COLUMBIA — For the first time in South Carolina, a workshop to help woodland owners and property managers learn about pesticide safety, herbicide applications and proper sprayer calibration will be offered by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service.
The workshop, Forest Herbicides and Sprayer Calibration, is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 15, in The Lake House at Clemson’s Sandhills Research and Education Center, with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Workshop organizer Ben Powell, Clemson Extension agent in Georgetown and Horry counties, said the workshop provides comprehensive forest herbicide training, along with an overview of pesticide safety, as well as information about application techniques, herbicide chemistries and formulations for use in forest management. .
“In the past, we’ve had workshops like this for people in production agriculture,” Powell said. “This workshop came about after some forest landowners and others suggested we hold herbicide and calibration training for people in the forestry industry.”
In addition to Powell, other experts involved in the training include Janet Steele, director of landowner outreach for the Forestry Association of South Carolina; Jeff Fellers, Clemson area Extension agent for Forestry and Natural Resources; and Jessica Rutland, South Carolina forestry territory manager for Crop Production Service’s Timerberland Division. In addition to classroom instruction, attendees also will get hands-on sprayer calibration training.
Seating is limited to 30 people. Cost is $20. This workshop qualifies for three pesticide credits. Register online at https://tinyurl.com/ClemsonWorkshop. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact Ben Powell at bpowel2@clemson.edu, or 843-546-4481 or 843-234-7716.
For anyone interested in this topic who cannot attend the Sept. 15 training, a series of woodland clinics will be held in October at three locations throughout the state. The October workshops, titled Woodland Management: Forest Health, are designed to educate participants about various forest health topics and will include information on forest herbicides and sprayer calibration in addition to managing overall forest health, forest pests and forest diseases.
Dates and locations for the October workshop are: Oct. 3, University Center of Greenville – Main Auditorium, 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville; Oct. 5, Lynches River County Park – Multipurpose Room, 5094 County Park Road, Coward; and Oct. 24, Clemson Sandhill REC, 900 Clemson Road, Columbia. Information provided will be the same at all locations. The cost is $50 and includes refreshments and lunch. Seating is limited to 40 participants at each site. Register online at https://tinyurl.com/ClemsonWoodlandClinic. For more information, contact Derrick Phinney, Clemson Extension Natural Resources Program team leader, at dphinne@clemson.edu, or 843-563-0135.
Forestry is a major contributor to the South Carolina economy and the top contender in the state’s agricultural industry. Information provided by the Forestry Association of South Carolina shows the total economic impact of South Carolina’s forest industry is valued at more than $21 billion annually.
— Denise Attaway, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; Public Service and Agriculture, Clemson University
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