The primary industry in SC is agriculture, with 25,000 farms across 4.7 million acres that contributes over $46 billion to the state's annual economy and provides over 247,000 jobs

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Clemson University $12.349 million on October 1, 2025, under the Smith-Lever Extension Funding program (CFDA 10.511), a formula grant supporting cooperative agricultural extension activities at land-grant institutions.

Clemson University's Division of Research, serving as the recipient, delivers research and extension activities across five major program areas: agrisystems productivity and profitability, agribusiness and community development, environmental and natural resources conservation, food safety and security and nutrition, and youth and family development. The work advances competitiveness in agriculture and forestry, supports economic development, safeguards the food supply, preserves natural resources, and prepares younger generations as productive citizens and stewards of South Carolina's natural resources. Clemson Extension participates in multistate collaborative activities including the Southern Region Fruit Consortium, tobacco research with UGA and NC State, regional peach initiatives with UGA, and orchard floor management and regional apple initiatives.

Place of performance is Clemson, South Carolina. The period of performance runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030. The award obligates $12.349 million in formula grant funding to support these extension and research priorities serving South Carolina's agricultural sector, which encompasses 25,000 farms across 4.7 million acres and contributes over $46 billion annually to the state economy.

Forestry is also an important economic driver in SC, contributing over $21.2 billion annually. With such diverse natural resources across the state, tourism is also a major economic force, accounting for expenditures of $24.4 billion in 2019. The 5.1 million people living in SC are crucial to maintaining the quality of life and conservation of the natural beauty in SC, particularly youth, since they are our future stewards of the state. The livelihood and quality of life for SC residents is what drives the programming and research focuses for clemson university and south carolina state university (SC state). The plan of work reflects research and extension activities to benefit agribusiness, communities, and citizens of SC. Focus areas include advancing the competitiveness of the agriculture and forestry, economic development, safeguarding the food supply, preserving natural resources, and preparing the younger generations to become productive citizens. The major program areas for clemson extension include: agrisystems productivity and profitability, agribusiness and community development, environmental and natural reso urces conservation, food safety, security and nutrition, and youth and family development. Clemson extension also participates in multiple multistate extension activities, including the southern region fruit consortium, tobacco, apple and strawberry research with UGA and NC state, the regional peach initiative with UGA, the orchard floor management project, and the regional apple initiative.