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Sparkleberry Country Fair
| Name | Howard J. van Dijk | | Situation | The Sparkleberry Country Fair at the Sandhill Research and Education Center in Northeast Richland County continues to be a bigger “country style” fair each year, for residents of the multi-county area. The country fair showcases Clemson University to the community. The Sparkleberry Fair is an education fund raising event for the local school district to support scholarships for local students to attend Clemson University. Last year the fair drew an estimated 24,000 residents who had the opportunity of learning about agriculture, past and present, and had the opportunity of learning about the many ways that Clemson University, and specifically Clemson University Extension Service, works for all the citizens of South Carolina. All five PSA Goals are represented during the Sparkleberry Country Fair.
| | Response | The Sparkleberry Country Fair Committee meets throughout the year to plan the fair and to organize the fund drive and the educational aspects of the fair. The planning committee is made up of 16 community people with help from a number of Clemson University folks like me. My task is to organize the agriculture educational displays and to locate additional exhibits that demonstrate agriculture in South Carolina. Those who attend the Saturday event are especially appreciative of the animal exhibits. Many of the families who come to the fair have young children who have not had the opportunity of seeing livestock up close. During the fair they have the opportunity of touching animals and to actually feed the animals. I remember a young fellow shouting to his Mom, “Oh, warm!” as he touched a fine Jersey milk cow. He had no idea that animals actually produced milk, that they are warm, and have a soft hide. Since farmers are taking time from their own work to drive to Columbia and to spend a whole day at the fair, it often takes a good bit of persuasion for them to commit to the event. Currently I have organized 26 exhibits and demonstrations for this year’s Sparkleberry Fair, scheduled for Saturday, April 24, 2004.
| | Impact | These mostly urban dwellers learn that food is produced by farmers, that food production is a scientific endeavor, and that animals are the source of our food. It also is an awakening for many to learn that we have farmers in South Carolina. Many think that food is manufactured in the grocery store or comes from overseas somewhere. This is an educational experience. This is the 9th year for the fair which has raised some $200,000 for local education and Clemson University scholarships. It has become especially important to demonstrate to the community the commitment that the University has made between the local community and the University, since part of the property has been sold for development purposes. The Sparkleberry Country Fair continues to get bigger each year and it is rewarding to participate on the planning committee to make this “Clemson Show” a success. It takes the cooperation of many people with much planning to make it a success and all participants are thanked by a grateful community.
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Last update10/5/2007
This website is maintained by Tiffany Rodgers.
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