Advanced Workshops

The advanced workshops outlined below provide opportunities for a deeper dive into relevant topics for the emerging farmer audience.  These workshops are offered on an à la carte basis and will held either in-person or online via Zoom.  In-person advanced workshops are $50 per person (includes lunch) and will be held at various locations across the state of South Carolina. Online advanced workshops will be held via Zoom and are $35 per person.  SCNBFP Class of 2024 cohort members can receive a discount on workshops using their assigned promo code.

These workshops will usually be between 4 and 6 hours in length.  Workshop descriptions and dates are below.  Workshop locations and times will be provided closer to the workshop date.  Advanced workshop dates and times are subject to change.

Registration Questions and Refunds
If you have a workshop logistic or content question please contact the workshop coordinator listed for each workshop (see below).  If you have a registration question or you can no longer attend a workshop that you have registered for please email Ben Boyles at boyles2@clemson.edu to request a refund.  Note: refunds can only be issued before the workshop registration deadline.

2025 Advanced Workshops

Conservation from the Ground Up Workshop

Thursday, March 6, 2025
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

In-Person Workshop Location
Aiken County Agricultural Services Conference Room
1555 Richland Ave East
Aiken, SC 29801

Explore a variety of conservation techniques recommended to farmers who prioritize environmental stewardship.

Topics include:

  • No-till cover crops
  • SC Farm Bureau programs for farmers
  • Soil Health With Dr. Gabe Kenne (USC)
  • 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
General Public Cost: $50.00, includes lunch (SCNBFP Class of 2024 Discount Available)
Deadline to register or request refund: TBD
Coordinator: Sonya Terry

Register >> (Coming Soon!)

Scaling your Farm Business for Wholesale Success Workshop

Thursday, March 13, 2025
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

In-Person Workshop Location
City Roots Farm

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
General Public Cost: $50.00, includes lunch (SCNBFP Class of 2024 Discount Available)
Deadline to register or request refund: TBD
Coordinator: Jim Johnson, SC SBDC

Register >> (Coming Soon!)

Climate-smart Practices for Forage and Livestock Systems Workshop

Thursday, March 20, 2025
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

In-Person Workshop Location
Edisto Research and Education Center
64 Research Street
Blackville, SC, 29817

This multidisciplinary workshop will focus on climate-smart management practices for forage-livestock systems aiming to enhance forage production and sustainability of operations.

Topics include forage production, animal nutrition, carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions related topics.

There will be hands-on demonstrations including:

  • Forage defoliation frequency and intensity and soil health
  • Nutrient cycling, litter decomposition and carbon sequestration
  • Forage field scouting and stand assessment

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in follow-up online educational sessions and one online course being released soon.

Prerequisite Knowledge: None
General Public Cost: $50.00, includes lunch (SCNBFP Class of 2024 Discount Available)
Deadline to register or request refund: TBD
Coordinator: Liliane Silva, Clemson Extension

Register >> (Coming Soon!)

Getting Out of Nature’s Way: Soil Health in Practice for Grazing and Vegetables Workshop

Thursday, March 27, 2025
9:30 AM - 2:30 PM

In Person Meeting Location
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
General Public Cost: $50.00 (SCNBFP Class of 2024 Discount Available)
Deadline to register or request refund: TBD
Coordinator: Kirsten Robertson

Register >> (Coming Soon!)

Farm Water Resource Management Workshop

Wednesday, April 2, 2025
9:30 AM - 3:30 PM

In-Person Location TBA

Prerequisite Knowledge: None
General Public Cost: $50.00 (SCNBFP Class of 2024 Discount Available)
Deadline to register or request refund: TBD
Coordinator: Katie Collins, Clemson Extension

Register >> (Coming Soon!)

Website Development & Analytics Workshop

Friday, April 11, 2025
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Online on Zoom

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.

Workshop Presenters
• Nancy Williamson, Carolina Web Design Services
• Bethany Funkhouser, Clemson Cooperative Extension

Prerequisite Knowledge: None
General Public Cost: $35.00 (SCNBFP Class of 2024 Discount Available)
Deadline to register or request refund: TBD
Note: You will be emailed a zoom link 2-3 days prior to the workshop.
Coordinator: Bethany Funkhouse, Clemson Extension

Register >> (Coming Soon!)

Aquaponics and Hydroponics: A New Way to Farm Workshop

Monday, April 14, 2025
Time TBD

In-Person Workshop Location TBD

Prerequisite Knowledge: None
General Public Cost: $50.00, includes lunch (SCNBFP Class of 2024 Discount Available)
Deadline to register or request refund: TBD
Coordinator: Lance Beecher, Clemson Extension

Register >> (Coming Soon!)

Labor Issues & Management for New and Beginning Farmers Workshop

Wednesday, April 23, 2025
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

In-Person Workshop Location
SC Farm Bureau Federation Building Main Conference Room
724 Knox Abbott Drive
Cayce, SC 29033

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
General Public Cost: $50.00 (SCNBFP Class of 2024 Discount Available)
Deadline to register or request refund: TBD
Coordinator: Kirby Player

Register >> (Coming Soon!)