Page 93 - Florence County, SC Florence County 2032: Connecting Our Past, Defining Our Future

STRATEGIC ACTION Combating Red Cedar Methods:
PRIORITIES Prescribed burns – a common method to keep

prairieland free from trees. Burning typically is effective
• Pursue agricultural preservation strategies to help on cedars less than approximately 4 feet tall.
maintain agricultural identity of Pottawatomie
County and agriculture’s central role in the
economic strength of the County.
› Develop a strategic agricultural plan for the
County. A strategic agricultural plan could
include: Image Source: articles.extension.org

– Assessment of the County’s agricultural
economic indicators and trends
Mechanical Cutting – for larger trees cutting may be
– Inventory and mapping of existing and the best option. Cutting down trees can disturb the
potential agricultural land soil, allowing for new red cedar growth. Bulldozing
– Metrics to prioritize agricultural land and mowing are additional management techniques.

– Strategies for preservation of agricultural
land

› Pursue methods to highlight the importance
of agriculture in Pottawatomie County. This Source: Noble Research Institute
could include agricultural education or
fairs that focus on the agricultural products
produced in Pottawatomie County and Spraying – herbicide chemicals can destroy red cedar
include outreach to the agricultural trees but can sometimes also pose a risk to other
community. Another benefit of such plants and trees.
community-based activities is education of
new residents about the benefits and needs
of agricultural land uses. This may include
education about the necessity of prescribed
burning, livestock care and fencing.
Source: National Wild Turkey Federation
› Increase technical assistance opportunities
related to farm and ranch management
and the food system sectors. The number
of farms in Pottawatomie County has been Livestock grazing – overgrazing can erode land,
declining while the size of the farms has been leading to new invasions, but properly managed
grazing (management-intensive grazing) can be
increasing. Highlight sources of support for beneficial in controlling red cedar.
farmers and farmland preservation as well
as agricultural best management practices,
marketing, and branding. KSU-Extension
services for Pottawatomie County currently
offers best management practice talks such
as Rangeland Field Day and the Pie and
Coffee program. Source: Noble Research Institute

86 | Plan Pottawatomie County 2040 Adopted - August 19, 2019