81st South Carolina Farm Bureau Annual Meeting

Stephen Bradley (Brad) Cavin began working for Clemson University’s Department of Plant Industry (DPI) as a Plant Pest Regulatory Inspector in 2007. In 2013, Brad was appointed the State Apiary Inspector for South Carolina. His responsibilities in this role include oversight of regulatory activities of the Clemson University Department of Plant Industry Apiary Inspection program in South Carolina. Brad conducts random inspection of beekeepers/queen breeders and investigates calls from beekeepers concerned about possible pests and pathogens. He recommends establishment of protective or restrictive quarantine(s) as required due to disease or deleterious exotic species and enforces the South Carolina Honeybee laws and regulations. In order to assist beekeepers with management of honeybee diseases, parasites, and pathogens, Brad frequently collaborates with Clemson University’s Extension Apiculture Specialist. He educates the public by hosting discussions regarding honeybees and the laws that regulate the honeybee industry. Brad issues certificates of inspection for queen breeders and migratory beekeepers as well as certificates for exportation and importation commerce for colonies of honeybees.

Brandon Myers is owner of Crossroads Processing in Leesville, South Carolina. Crossroads Processing is a custom processor, specializing in deer and livestock. 

In addition to his work with Crossroads, Brandon currently serves on the State Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee with his wife, is the current Lexington County Farm Bureau President, and Chair of the State Processing Advisory Committee. He was recently named as one of the 2025 30 Under 30 award recipients by the International Production and Processing Expo. 

Brandon holds an associate degree in diversified agriculture from Piedmont Technical College and also works as a Supply Manager at FPL Food in Augusta, Georgia.

Brandon and his family reside in Leesville, South Carolina. He has a love for agriculture and the outdoors that he shares with people through the food they consume. 

Bud Sarvis is the Farm Loan Chief for the USDA-Farm Service Agency covering the state of South Carolina. He grew up in Conway, SC on a small row crop farm. He attended Clemson University and earned a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology (2005) and a M.S. in Plant and Environmental Science (2008). Following graduation, Bud began working with the USDA-Farm Service Agency in Florence, Barnwell, and Colleton Service Centers and he has been working with FSA for 14 years. In his current role, he supervises all aspects of USDA Agricultural lending through Direct and Guaranteed loans in order to to help farmers and ranchers get the financing they need to start, expand or maintain a family farm.

Charles Ruth is a Wildlife Biologist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and currently serves as the Big Game Program Coordinator. He has been employed by SCDNR as the Deer Program Coordinator since 1995. He also oversees the Wild Turkey program and Black Bear program. 

He earned his bachelors degree in biology from the College of Charleston in 1986. He later earned his masters degree in aquaculture, fisheries and wildlife biology from Clemson University in 1990.

Charles is a certified Wildlife Biologist by the Wildlife Society and has authored or co-authored over 30 scientific publications related to big game biology and management.

In February of 2020 he was awarded the Deer Management Career Achievement Award by the Southeast Deer Committee for his contributions and dedication to white-tailed deer management in South Carolina and the Southeast.

Charles is an avid archery deer hunter.

Workshop will cover herbicide updates for hayfields and pastures. Program will be worth one hour of recertification credit for pesticide license holders.

Hope Mizzell is a South Carolina native from Spartanburg. Intrigued by her grandmother’s daily ritual of documenting the weather her fascination with weather and climate began at the early age of 8. Thanks to the support and encouragement from family and friends she completed her undergraduate (1993), Masters (1999) and Ph.D. (2008) focused on climatology from the University of South Carolina. She started her career in 1992 as a climatologist for the Southeast Regional Climate Center, before advancing to Assistant State Climatologist for the South Carolina State Climate Office in 1995 and to South Carolina State Climatologist in 2003. Hope also serves as a supervisor for the SC Flood Mitigation Program. As State Climatologist, Hope ‘s responsibilities include providing climatic information and meteorological interpretations, certifying climate records, overseeing the State’s Drought Response Program, providing emergency weather support; and conducting applied research to improve decision making activities. Dr. Mizzell has authored or co-authored studies on topics ranging from extreme rainfall, flooding, drought, and climate trends and variability. She is the Past President of the American Association of State Climatologists, a member of the American Meteorological Society, the Palmetto Chapter of the American Meteorological Society, and the SC Association of Hazard Mitigation. Hope enjoys spending free time with her family, fishing, hiking, and water-skiing.

John P. Chastain has been a faculty member at Clemson University since August 1995. His extension and research responsibilities include: animal waste collection and storage systems, land application of animal wastes and municipal sludge, alternative uses of waste, bioenergy from waste, odor control from animal production units, and planning of animal production systems. He is also one of the faculty at Clemson who helped to begin extension programs in animal manure management including the Confined Animal Manure Managers Program. This workshop will provide 2 recertification credits for all animal producers and manure brokers who have a SC Animal Waste Permit or who are Certified through the Confined Animal Manure Managers Program.
 

Kyle Smith grew up in Clinton, SC and later went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in agribusiness from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in 2021. Following his undergraduate studies, Kyle obtained a Master of Science degree in agronomy from Clemson University in May of 2023. He is currently an Agronomy Agent for Clemson Cooperative Extension, serving counties throughout the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina. An advocate for agriculture, Kyle is a member of South Carolina Farm Bureau and strives to provide valuable resources and education to his stakeholders and those he serves.

Sarah Windham serves as the assistan tmanaging partner of the South Carolina/Western Carolina practice unit of Forvis Mazars. Sarah has been practicing as a CPA since 200, and her exceptional client service has afforded her opportunities to work with a variety of clients, including many family-owned and multi-generational businesses. Throughout her career, Sarah has developed extensive experience in several financial areas, including tax planning, business consultation, and generational wealth planning/succession planning, as well as tax research and compliance for corporations, partnerships, limited-liability entities, and individuals with high net worth. Her vast industry knowledge includes agribusiness, construction and real estate. As a valued consultant to her clients and their industries, Sarah has frequently served as a speaker and CPE presenter at a variety of industry association conferences and events.

Sarah has provided testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access on behalf of the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation regarding cash accounting in small businesses, including family farms in South Carolina. Windham continues to be a vital part of the organization through her knowledge and support of South Carolina family farms and agriculture, and was recognized by the SC Farm Bureau Federation as a 2014 Government Relations All-Star.

Dr. Steve Li is the extension weed scientist and associate professor in College of Agriculture of Auburn University. He is the team leader of the agronomic crops extension team of Auburn University. His research and extension program focuses on applied weed management in row crops, pesticide off-target movement, new application technology, utilizing drones to apply pesticides and precision application workflows, etc. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed journal papers, conference proceedings, technical sheets and extension guides. Dr. Li presents research-based presentations 50-60 times every year to approximately 2000-4000 stakeholders from Alabama and other states. His extension impact on Alabama row crop production has exceeded $20 million since 2017 based on in-person surveys. Dr. Li currently provides drone related research data, technical guidance, and education to agricultural drone operators from nearly every agricultural state in the US and from other countries. Over 30,000 people follow his educational posts in Facebook spray drone groups. His education posts have reached over 240,000 people online. EPA, DHS, State Department of Ag, Crop Life of America, major chemical manufacturers, and global spray drone task force (UAPASTF) frequently consult with him for spray drone related regulations, best management practices, and future labels for spray drones. Dr. Li also hosts spray drone end user conference which is the most informative and end-user focused event in North America. 

A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Dr. Steven Marks came to Clemson in 2023 after positions at the North Carolina State University (2005-2023), University of Illinois (2001-2005), Louisiana State University (1996-2001), Colorado State University (1995-1996), Cardio Pet, Inc. (1994-1995), and Washington State University (1990-1994). He also served as president of the Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialty in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine from 2009 to 2012.

Dr. Marks’ research interests involve emergency and critical care, general internal medicine, cardiopulmonary medicine, and pain management. As a teacher, Dr. Marks is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Norden Distinguished Teacher Award at Louisiana State University (1999), the Pfizer Distinguished Teacher Award at NC State (2009), the Zoetis Distinguished Teacher Award at NC State (2013) and most recently, the 2014 NC State Outstanding Teacher Award.

Dr. Marks received his BVSc degree from the University of Liverpool Faculty of Veterinary Science in 1989. He had a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine. He completed his residency in small animal internal medicine at Washington State University, where he also earned a master’s degree in veterinary medicine.