In the Fall of 2023, we attended the Brassica Field Day, which featured the USDA Heirloom Collard Collection at Clemson University’s Coastal Research and Education Center. The event focused on showcasing research and techniques related to Brassica crops like collards, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens, and cabbage. Experts discussed managing diseases and pests that threaten these crops, emphasizing the importance of genetic diversity in addressing new agricultural challenges.
Later, Dr. Sandra Branham, a Clemson vegetable breeding assistant professor, joined us in the studio, along with retired USDA vegetable geneticist Dr. Mark Farnham and retired Clemson Extension Agent Dr. Powell Smith. We also learned that over 100 of the collard varieties on display were collected by Dr. Farnham and Dr. Smith as they traveled across the Southeastern US, gathering seeds from homeowners.
🌱 Making It Grow is an award-winning program produced by SCETV and Clemson University. Host Amanda McNulty from Clemson Extension along with Clemson Extension Master Gardener State Coordinator Agent Terasa Lott plus other Extension Agents and featured guests offer research-based information on a variety of gardening, agricultural, and environmental topics, while also highlighting interesting places and products from around South Carolina.