My career in agriculture was unintentional – but it has become the absolute love of my life.

I grew up in Columbia, SC, with no agricultural background. My mother owned and operated a roofing and building materials business and my father was an attorney with his own firm.  Growing up, I did not know that FFA or 4-H existed. My school did not have an agricultural teacher, and the only farm I could say I visited would be the farm at Riverbanks Zoo!

I graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2010 with my Bachelor's in history and political science. I started working in retail and a string of office jobs. One day, I was volunteering at an event with who turned out to be the CEO of a wood treating business. A month later, I was working as the Executive Communications Coordinator for Cox Industries, Inc., in Orangeburg, SC.

Cox Industries, Inc. was a wood treating business of both residential and industrial wood products. The corporate office was located on the original wood treatment plant, so I would see the plant operations every day. This was the beginning of my introduction to agriculture. Timber products are a huge part of the agricultural industry in South Carolina. Cox was a leader in this industry, especially with the use of the Kiln Dried After Treating (KDAT) Process. They produced everything you would need from building a home to building a dock. The company sold in January 2018 - the residential business to Culpeper Wood Preservers, out of Culpeper Virginia, and the industrial business to Koppers Inc. I worked for Culpeper Wood Preservers for 6 months before I had the pleasure of joining the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation.

South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation (SCFB) is a grassroots, membership-based, agricultural non-profit whose mission is to promote agricultural interests in South Carolina and optimize the lives of those involved in agriculture while being respectful to the needs and concerns of all citizens of our state. I support the mission of SCFB as Membership and Programs Coordinator, and currently as the Interim Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Coordinator.  The YF&R Program seeks to connect and empower young farmers, ranchers, agribusiness professionals, and ag-enthusiasts.

On my first day on the job, my boss took me on two farm visits prior to a policy development meeting. Our first stop was in Newberry, SC. This farm had row crops as well as turkey houses. The farmer took me into a turkey house, cut open a cotton boll for me to see, and took me amongst the row crops. It was an experience I have not forgotten to this day! Next, I went to my first dairy in Laurens, SC, where I learned about jersey cows and how much technology is involved. I was blown away by my visits, and I feel like I am still learning on the job almost three years later.

As Membership and Programs Coordinator and Interim YF&R Coordinator, I work with Collegiate Farm Bureau groups (Clemson University, Francis Marion University, and Piedmont Tech –Saluda Campus), the YF&R Committee, run Farm Bureau Membership, and YF&R Awards, and more! While I did not grow up in agriculture, I have come to love and admire it.

I would encourage anyone involved in agriculture to become a Farm Bureau member – because we are ALL ABOUT AGRICULTURE! Please visit our website www.scfb.org; also feel free to contact me personally at cwalker@scfb.org or 803-331-0139 with any questions!