Hotel Reservations
ONLINE RESERVATION LINK

Sunday, July 28

4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

SCSA Board Meeting

6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
President’s Drop-In

Monday, July 29

11:30 – Noon
Tech Workshop Registration

Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Technology Workshop

2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Convention Registration 

4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Clemson Research Roundtable

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Opening Reception

7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Awards Dinner/Entertainment

Tuesday, July 30

7:45 – 9:15 a.m.
SCSA Past President’s Breakfast  
SCSA Business Session

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Registration

9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Delegate Business Session

9:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Partner’s Program 

Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Golfing or Sightseeing 

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Closing Reception

7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Island Dinner/Dance

Wednesday, July 31

11:00 a.m.
Hotel Checkout Deadline

South Carolina Agriculture Poised for the Future

The SC Seedsmen’s Association convention has been one of the premier state seed conventions in the country for many years.  The reason for this success is that the focus of the convention is to expose members to new ideas and to provide a family atmosphere for SCSA members and their families to connect with other industry members in a social environment.The focus of this year’s convention is to bring the very best speakers, the most talented farmers, and the top seedsmen all to one island—Hilton Head Island!

Our convention is again going to be Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.  The 2019 SC Seedsmen’s Association/SCFAA convention will be held on July 28–31, oceanside at the Sonesta Resort in internationally famous Hilton Head Island, SC. Hilton Head is known as the playground for the rich and famous, home of the PGA Heritage Golf Tournament, and some of the most beautiful and uncluttered beaches on the east coast! Delegates and their families can enjoy exploring one of the most interesting islands in the country! 
 
This is one SCSA convention that you don’t want to miss! This year, we are focusing on the future. The program features two outstanding speakers that can give our members a glance of the future, and ways they can take advantage of developing opportunities. The future is coming, so we need to be prepared for it!

Kevin Yon—Yon Family Farms: Winner of 2018 Sunbelt Expo’s SE Farmer of the Year.  Yon’s cattle operation, located near Ridge Spring, SC started from scratch and has grown into one of the country’s 25 largest purebred operations with over 2,000 cows. Forages are among the most extensive plantings on Yon’s farm, which has successfully grown bermudagrass, alfalfa and corn and has become a new grower of pecans, soybeans and grain sorghum. 

Dr. Milt Lowder—Sports Psychologist for the Clemson University Athletic Department. Dr. Lowder builds encouraging, collaborative relationships to maximize performance in all aspects of his clients’ lives with practical strategies. Clemson Football Coach Dabo Swinney summed it up best when describing his role to the football team, “Milt’s job is the peak performance of our team, as well as the mental health of our team.”  He can provide insight and strategies to help you deal with professional and life pressures! Dr. Lowder grew up in Sumter County on a cotton farm and ginning operation.

The convention will kick off at noon Monday with a Technology Workshop featuring the growing and marketing of hemp.  The Workshop will be followed in the afternoon by the Clemson Research Roundtable. The evening events will begin with the opening reception and the SCSA Awards Gala.  The Awards Gala will feature Humorist Glen Ward and recognize several SCSA members for their achievements. On Tuesday, the delegates will participate in the Delegate Session described above.  The Spouses Program will feature an island experience.  The convention closes with a spectacular Closing Reception, Dinner and Dance.  A great time is guaranteed for all! See you at the beach!

Convention tips

In order to make your attendance at the convention as pleasant and worry-free as possible, convention pointers are provided below. 

REGISTRATION:  
In order to register for the convention, attendees need to complete two registration actions:

Hotel Reservations:  To reserve your room at the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island, SC, please call your reservation in at 1-844-202-4674. When calling, be sure to mention that you are attending the SC Seedsmen's Association convention to get the special group rate of $209 ($350 regular rate) resort view. See online reservation link below. Hotel guests will be required to guarantee their reservation with a credit card. The deposit will be refunded, if canceled at least 3 days prior to arrival. 

The deadline for hotel reservations is June 26, 2019.  After June 26, our room block will be released, and reservations will be accepted on a space available basis. Last year the hotel was sold out!  Since both availability and selection will decline dramatically as we move toward June 26, attendees are strongly encouraged to make room reservations now, if you just think you might attend.  Check-in time is 4 p.m. & check-out time is 11 a.m.

ONLINE RESERVATION LINK

Convention Registration:  Please fill out the registration form (links above) completely and return with your payment. Advance registration will qualify attendees for a discount on registration fees.  After July 17, attendees are subject to late registration fees.  Advance registrants will be able to pick up their registration packets on Monday, July 29, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.  On-site registration can be completed on Monday, or from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 30 in the hotel.

TECH WORKSHOP: 

There will be a Technology Workshop offered Monday morning from Noon - 4:00 p.m. The Workshop will feature several presentations on various production topics. The fee for the workshop is $20.

GOLF OUTING: 

Members who are interested in playing one of the world-class golf courses in Hilton Head can sign up for an outing at nearby Port Royal Golf Course located just minutes from the hotel on Tuesday afternoon, July 30. The greens and cart fees will be paid by the entrants. Please indicate on the registration form which members of your family plan to play golf and their golf handicap.

ATTIRE:  

Since we will be meeting in the summer, the appropriate dress will be business casual – sport shirts/knit shirts and slacks for the men, and dress shorts/sun dresses for the ladies. Coat and tie are not required for the gentlemen at the Awards Dinner Gala on Monday night. On Tuesday night, we will have a dinner/dance so bring your shorts, and appropriate island wear.

RESEARCH ROUNDTABLE: 

Dr. John Andrae,  Extension Forage Specialist with Clemson University, will lead a roundtable discussion on agricultural research topics at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 29. All attendees are welcome to hear the latest update on Clemson research activities.

DIRECTIONS to HOTEL: 

From I-95 take Highway 278 to Hilton Head Island. Once you cross the access bridge you have two options. The first option is to continue down William Hilton Parkway until you get to Port Royal Dunes Plantation (on the left). The faster option is to take the Cross-Island Expressway (toll road). Take the Expressway to the traffic circle and get back on William Hilton Parkway and head north. Port Royal Plantation (on the right) is less than 2 miles from the traffic circle. Security officers will provide directions to the hotel at the gate.

Convention Committee 

Communications

Rachael Sharp, Chair
Phil Perry

Will Henderson

Historical/Scrapbook
Natalie Wallace, Chair
Gail Vines

Honorary Member
Jimmy Plunkett, Chair
Sam Smith
Danny Roberts

Seedsman of the Year

Tally McColl, Chair
Tom Baugh

Eric DuBose

Nominations

Owen Wallace, Chair
Dan Pitts

George Stabler

Necrology

Rachael Sharp, Chair
Tom Booth

Phil Farmer

Auditing

Rachael Sharp, Chair
Danny Roberts

Jimmy Plunkett

Convention Finance
Rachael Sharp, Chair
Chip Huffman
Wyatt Richardson

Convention Resolutions
Jess Easterling, Chair
Dean Morrison
Jayme Singleton

Convention Registration
Kim Martin, Chair

Natalie Wallace

Gail Vines
Kay Barton

Golf Tournament
Bobby Sutpin, Chair
Jimmy Plunkett

Clemson Roundtable
Chris Ray, Chair
Steven Cole

Nathan Smith

SCSA 2019 Convention Sponsors

Rachael Sharp, Chair of the Convention Finance Committee, reports that convention sponsorships are off to a good start.  However, Rachael indicates that she has yet to hear from 
a number of loyal supporters.  Sponsorship will position your company as one of the leaders in the southeast seed industry.

If your company has yet to respond, it isn’t too late. Mail your checks today to:  SCSA, P.O. Box 11173, Columbia, SC 29211.

    
We salute the following companies for their generous and timely sponsorship to the 2019 SCSA convention:

Aiken Farm Supply
Carolina Eastern

Circle Grove Seeds
Cousins Agri-Center

D & D Farms

Gerard Seed Company
Gold Leaf Seed

Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC
Hulsey Seed Laboratory
SeedWay

Sharp & Sharp Certified Seed
Springfield Grain Company