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Palmetto LEAF

2026 Class Cohort

Jacob Addison

Jacob Addison

Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation
Pesticide Registration Manager

Odessa Armstrong

Odessa Armstrong

USDA/NRCS 
Assistant State Conservationist for Partnership

April Atkinson

April Atkinson

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources 
Wildlife Biologist III & Project Leader/Webb Wildlife Center

Joe Barker

Jon Barker

South Carolina Forestry Commission
Assistant Unit Forester-Piedmont East Unit

Joel Feltman

Joel Feltman

American Forest Management  
Regional Technical Forester

Patrick Haddon

Patrick Haddon

Piedmont Environmental Services
COO, Piedmont Environmental Services Haddon Family Farms SC House Representative District 19

Toni Heriot

Toni Heriot

Clemson University Cooperative Extension
4H Youth Development Agent

Lauren Hood

Lauren Hood

Clemson University Agricultural Education Program
Graduate Research Assistant/Full-Time Ph.D. Student - Former Extension Agent

Jill Hurst

Jill Hurst

South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation 
Director of Ag in the Classroom

Holly Jewell

Holly Jewell

South Carolina Department of Agriculture 
Feed Control Official 

Barry Kesler

Barry Kesler

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Regional Wildlife Coordinator

Shannon Lowe

Shannon Lowe

LightBlueAg/Light Blue Farms (Self-employed)
Owner/Grower/AG Consultant

Mark McAlister

Mark McAlister

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center Assistant Project Leader 

Kinsley Miller

Kinsley Miller

SC Governor's School for Agriculture at John de la Howe
Director of Outreach

Carlos Morales

Carlos Morales

Agribond/Self-employed
Junior Agribusiness Development Consultant

Walt Morgan

Walt Morgan

Mishoe Insurance Agency LLC
Crop Insurance Agent

Justin Odom

Justin Odom

Charles Ingram Lumber Co.
Assistant Land Manager

Josh Reed

Joshua Reed

Marsh Hen Mill
Co-Owner | Executive VP of Sales & Marketing  

Asija Rice

Asija Rice

Center For Heirs' Property 
Project Forester

Matthew Rutter

Matthew Rutter

Project Victory Gardens
Executive Director

Mindy Sandifer

Mindy Sandifer

SC Agricultural Education State Staff-Clemson University
Associate State Director - SC Agricultural Education The Huckleberry Bay Barn, LLC - event venue

Meredith Snader

Meredith Snader

InspireAbilities of Anderson County
Director of Agriculture and Engagement

fran varacalli

Fran Varacalli

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Conservation Property Coordinator

becca Watson

Becca Watson

Coastal Conservation League (GrowFood Carolina)
Farm Outreach Manager for GrowFood Carolina

PLEAF Personnel and Staff

kirby player

Kirby Player

Clemson, SC
kplayer@clemson.edu
864-650-0932

Director Palmetto LEAF
Palmetto LEAF Website

Palmetto Leadership for the Environment, Agriculture and Forestry
Palmetto Leadership for the Environment, Agriculture and Forestry | 103 Poole Agricultural Center Clemson, SC 29634-0311