SC YOUNG FARMER-AGRIBUSINESS TOUR HELD IN
THE ANDERSON COUNTY AREA
The SC Young Farmer and Agribusiness Association Educational Tour was held in Anderson County and surrounding areas on July 23-24, 2010. Hosted by the Williamston Chapter, the event was planned and coordinated by Steve McGaha, Agricultural Education Instructor at the Anderson I & II Technology Center, Williamston, SC.
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| Happy cows at Trantham Farm. |
Tour stops included a visit to Happy Cow Creamery near Pelzer, SC, owned and operated by Tom Trantham, Jr., and family. A show place for sustainable agriculture, the farm includes a dairy herd that grazes on land planted to grass and hay and grown with no chemical fertilizers, a creamery where the milk is pasteurized and bottled, and an on-the-farm store where a myriad of agricultural products are sold…all grown without the use of chemicals. The Trantham family has also incorporated Agri-tourism as part of their business operation.
Another interesting stop was at Callham Orchards near Williamston, SC. Owned and operated by Bobby and Andy Callaham, the 120 acre operation produces peaches, apples, figs, pumpkins and gourds. A Homemade Ice Cream Parlor and country store filled with fresh fruits, vegetables and other products is a poplar spot for customers. The Callaham family is also involved in Agri-tourism as a part of their business.
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| A large tree spade in operation on the Merritt Brothers Tree Farm . |
Tour participants enjoy a refreshment break at the Merritt Brothers Tree Farm. |
The Merritt Brothers Tree Farm near Easley, SC, was also an interesting stop on the tour. The farm is a 400 plus acre operation producing field grown plant materials which are machined dug from 22 inch to 90 inch root ball size by a 90 inch tree spade for delivery to a job site. Larger material may be moved by their experienced staff. Co-owner Eugene Merritt is a former state FFA president and presently serves on the board of directors of AgFirst Farm Credit Bank which serves 15 states and Puerto Rico.
Another interesting tour stop was at the Split Creek Farm Goat Dairy owned and operated by Evin J. Evans and Patricia Bell of Anderson, SC, who have been commercial Grade A producers since 1985. In 1990, production progressed from 4-gallon vat batches to its current 150-gallon vat operation. Among the products produced and available for purchase at the farm include goat milk cheese, goat milk fudge, goat milk yogurt and goat milk soap. Gift baskets and folk art are also available. The farm was a Gold Medal winner at the 2010 World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison, Wisconsin.
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Andy Callaham with Agricultural Educators Brenda Wright (left) and Mindy Sandifer admiring yellow freestone Contender peaches in the Callaham Farm Market. |
Goats at Split Creek Farm get personal attention daily and it pays off in quality of milk. |
A display of goat milk products for purchase at Split Creek Farm. |
The Dean Hunter Farms near Williamston, SC, was another highlight of the tour. The farm has a selection of antique tractors dating back to the early 1900’s and the largest selection of stationary steam engines in South Carolina. Clutch, diesel, gasoline and kerosene engines as well as an antique automobile museum can be found on the farm. A double decker bus is available for rides over the farm.
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| A steam engine in operation at the Dean Hunter Farms. |
The Antique Automobile Museum at Dean Hunter Farms. |
Co-sponsors of the tour included: Anderson County Council, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, Live Oak Farms, AgSouth Farm Credit, Merritt Tree Farm, Callahams Orchard, Happy Cow Creamery, Dean Hunter Farmes, Split Creek Goat Dairy, Biscuit Barn in Honea Path, SC, Stoney’s Bar-B-Que, Chadwick’s Restaurant of Honea Path, SC, and the Williamston, Crescent, Belton-Honea Path and Pendleton Young Farmer and Agribusiness Chapters. Special appreciation is due Rusty Burns,
Anderson County Administrator, and Angela Stringer, public information officer for Anderson County. Also due grateful appreciation for his support is Ron Wilson, a member of Anderson County Council and owner of the certified naturally grown family-operated Live Oak Farms in Woodruff, SC. Mr. Wilson is also a leader in the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association which promotes organic agriculture. Live Oak Farms and the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association were title sponsors of the tour. Additionally, special appreciation is extended to Dr. Jere Kirkley, Director of Anderson I & II Technology Center, for the use of buses and the facilities for the tour.
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Tom Trantham (left), owner of Happy Cow Creamery, welcomes Steve McGaha, Agricultural Education Instructor at Anderson I & II Technology Center and tour coordinator, and tour group to his farm. Agricultural Education Instructor John Herron is in background. |
Derek Foltz, an employee at Callaham Orchards Ice Cream Parlor during the summer, serves ice cream to happy tour participants. |
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| John Herron, Agricultural Education Instructor at Berea High School, takes a refreshment break in the Callaham Orchards Ice Cream Parlor with daughter, Alicia; wife, Connie; and Isaiah and Presley Wigington, son and daughter of Travelers Rest Agricultural Education Instructor Jason Wigington and wife, Stacey. |
Tour coordinator Steve McGaha addresses participants at the banquet session held at Anderson I & II Technology Center in Williamston. |
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| Jeremy Holtzclaw (left), president-elect of the SC Young Farmer and Agribusiness Association, Iva, SC; with State Representative Mcihael W. Gambrell of Honea Path, SC; and Steve McGaha, Agricultural Education Instructor at Anderson I & II Technology Center. |
Steve McGaha (left) with Anderson County Councilman Ron Wilson and State Young Farmer and Agribusiness Association President Wesley Ulmer of Lodge, SC. |