What legacy of this rich, natural and cultural heritage will we leave to future generations?

Clemson University personnel hope the answer will be protection of farm and forests and preservation of what is wild and beautiful in South Carolina, while enhancing the economic prosperity of our state.

Land owners have diverse needs, and public service programs must balance the dual goals of important parts of our heritage–forests, rivers, and farmland–while enhancing economic productivity.

Researchers are studying the impacts made by agriculture and timber production, as well as commercial development, industry, urban growth and golf courses.

William Gunnells, a major cotton producer in Anderson County, does his part to preserve the state’s natural resources by contributing to the state’s plastic container recycling program.

“I have been taking part in the recycling program for a number of years” says Gunnells. “Most of my pesticides come in returnable barrels or jugs, and the rest I recycle. I believe that anything that we can do to help the earth is what we should do.”

Thousands of farmers throughout South Carolina are now collecting and triple rinsing their containers for recycling, which greatly reduces the impact to the environment.
Environmental conservation in agriculture includes integrated pest management strategies. These methods maximize crop yields and grower profits, while reducing use of pesticides. IPM also reduces pesticide risk to school-aged children, the environment and education employees.

Brant Cromer, director of buildings and grounds for Anderson School District 5, said he believes IPM workshops and training manuals have made a significant difference.

"We're mostly using baits and gels, instead of spraying.  We've also installed weather stripping and caulking, and we've filled cracks and crevices to help keep pests out of school buildings."

Schools in the state are learning different ways to manage insect and weed problems while minimizing use of pesticides. This approach uses a variety of methods to reduce risks, including sanitation, structural modifications and careful use of least-toxic pesticides. Clemson specialists routinely inspect schools to make certain that pesticides are being used, stored and disposed of safely by school personnel. With support from the S.C. Department of Education, they identify problems and develop solutions to reduce risk to students, employees and the environment.

Researchers are evaluating new pesticide formulations, including growth inhibitors and naturally  occurring insecticides highly specific to targeted pests. Producing material on recognizing endangered species and ways to protect them from pesticides is a way regulatory policy is promoted through education programs.

Other researchers are studying the ways that housing developments, golf courses, agriculture and urban development can cause movement of fertilizers, pesticides and other contaminants into surface and ground waters. Experiments are being conducted to investigate the use of natural and artificial wetlands to remove and process these contaminants before they enter the state’s waterways.

Joe Martin of Central says preservation of water quality is an issue cattle farmers address on a routine basis.

“Fencing animals out of the streams is one of many ways for farmers to start,” he says. A new Clemson industrial-sized water trough in Pickens makes it easier to do this because the tank can be easily relocated later to prevent over-grazing.

“This project gave me some good ideas about maximizing pasture efficiency with a rotational grazing system,” agrees Ed Hutton, Jr. of Pickens.

His farm has established two stock water tanks already and plans to add a third.

Research is also being conducted to develop environmentally sensitive methods of controlling insects, weeds and diseases. New studies minimize the use of chemicals and soil disturbance and biological controls are also being used to slow the spread of fire ants.

Coastal ecology studies are tracking forest regeneration after natural and manufactured disturbances. These programs preserve the area's fragile ecosystems as commercial development continues along the state=s coast.  Balancing uses of our land and cost is being aided through statewide partnerships and regulatory exemptions for pesticides less toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms.

Scientists are also investigating innovative ways to contain and use .livestock waste, including applying manure as a fertilizer for pine plantations and agricultural fields. New developments in certification of turfgrass and seed are resulting in less need for fertilizer and pesticides.