The SC Grower Exchange Podcast

We have another great "Grower Spotlight" this month… Sarah is joined by coastal agent Brad Fowler to chat about Baxley Family Farms in Georgetown, SC. This multi-generational farm started out in row crops and over the years has added a cattle operation, vegetables and fruit, as well as a farm stand carrying their own goods and products from neighboring growers and makers. They have a mar...

“On today’s episode, we get a crop report from all around the midlands as well as an update from our upstate agents who fill us in on potential frost damage from the weekend. Cold weather has been a topic on several recent episodes, and we are not completely out of the woods yet in some areas of the state. Strawberries are, of course, a hot topic as we begin picking and opening stands to customers...

Andy joins today’s episode to share with us about a family-run farm in the upstate of South Carolina, Strawberry Hill. Run by the Cooley family,  Strawberry Hill, USA , is a diversified operation that offers peaches, strawberries, and other produce. This farm has 2 stands as well as a café to enjoy the fruits of their labor. In addition to being a retail/wholesale operation, they also offer agrito...

Our regularly scheduled crop updates from around the state are in today's episode! Hear from the Midlands, PeeDee, and Coastal regions of the state about what’s happening in the fields right now. It may not seem like much, but behind the scenes, things are getting busy! Justin tries to stump agents with his trivia question, and it appears we have some readers (and non-readers) amongst us. For...

We’re back for another Grower Spotlight. Zack joins Sarah to tell us about Hickory Bluff Berry Farm, located in Holly Hill, SC. Working with this farm from the start of his job in Extension, Zack has seen this farm grow and adapt as they’ve seen changes and opportunities. Not only do they grow berries, but an array of other vegetables, including 5 acres of Brussels sprouts! Adding crops, trying ne...

In our first update of 2026, Sarah, Rob, Zack and Anna Sara share a few grower meetings coming up. Psst: You can still register and take advantage of these yourself! Although there isn’t a ton of crops growing out in the field at this time of year, there are plenty of things happening behind the scenes. We chat a little about the recent cold weather and how crops are affected, and even get into so...

Welcome back and happy 2026! We're starting the new year off with some introductions. Two new agents have joined the commercial team since we last got together, so let's get to know them a bit.  Brad Fowler and Daniel Lyon join me to tell a little about themselves and how they ended up with Clemson Extension. Tune in to meet your newest agents!

On today’s episode, we get one final regional update for the year. Join Sarah, Justin, Rob and Anna Sara to hear what’s happening in the fields around the state. Rob shares information about calculating growing degree days and the importance of using that information to make decisions in spraying/managing crops. Justin tries to stump the agents with a (somewhat seasonal) trivia question, and every...

On today’s episode, we are joined by Jhessye Moore-Thomas from the (formerly) Climate Smart Program. She brings us our November “Grower Spotlight” which is Saxmore Farms in Dorchester County. Hear about the Smith Family, who have been farming in the area since the 50’s. They grow many crops and use sustainable practices on their 15-acre operation. In addition to growing crops, they are pillars of...

Join Sarah, Zack, and Andy for regional crop updates from across the state. Justin joins in to chat about this week’s “Timely Topic” which focuses on moving into cooler weather. The group discusses considerations for several crops, including strawberry, peach, and brassicas. To cover or not to cover? That is the question for strawberry growers this time of year. Tune in to hear some pros and cons...

On this episode, Justin and Brittney bring us another Grower Spotlight. Brittney tells us about Mcleod Farms, a multi-generational operation in McBee, SC. The farm, now run by Kemp and Spencer Mcleod, has been a family run farm since 1916. Since the beginning, peaches have been a major part of their operation, and they have since expanded into many more crops and even some agritourism. Tune in to...

On this episode, all we do is talk about how dry it is and how many diamondback moths are in the field…kidding, kidding! Although it sometimes feels like those are the only things going on, we actually did discuss a few more things happening around the state. Agents are on board for regional updates as well as a deeper discussion on “Strawberry Season”. Andy, Justin, and Zack tell us about the in-...

We’re doing things a little bit different around here, but hopefully that means you get even more out of this podcast! Join us as we revamp things and add some new segments that will allow us to take a deeper dive into things and maybe not repeat so much of what’s on the SC Grower Blog. One of the features that we have on both the blog and the podcast is our monthly ‘Grower Spotlight’. Each month,...

On today’s episode, we hear from agents around the state and discuss weather woes from the field. Excessive moisture is an issue for most of the state, making field conditions less than ideal for growers prepping fields for new plantings. Justin and Briana bring us this month’s Grower Spotlight. Tune in the hear about Walker Miller and The Happy Berry. We wrap things up with a “Dad Joke” from Zack...

In this month's deep dive, Rob Lasts chats with Horticulture Team Extension Associate, Lacy Barnette. They discuss topics including the Climate Smart Grant, the use of cover crops, reduced tillage, mulching, and the benefits of these practices for South Carolina fruit and vegetable production.

Today’s show comes to you from the comfort of our air-conditioned offices because it’s getting too hot for plants AND people out there! Agents give crop updates from around the state and discuss the heat and weather conditions. Combatting the heat can be a challenge, so we share a few things to consider when the temps are way up there. Justin and Anna Sara share a grower spotlight with us featurin...

For this deep dive, Justin Ballew and Kevin Burkett discuss the Farm Gate program. This annual survey collects data on specialty crop acreage and yield to help calculate the total economic value of the fruit and vegetable industry. Learn how data is collected, how the reports are utilized, and where to find them. www.clemson.edu/extension/agribusiness/resources/farmgate

On today’s episode, Zack, Anna Sara, Andy, Rob and Sarah share a brief crop report from across the state. Hot weather is the common theme, and the heat can bring issues to growers. We discuss some pests and diseases being seen, and also chat briefly about some pesticide considerations when the temperatures are on the rise. Make sure you check out the SC Grower Blog to see some of the photos we dis...

Agents Sarah, Rob and Anna Sara discuss what’s happening in the field and have a conversation about seasonal woes, including pest and disease issues. The group chats about some control measures the growers can take in order to reduce pathogen spread in fields as well as cover a few important points about correct identification and pest control. Anna Sara shares some facts about the critter lurking...

This week, the agents chat about the recent rainy weather and what that means for all the crops coming to market. The agents also get into a good conversation about orchard herbicides and give some great advice on a few products. We finish the episode highlighting JMac Farms.

In this month's deep dive, Zack Snipes chats with post-harvest handling specialist Dr. Karin Albornoz about her research projects.  They chat about how growers can prevent water loss in post-harvest handling, which will save them lots of money and preserve many of the nutritional benefits of the crop.  They specifically discuss leafy greens, red druplets in blackberries, and fresh-cut watermel...

The theme for the last few weeks has been “weather related issues”… From hail to heavy rains following dry conditions, the weather has been giving growers a hard time this season. Agents from across the state share field conditions and crop updates. Also, in this episode, we are joined by Dr. Tony Keinath, who shares some issues on a few crops that are starting to emerge following these heavy rain...

Rain, hail, heat…must mean summer is on the way. Warm temperatures bring all sorts of weather conditions to the field, and the agents are discussing some of the issues that have come from them. Excessive moisture has put an end to some strawberry production, while others are seeing a second flush in their season. Join the discussion on what the determining factors are in moving forward or moving o...

On this episode, Anna Sara interviews the newly retired Dr. Gilbert Miller. You may recognize him from a previous podcast, drip irrigation workshop or most notably, his work with watermelon research. Join us to learn about Dr. Miller’s career with Clemson as an agent and researcher spanning 45 years of service. Anna Sara chats with ‘Gilbert’ about his early career and the path that led him to this...

Agents from all regions of the state share a report from the field this week. We’ve said it before, but this time we mean it…Things are getting busy! Peaches are coming to harvest, strawberries are plentiful, and vegetables are ready… With the busy season comes plenty of opportunity for pest issues. Agents bring up issues that growers should be scouting for, and discuss the crazy weather some area...