator and livestock agent.

“I’m honored to work with an outstanding team of Extension professionals who are committed to growing South Carolina’s largest industry: agriculture and forestry,” Meadows said. “Extension agents work to improve economic development across the state by taking Clemson research to commercial growers, small farmers, land managers, consumers and communities.”

Extension agents work with agricultural producers and Clemson scientists to identify critical issues; find solutions through research; and take practical, science-based information back to the agriculture, forestry and natural resources industry. Agribusiness contributes $34 billion and nearly 200,000 jobs to the state's economy.

Agents work with producers of the state’s main agricultural products: timber, landscape plants, corn, cotton, peanuts, soybeans, vegetables, melons, peaches and cattle. They also teach new and beginning farmers how to establish profitable businesses.

Through field days and on-farm demonstrations, Extension agents transfer knowledge to improve agricultural yield, quality and profits; add value to agricultural and forest products; reduce water and chemical usage; prevent damage from insects or disease; and protect water quality.  

“Steve Meadows has worked at every level of the organization and has built strong connections with growers and livestock producers, so he has an in-depth understanding of the challenges and growth opportunities for South Carolina agriculture,” said John Kelly, Clemson vice president for economic development.

Clemson Extension programs focus on eight areas: agricultural crops, economic and community development, food safety and nutrition, forestry and natural resources, horticulture, livestock and forages, water resources and 4-H youth development.

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Land-grant mission of Clemson University
Clemson University is part of a national system of land-grant universities that work with the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. This year is the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act that created land-grant universities to deliver practical education and support economic development in state agriculture and forestry industries. In addition to teaching students and conducting research, land-grant universities take science-based information to the public to meet critical needs. In South Carolina, Clemson and S.C. State are the land-grant universities.