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Cooperative Extension: SC Women's Agricultural Network

About SCWAgN

The objectives of SC WAgN are

  • Empower women to be confident, strong stewards of the land
  • Provide unique opportunities for women in agriculture to expand their knowledge, expertise and experience in their role as agriculture producers, educators and professionals.
  • Encourage networking opportunities by building a community of women ranchers, farmers, landowners, professionals and educators.

Membership is open to any person supporting the mission and purpose of SC WAgN. The network is comprised of women farmers, agricultural professionals, agricultural educators and informed consumers committed to supporting and providing educational opportunities to women working in agriculture and ag-related businesses.

Clemson Cooperative Extension recognizes that there is a significant number of women actively involved in a variety of agriculture enterprises, forestry, and food production. Between 2012 and 2017 alone, South Carolina saw a 27.8% increase in female producers and a 56.9% increase in females as the principal producer on the farm.1 To best serve our diverse women in agriculture and forestry in South Carolina, Extension Director Dr. Thomas Dobbins and Sandhill REC Director Dr. Kathy Coleman, called on women across Clemson Cooperative Extension to come together for a unified approach in women-specific programming.

1. Perdue, S., Hamer, H. (2019). 2017 Census of Agriculture: South Carolina State and County Data (40th ed., Vol. 1, Geographic Area, p. 45) (United States, Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service). Washington, DC: United States Department of Agriculture.

South Carolina Women's Agricultural Network

Committee Members

charley Maxwell

Charlotte “Charley” Maxwell

Program Team: Agribusiness

Charley Maxwell is the Area Agribusiness Agent out of the Horry County office. She grew up in Virginia and earned a B.S. in Animal and Poultry Sciences with a Minor in Civic Agriculture and Food Systems and an M.S. in Agriculture and Life Sciences from Virginia Tech. Charley is passionate about all things agriculture and enjoys working with the SC WAgN Committee to offer a diverse range of programming for all producers and landowners!

Email Charlotte

For more details please view Charlotte's profile.

Kathy Coleman

Katherine “Kathy” Coleman, Ph.D.

Program Team: Agribusiness
Director of the Sandhill Research and Education Center

The SC WAgN Committee would not function as it does today without the leadership of Dr. Kathy Coleman and Dr. Tom Dobbins, who brought our group together in 2020. Kathy is an alumnus of Clemson University and earned her Ph.D. from Texas A&M. Today, Dr. Coleman serves as the Director of Sandhill Research and Education Center and works with the Office of Governmental Affairs. She is the 2023 recipient of the Roland P. Alston Sr. Award for Excellence in Public Relations. Kathy serves on the Saluda County School Board, volunteers with Palmetto Girls State and is heavily involved in several agriculture organizations that serve our state. When she isn't working or volunteering, you can find her on the family farm with beef cows, hay and timber or reading a good book!

Email Katherine

For more details please view Katherine's profile.

Sarah Scott

Sarah Scott

Program Team: Horticulture

After graduating from Clemson with a degree in horticulture I moved to NC and worked for extension there. My goal was always to move back home to Aiken County and luckily, I was able to take a job with Clemson Extension in 2018 that allowed me to do just that. In my current role as a commercial fruit and vegetable agent, I work primarily with commercial peach production in the area of South Carolina known as the Ridge as well as many other vegetable crops.

Email Sarah

For more details please view Sarah's profile.

Jaime Pohlman

Jaime Pohlman

Program Team: 4-H Youth Development and Natural Resources

Growing up in rural Ohio, agriculture has always been a huge part of my life. I received a B.S. in Agriculture Education from Clemson and a M.S. in Agriculture Education from Texas Tech. Working with Clemson Extension allows me to share my passion for agriculture and natural resources with youth and adult audiences.

Email Jaime

For more details please view Jaime's profile.

Janet Steele

Janet Steele

Program Team: Forestry and Natural Resources

I received a B.S. from Virginia Tech in Forestry and Wildlife, and a M.S. from Clemson University in Forest Resource Management. I began my forestry career in 1989 with the SC Forestry Commission as a county project forester in Orangeburg, before becoming a regional stewardship forester in Newberry and Walterboro. Following a move to York County, I worked for the Nation Ford Land Trust for 12 years. Before joining the Clemson Extension Forestry and Natural Resources Team in December 2018, I worked statewide with the Forestry Association of South Carolina as Director of Landowner Outreach, Forestry Education and Programs.

In my position as an Area Forestry and Wildlife Agent, I conduct site visits with landowners in my 6-county area, providing them assistance with recommendations for forestry and wildlife management, including timber harvesting, reforestation, insects and disease, non-native species, and habitat management. I also work with state Extension specialists and researchers to provide landowners with the most recent information on a range of topics through workshops and field tours. I co-founded the SC Women Owning Woodlands Network in 2019, served as 2022 Chair of the SC Tree Farm Committee and am a Past Chair of the SC Division of the Society of American Foresters. I am a registered forester in North Carolina and South Carolina, an ISA Certified Arborist, and a S.C. Prescribed Fire Manager.

Email Janet

For more details please view Janet's profile.

baile Floyd

Bailee Floyd

Program Team: Rural Health and Nutrition

Bailee Floyd serves as the Horry County Rural Health and Nutrition Agent for the Clemson Cooperative Extension Service. Originally from Aynor, SC, she learned the value of agriculture and nutrition from a very early age. Bailee started her college career at Coastal Carolina University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration. She earned her Master of Agricultural Education from Clemson University in 2023. Bailee is now pursuing her Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management with an emphasis in Nonprofit Leadership at Clemson University. Bailee implements Diabetes Care Education and the Mother’s Milk Bank of SC in Horry County. She is also a program coordinator for the MUSC Boeing Center for Children’s Wellness School-Based Wellness Initiative in Marion County.

Email Bailee

For more details please view Bailee's profile.

Emily sweet

Emily Sweatt

Program Team: Rural Health and Nutrition

Emily Sweatt is a 2020 graduate of Charleston Southern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health. She joined Clemson Extension in October of 2021 and serves as the Darlington County Rural Health and Nutrition Agent. In this role, she aims to promote healthy lifestyle changes through the delivery of wellness and chronic-disease management programs. She currently facilitates Know Diabetes By Heart, Health Extension for Diabetes, WalkSC and serves as the local program coordinator for the MUSC Boeing Center for Children’s Wellness School-Based Wellness Initiative. She is excited to be a part of the SC Women’s Agricultural Network and looks forward to connecting with women in agriculture across the state.

Email Emily

For more details please view Emily's profile.

Bethany Funkhouser

Bethany Funkhouser

Program Team: Agribusiness

Bethany Funkhouser is the Agribusiness Agent out of Darlington County. In this role, she works with local agribusinesses and beginning farmers. She grew up in Virginia where she spent her time in 4-H and FFA when she was younger. Bethany holds a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness from Virginia Tech. In her free time, Bethany enjoys painting and drawing.

Email Bethany

For more details please view Bethany's profile.

Lee Petitgout

Lee Petitgout

Program Team: Agricultural Education

I am the 5th generation to live on my family's dairy farm in Lowrys, SC. After graduating from Clemson, I began my career in Ag Education as an Agriculture agent with Georgia Cooperative Extension. Since my early days, I have enjoyed being employed by Clemson University's Forestry Department, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC), Chester County School District, & Nation Ford High School in Fort Mill. I currently serve as the Associate Director of Agricultural Education for South Carolina, where my most favorite part of my job is mentoring Agriculture teachers.

Email Lee

For more details please view Lee's profile.

Amber Starnes

Amber Starnes

Program Team: Livestock and Forages

Amber received her Bachelor’s in Arts in Biology from Coker College and her Master’s in Science in Animal Science from the University of Arkansas. She serves as an area Livestock and Forages agent in the upper Pee Dee Region and enjoys doing programs that cover all aspect of livestock production across multiple species.

Email Amber

For more details please view Amber's profile.

Freddricka Pressley

Freddricka Pressley

Program Team: 4-H Youth Development

Freddricka L. Pressley is a proud native of the Pee Dee Area. She is a twice graduate of Francis Marion University with a Bachelor of General Studies Degree with an emphasis in Educational Studies, a minor in History and collateral in English Literature, and a Master of Education Degree in Teaching and Learning. She joined Clemson Extension in February 2020 and serves as the Florence County 4-H Youth Development Agent. This role is responsible for working cooperatively with other county and state staff to plan, implement, maintain, and evaluate Extension education programs for county, region, and state for youth ages 5 to 18 years old. She strives to empower the youth of Florence County to be dynamic citizens in society and utilize the available resources around them, including the importance of agriculture.

Email Freddricka

For more details please view Freddricka's profile.

Hannah Mikell

Hannah Mikell

Program Team: Agronomic Crops

Hannah Mikell is the driving force behind agricultural innovation and growth in Clarendon and Williamsburg Counties! Hannah has over a decade of dedication as an Agronomy Agent at Clemson Extension as well as equal amount of time spent educating others on livestock, vegetable crops and general agriculture. Hannah is the go-to for the region’s row crop industry. Her expertise spans diverse crops like corn, cotton, soybeans, sorghum, tobacco, and peanuts, empowering farmers with cutting-edge insights into cover crops and irrigation techniques.

Email Hannah

For more details please view Hannah's profile.

Chase Baillie

Chase Baillie

Program Teams: Food Systems and Safety

I was born in Charlotte and spent my childhood coming to my grandparents home place in the "country". My grandfather was a WW II veteran, class of '44 Clemson Agriculture major and extension agent in Sumter county who inspired me to pursue a degree in the Agriculture world. I finished with a Master's in Agriculture Education and began a career in quality and food safety with experience in commercial poultry, inspections and consulting in retail food service, grocery and fast food. I have found a home with Clemson Extension as an Area Food Systems and Safety agent for Horry, Georgetown, and Florence counties. I love being part of food systems education and teaching adults and youth about food preservation, food waste prevention, and food safety. I live in Sumter next to my grandparents house with my husband Tommy, dog butters and newest addition peanut the grey and black striped kitty, who has the cutest spots on his belly.

Email Chase

For more details please view Chase's profile.

charley greenthaler

Charly Greenthaler

Program Team: Water Resources

Charly is a Regional Water Resources Agent covering ten counties in the Midlands area. She received her B.S. in Environmental and Natural Resources and her M.S. in Plant and Environmental Sciences, both from Clemson University. Charly has been with Clemson Extension for 9 years and works across multiple audiences to help better protect our SC water resources!

Email Charly

For more details please view Charly's profile.

marie bolt

Marie Bolt

Director of Events at T. Ed Garrison Arena & Expo Center

Mrs. Marie O. Bolt is the Director T. Ed Garrison Arena and Expo Center at Clemson University. Her primary responsibilities include event management, management of day-to-day operations, management of staff, oversight of budget, and promotion of the T. Ed Garrison Arena and Expo Center. Prior to that, she was the Development Liaison and Events Officer for Clemson Cooperative Extension Service. Before coming to Clemson University, she worked as a high school agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor. She holds a Masters of Agricultural Education from Clemson University and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Clemson University.

Marie served as a national volunteer with CommonGround; a group of farmers having conversations about the food we grow and produce with consumers. She received her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Clemson University in 2005. Marie also holds a master’s degree in Agricultural Education from Clemson University. Marie and her husband, Brian, have three children: John-Grady, Chat, and Audrey-Kate. They raise commercial cattle on their farm in Anderson, SC.

Email Marie

For more details please view Marie's profile.

South Carolina Women's Agricultural Network
South Carolina Women's Agricultural Network |