Food for Thought

Clemson University is a university known nation-wide for its academic success and its relationship with South Carolinians.  Thomas Clemson hoped that this institution would become something great by the means of teaching the science of agriculture and the mechanical arts.  Clemson has established its meaning as an agricultural university by catering to many generations of farming families over the years.  Clemson extension was created to gain knowledge through research by focusing on agriculture and the environment, economic community and development, and youth and families.  I am the fourth generation of a farming family and also the fifth person to attend Clemson as an agriculture major.  I would hate to see the agriculture department suffer because of some budget cuts or someone who believes that this is what is best.  It is never a good time to cut back any department, but especially the agricultural one. People will always need to eat; they will always need food and will always demand quality foods.  Teaching a better way to grow foods and coming up with ways to better South Carolina’s society is something that should not be compromised.   A bumper sticker on my brother’s truck reads “Got Food? Thank a FARMER!” This statement is and always will be true.  South Carolina is a farming state, one that will depend on the newest knowledge of agriculture for years to come.  Since Clemson established the extension program, much knowledge has been gained, but why are the majors being merged or cut? Why are you no longer able to graduate in CAFALS with what you have been majoring in? Why, after so many meetings and petitions, does it seem like the university is not even listening to all the students and alumni who say that this is the wrong choice? An advertisement put out by the university states that fact that “agriculture sustains life.”  If agriculture sustains life, why aren’t they keeping emphasis on the agricultural department these days?