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Growing Awareness: Educating the Community Through the Orangeburg County Fair Garden

Search for Excellence in Agriculture Awareness and Appreciation

Laura Hair
4-H Youth Development Agent
Clemson University
Orangeburg

Team Members: Hair, L*1, Croft , J*2, Carnley, P3
  1. 4-H Youth Development Agent, , Orangeburg, South Carolina, 29115
  2. Senior Extension Agent - Agronomic Crops, , Orangeburg, South Carolina, 29115
  3. Horticulture Agent, , Orangeburg, South Carolina, 29115

Abstract

The public relations efforts for the Orangeburg County Fair garden were designed to educate the community about agriculture and South Carolina’s major commodity crops while fostering a greater appreciation for the agricultural industry. Led by Laura Hair (4-H Youth Development Agent), Phillip Carnley (Horticulture Agent), and Jonathan Croft (Agronomy Agent)—all of whom serve Orangeburg County—these efforts included hands-on youth involvement, educational displays, and interactive discussions with fair attendees.

A key component of the project was the Green and Growing 4-H Camp, held July 29-31, 2024, where eight youth learned about soil sampling, seed types, pollinators, and South Carolina’s commodity crops. As part of their learning experience, the youth planted the garden that would later be displayed at the Orangeburg County Fair, reinforcing their connection to agriculture.

During the six-day fair, the garden exhibit engaged an estimated 25,000 visitors through informational displays and discussions led by Laura, Phillip, and Jonathan. Educational flyers provided crop-specific details, and visitors had the unique opportunity to learn about the effects of weather on farming after Hurricane Helene damaged the crops days before the fair. Rather than seeing this as a setback, the team turned it into an educational moment, demonstrating the challenges farmers face. To further enhance outreach, the team invited the host of the Making it Grow TV program to engage with visitors on Saturday, answering questions about agriculture and gardening.

The project successfully met its objectives by increasing public awareness of agriculture, fostering positive attitudes toward farming, and strengthening connections between consumers and local farmers. The combination of hands-on activities, expert-led discussions, and interactive learning experiences helped bridge the gap between the public and the agricultural community, reinforcing the importance of agriculture in Orangeburg County.

Entry