DATE:     10/6/98
CONTACT:  Tommy Gladden, (864) 656-3301
          Toni Pipkins, (803) 539-9403
WRITER:   Tom Lollis, (803) 284-3343

FFA/4-H Make Connection
For 1998 S.C. State Fair

     CLEMSON -- Visitors to the 1998 State Fair in Columbia Oct.
8-18 will see how 4-H and FFA are "Making The Connection" to
serve the youth of South Carolina. 
     "Both of these programs operate under the Clemson Extension
Service," said Tommy Gladden, state leader for Agricultural
Education, which directs the FFA program in schools across the
state.
     "We want everyone to know that both FFA and 4-H are more
than agricultural production. We help young people develop in
areas like leadership, citizenship, scholarship and a whole lot
more," he said.
     A display of 4-H and FFA activities will be set up in the
Canty Building at the State Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
daily. Clemson Extension personnel, state FFA and 4-H members and
members of the 4-H Leadership Centers staff will be on hand to
answer questions about the two youth programs.
     Gladden said 4,589 students at 110 South Carolina secondary
schools took part in FFA last year. Members won more than $50,000
in scholarships.
     Courses offered under FFA in 17 different areas ranged from
agricultural engineering and technology to turf and lawn
management and wildlife.
     More than 80,000 youths between the ages of 5 and 19
participated in 4-H activities last year, more than 47,000 took
part in school enrichment programs and more than 3,000 enjoyed
4-H camping programs, according to Deborah Thomason, Clemson
Extension family and youth development specialist. The 4-H
program is available in all 46 counties.
     Thomason said 4-H and FFA alumni are encouraged to visit the
fair exhibit and participate in an automated interview set up on
a computerized kiosk designed to record their 4-H and FFA career
highlights.
     Gladden said an aquarium will also be part of the exhibit.
It will be stocked with tilapia, one of the fish species gaining
in popularity with the aquaculture industry.
                                END