Advanced Level 3 Program Course Description
The advanced workshops that are a part of the 2023-2024 Advanced Level 3 Program are listed below. In-person workshops will be held at various locations across the state of South Carolina and include lunch. Online workshops will be held through Zoom. Workshop locations and on-line registration links will be provided closer to the workshop date. Those enrolled in the Level 3 Program will be sent a link to register for workshops. Advanced workshop dates and specific content are subject to change.
2023-2024 Advanced Level 3 Program Workshops
Organic Production and Certification
Thursday, September 14, 2023 | In-person | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
South Carolina Crop Improvement Association Building
Clemson University Campus
Your GPS might use 191 Old Cherry Road or 191 West Cherry Road
Clemson, SC 29631
If you are contemplating organic production practices and/or certified organic, this is the workshop for you! We will start with an introduction to what organic is, walk you through the certification process, and show you organic production in action. A combination of lecture, discussion, and tour will be used to share information.
Prerequisite Knowledge: None
Deadline to register or request refund: September 7, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Coordinator: Matt Fischer, Clemson Extension, fische3@clemson.edu
Comprehensive Business Planning & Business Plan Development
Thursday, September 21, 2023 | Online via Zoom | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Turn your ideas and efforts into a roadmap for success! Gain an understanding of costs of starting and running a business: capital costs, cost of goods sold, overhead costs, and necessary profit. Understand the concept of positioning. Learn how to calculate costs, plan for profit, and develop a pricing strategy. Take your basic business concept and transform it into a comprehensive business plan using the University of Minnesota’s AgPlan business planning tool.
Prerequisite Knowledge: This workshop assumes that participants will have a basic understanding of financial management as well as a clear concept for your business.
Deadline to register or request refund: September 14, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Note: You will be emailed a zoom link 3 days prior to the workshop.
Coordinator: Bethany Funkhouser, Clemson Extension, bnf@clemson.edu
Opportunities in Agritourism
Thursday, September 28, 2023 | In-person | 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
York County, SC Farms TBD
Interested in adding an exciting revenue stream for your farm business? Learn all about agritourism trends, programs, and resources while exploring 3 agritourism venues in York County, South Carolina.
Prerequisite Knowledge: None
Deadline to register or request refund: September 21, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Coordinator: Ben Boyles, Clemson Extension, boyles2@clemson.edu
Farm Financial Management and Recordkeeping
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 | Online via Zoom | 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Understanding financial management and recordkeeping is crucial to responsible and profitable management of any farm business. This workshop focuses on advanced topics of farm financial management including everything from liquidity analysis to solvency analysis, and profitability analysis. Recordkeeping will also be covered with instruction on how to track your progress, plan for changes, budget, and find your business’s strengths and weaknesses.
Prerequisite Knowledge: This workshop assumes participants will be familiar with basic financial management tools such as income statement, profit & loss, and balance sheets.
Deadline to register or request refund: September 27, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Note: You will be emailed a zoom link 3 days prior to the workshop.
Coordinator: Will Culler, Clemson Extension, wculler@clemson.edu
Developing a Year-Round Operation Plan
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 | In-person | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Charleston Airport & Convention
3025 W. Montague Ave
North Charleston, SC 29418
Developing an operation plan is essential for any business, and planning production and marketing of agricultural products has unique challenges. A year-round planning program model will look different depending on production cycles. This workshop looks to engage all levels of production and various enterprises and will cover a wide array of planning components.
Prerequisite Knowledge: This workshop assumes basic understanding of the seasonality of production and marketing. Participants should be prepared by having knowledge of their own individual production needs.
Deadline to register or request refund: October 3, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Coordinator: Charley Maxwell, Clemson Extension, chmaxwe@clemson.edu
Enterprise Budgets and Profitability
Thursday, October 19, 2023 | Online via Zoom | Time TBD
Learn how to calculate your cost of production so you can price for a profit! Explore the concept of an enterprise budget including how they use costs, sales, and labor data to determine the profitability of your market channels. Learn how to use the Veggie and Livestock Compass Tools to predict the financial impact of different farm scenarios for the future and to assess your farm’s financial progress over time to locate efficiencies, set prices based on actual costs of production, and increase farm profits.
Prerequisite Knowledge: This workshop assumes that participants will have a basic understanding of financial management as well as a clear concept for your business.
Deadline to register or request refund: October 12, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Note: You will be emailed a zoom link 3 days prior to the workshop.
Coordinator: Matt Fischer, Clemson Extension, fische3@clemson.edu
Tax Management for Farm Businesses
Thursday, November 2, 2023 |Online via Zoom | Time TBD
Stay legal while leveraging tax laws to your best advantage by learning about advanced tax management specifically for farm businesses. This workshop will also cover the Schedule F form and you will learn who should file and go through step-by-step instructions for completion. Note: This workshop is for general educational purposes only. Participants are responsible for obtaining individual tax advice based upon their circumstances from their own independent professional advisors.
Prerequisite Knowledge: None
Deadline to register or request refund: October 26, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Note: You will be emailed a zoom link 3 days prior to the workshop.
Coordinator: Ben Boyles, Clemson Extension, boyles2@clemson.edu
Advanced Social Media and Web Presence Optimization
Thursday, November 9, 2023 | In-person | Time TBD
Pee Dee Region, Location TBD
Having an online presence is critical for all businesses, including farm businesses. During this training participants will learn techniques for best utilizing popular social media and other web-based platforms to gain exposure for and market their farm businesses and products. This training will also cover interpretation of web analytics for critical decision making, optimizing branding and online presence, and web-based marketing techniques.
Prerequisite Knowledge: This workshop assumes participants will have a general knowledge of social media use and basic website navigation. It will be to your benefit to have established at least one social media account.
Deadline to register or request refund: November 2, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Coordinator: Bethany Funkhouser, Clemson Extension, bnf@clemson.edu
Financial Assistance through Farm-Focused Grants
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 | Online via Zoom | Time TBD
Learn about specific funding opportunities relevant to new farmers and techniques for successfully applying to these programs! Learn how to determine your eligibility, planning and write your proposal, prepare supporting documentation including business plans, and what to do if you are awarded. This workshop will cover current Federal, State, and Local grant opportunities.
Prerequisite Knowledge: None
Deadline to register or request refund: November 7, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Note: You will be emailed a zoom link 3 days prior to the workshop.
Coordinator: Charley Maxwell, Clemson Extension, chmaxwe@clemson.edu
Land Acquisition, Transfer, and Stewardship
Tuesday, November 28, 2023 | In-person | Time TBD
Midlands Region, location TBD
What is common to all farms? Land. This in-depth workshop will feature a series of lectures from specialists on a variety of agribusiness and production topics related to your farm’s biggest investment. Participants can expect to learn how to access, finance, conserve, preserve, and make plans to transfer land to the next generation. Come with your current and future land goals in-mind (or written!) and learn about tools, practices, and assistance that can help you reach them.
Prerequisite Knowledge: None
Deadline to register or request refund: October 18, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Coordinator: Will Culler, Clemson Extension, wculler@clemson.edu
Website Development and Analytics
Tuesday, December 12, 2023 | In-person | Time TBD
Pee Dee Region, Location TBD
Websites are often the “front door” to your farm business. Having an online presence that reflects the quality of your products is critical in expanding your customer base. During this workshop you will learn about various website creation platforms as well as how to measure the effectiveness of your website and make improvements accordingly. You will have the opportunity to hear first-hand from farmers who have experience in developing and leveraging high quality websites to grow their bottom lines.
Prerequisite Knowledge: This workshop assumes participants will have a general knowledge of basic internet use and website navigation.
Deadline to register or request refund: December 5, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Coordinator: Bethany Funkhouser, Clemson Extension, bnf@clemson.edu
Scaling Up to Wholesale Markets
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 | In-person | Time TBD
Livingston Farms (Orangeburg County)
3371 Savannah Hwy
North, SC 29112
Get your farm business wholesale market ready! Learn about production and packaging needs, food safety considerations, and market access opportunities when selling your products through wholesale markets in South Carolina. This on-farm workshop will provide an opportunity to see the wholesale marketing process first-hand from a farmer who currently sells through wholesale market channels.
Prerequisite Knowledge: None
Deadline to register or request refund: January 17, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Coordinator: Jim Johnson, SC Small Business Development Center, JIMMYMJ@mailbox.sc.edu
Labor Issues & Personnel Management for the Small & Beginning Farm
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 | In-person | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Columbia, SC, Exact Location TBD
Managing labor and personnel for the agricultural producer is an ongoing challenge. Post-COVID dynamics have only increased the barriers and difficulties. Each agricultural production operation has its unique and specific personnel needs that must be addressed to ensure success. Engaging best practices and processes for identifying, attracting, hiring, and retaining employees can aid in creating a cohesive team that helps your agricultural operation thrive. This workshop will explore basic human resource actions, employee scope and scale (full-time/part-time/seasonal work), employee recruitment and retention, state and federal regulations, and lessons from successful ag-focused employers.
Prerequisite Knowledge: None
Deadline to register or request refund: January 31, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Coordinator: Dr. Kirby Player, Clemson University, kplayer@clemson.edu
Advanced IPM: Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation Strategies
Thursday, February 15 | In-person | Time TBD
Clemson University Coastal Research & Education Center
2700 Savannah Hwy
Charleston, SC 29414
Learn how to use a cutting edge advanced IPM (Integrated Pest Management) technique for reducing soil-born pests, especially nematodes. Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD) has been used in Asia and northern Europe for some time now but is slowly making its way into the Southeast region of the United States. With the loss of methyl bromide as a soil fumigant, this technique, that uses available sources of biologically derived carbon, is a promising strategy.
Prerequisite Knowledge: None
Deadline to register or request refund: February 8, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Coordinator: Dr. Dave Lamie, Clemson University, dlamie@clemson.edu
Good Agriculture Practices and FSMA Produce Safety Rule
Thursday, February 22, 2024 | In-person | Time TBD
Location TBD, Charleston County
Explore best practices in fruit and vegetable food safety on the farm! Participants will learn about Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs); how to develop a farm food safety plan; understand the GAP audit process through a mock audit. Participants will also learn about the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements and exemptions. Learn how to identify microbial risks, practices that reduce risks, and how to begin implementing produce safety practices on the farm.
Prerequisite Knowledge: None
Deadline to register or request refund: February 15, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Coordinator: Chad Carter, Clemson Extension, ctcarte@clemson.edu
Leaping into Creative Conservation: Issues and Techniques for Farmers
Thursday, February 29, 2024 | In-person | Time TBD
Aiken County, Exact Location TBD
Explore a variety of conservation techniques recommended to farmers who prioritize environmental stewardship. Topics include no-till cover crops, rotational grazing, and mobile irrigation. This on-farm workshop will include a hands-on demonstration of a grain drill, illustrating how this technique can help improve soil, increase profit and efficiency, while benefiting the environment.
Prerequisite Knowledge: None
Deadline to register or request refund: February 22, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Coordinator: Sonya Terry, Aiken County Soil & Water, aikensoilandwater@gmail.com
On-Farm Water Management
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 | In-person | 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Clemson University Edisto Research and Education Center
64 Research Road
Blackville, SC 29817
Water is a critical resource in all agriculture production. This workshop will present topics pertaining to on-farm utilization of groundwater and surface water. Discussions will include the best options for accessing the water source, specific water use systems on the farm, and conservation of water quantity and quality.
Prerequisite Knowledge: None
Deadline to register or request refund: February 28, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Coordinator: Becky Davis, Clemson Extension, rwllms@clemson.edu
Getting Out of Nature’s Way: Soil Health in Practice for Grazing and Vegetables
Thursday, March 14, 2024 | In-person | 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Augusta Road Ruritan Club
7788 Augusta Road
Piedmont, SC 29673
Learn soil health principles and dig deeper into the practices that increase soil health for both grazing and growing. Learn about four experiments that you can do on your own farm to determine soil health and bring home testing tools! Tour Pecan Dale Farmstead to see their regenerative grazing program and Farm in the Wildwood to learn about their intensive soil health focused market farming that includes a farm stand, agritourism, high tunnel, cover crops, intercropping, CSA, and restaurant sales.
Prerequisite Knowledge: None
Deadline to register or request refund: March 7, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Coordinator: Kirsten Robertson, Greenville County Soil and Water Conservation District, kirobertson@greenvillecounty.org
Advanced Soil Health: Alternative Crop Nutrition Sources and Bio-Stimulants
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 | In-person | Time TBD
Clemson University Coastal Research & Education Center
2700 Savannah Hwy
Charleston, SC 29414
This workshop will cover alternative sources of nutrition for crops. Learn about a wide range of alternative "solutions" coming on the market in response to increased costs of NPK (nitrogen/phosphorus/potassium) fertilizer inputs. The day includes discussion of research from University of Illinois and Clemson University, as well as efforts to create soil stimulants based on algae being produced in South Carolina. Workshop includes tour of algae producing facility on Kiawah Island.
Prerequisite Knowledge: None
Deadline to register or request refund: March 13, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Coordinator: Dr. Dave Lamie, Clemson University, dlamie@clemson.edu
Best Management Practices for Forage-Livestock Systems
Thursday, March 28, 2024 | In-person | Time TBD
Clemson University Edisto Research and Education Center
64 Research Road
Blackville, SC 29817
This multidisciplinary workshop will focus on best management practices for forage-livestock systems aiming to enhance forage production and quality, profitability, and sustainability of operations. Topics include soil fertility and health, forages establishment and management, economics, weed control, animal nutrition, greenhouse gas emissions, among others. There will be hands-on activities to help those in attendance to apply concepts learned in the classroom. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in follow-up online educational sessions.
Prerequisite Knowledge: None
Deadline to register or request refund: March 21, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Coordinator: Liliane Silva, Clemson Extension, lseveri@clemson.edu