What is agribusiness? What are the career opportunities in the agribusiness industry? These and other questions about the food and fiber industry were answered during the Agribusiness Summer Camp, sponsored by the South Carolina State University Department of Accounting, Agribusiness and Economics on June 15-19.

Twenty-two high school juniors and seniors representing Denmark-Olar, Lake Marion, W.J. Keenan, Orangeburg-Wilkinson and Scott's Branch high schools attended the camp, which was held to attract students to S.C. State's agribusiness program by introducing them to the food and fiber industry and its careers, and to introduce entrepreneurial opportunities in the industry by engaging them in an experiential activity.

During the week, through hands-on and interactive activities, students learned about the nature of agribusiness, national and international dimensions of agribusiness, the land grant system, career opportunities in agribusiness, how to determine supply and demand for products, and export/import activities in agribusiness. In addition, representatives from the university made presentations about the S.C. State admissions process and becoming a successful student.

A key component of the camp was the entrepreneurship project, which involved making products related to agribusiness. Each high school selected one product (soap, soy candles, perfume, lipstick and chocolate candy) to produce and learn its origin and relationship as a product or by-product of the agribusiness industry. Using supplies provided, they produced the product, packaged it for sale, determined the costs and selling price, designed posters and made a final presentation to a team of judges, who evaluated their finished product, packaging and presentation. Denmark-Olar won first place for their chocolate candy product; Scott's Branch won second place for their soap product; Keenan won third place for their perfume product; Lake Marion won fourth place for their soy candles product; and Orangeburg-Wilkinson won fifth place for their lipstick product.

"The camp was successful, in terms of generating an interest in the field of agribusiness," said Dr. Barbara Adams, chairperson of S.C. State's Department of Accounting, Agribusiness and Economics. "At least four camp participants are expected to enroll in the agribusiness program at SC State in fall 2009."

For more information about the agribusiness program, call Adams at 803-536-8121 or Dr. Haile Selassie at 803-536-8456.

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