The Chef Behind Big Delicious

Ridge Spring, a classic small town complete with local shops and friendly folks, is home to a restaurant that keeps customers happy and coming back for more. Chef Brandon Velie and his wife Jeanne opened up Juniper in July of 2005 and are still going strong. It seems Velie has struck gold with his combination of fresh food, attentive and smiling staff, and vintage decorations that instantly transport you to a place of nostalgia.

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Meet our Summer Staff

Here are the last few staff members to get to know!

Taylor Patten

Ropes Director

Where are you from?   Columbia, SC      

Where do you go to school?   Clemson University   

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Twelve years   

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   One period for GEEP when it was raining                                                                                                                                                                                                  and we went on a swamp walk                                                                                                                        What is your favorite day activity at camp?   GEEP   

What is your favorite camp meal?   Chicken Tenders and French Fries   

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Thomas Coleman   

What is your favorite night activity?   Rambo night   

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Timeless   

What do you want to be when you grow up?   A saltwater fishing guide/captain   

JB Carrouth

Counselor                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Year Round Intern

Where are you from?   Columbia, SC   

Where do you go to church?   St. Joseph's Catholic Church      

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Twelve years   

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   Doing a mud run with David Roth my last year as a camper                                                                     

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Canoe   

What is your favorite camp meal?   Hamburger steak   

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   David Roth   

What is your favorite night activity?   Jurassic Classic   

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Inspiring   

What do you want to be when you grow up?   Years round intern   

Jordan Postal

Counselor

Where are you from?   Blythewood, SC   

Where do you go to church?  Spring Valley Presbyterian Church   

Where do you go to school?   Blythewood High School   

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Seven years   

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   All of my counselors and the impact they have made on my life                                                                 

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Art   

What is your favorite camp meal?   Chicken tenders   

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Darby Thompson, Amanda White, and Simons McGlone   

What is your favorite night activity?   Luau   

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Welcoming   

What do you want to be when you grow up?   A teacher   

Rhett Hartin

Kitchen Assistant

Where are you from?   Columbia, SC   

Where do you go to church?   St. John's Episcopal Church   

Where do you go to school?   A.C. Flora High School   

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Four years   

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   Going to the pit as a camper or free swim                                                                                                           

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   High Ropes  

What is your favorite camp meal?   Tacos   

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   David Roth and Alex Bowers   

What is your favorite night activity?   Space Jam   

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Phenomenal   

What do you want to be when you grow up?   A DNR officer or a photographer   

Justin Hadden

Program Director

Where are you from?   Aiken, SC      

Where do you go to school?   Aiken Technical College   

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Two years   

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   The day we got the baby goats                                                                                                                                                                        

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Footprints   

What is your favorite camp meal?   Luau night   

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Scott McNeely   

What is your favorite night activity?   Dragon Slayer Night   

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Loving Community   

What do you want to be when you grow up?   That is still undecided

Lori Blum-Hiott

Camp Nurse

Where are you from?   Lexington, SC

What is your favorite activity at camp?   Free Swim

What is your favorite camp meal?   Fried Chicken

What is your favorite night activity?   Carnival

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Wholesome

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   One year

What is your favorite Gravatt memory?   Torches on the last night of shalom

Where do you go to church?   Northside Baptist Church

Lily and Alex

Lily and Alex are nurse Lori's two daughters who have spent the summer by nurse Lori's side.   Lily is old enough to stay in a tent during elementary sessions and loves Strings N' Things and Goldrush during swim period.  Alex helps her mom in the infirmary, loves the dance, baby goats, and singing shalom.

Matthew Hogue

Counselor

Where are you from?   Columbia, SC  

Where do you go to church?   Spring Valley Presbyterian Church   

Where do you go to school?   The University of South Carolina   

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Ten years   

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?  The 10-day session that I won inspection everyday                                                                                                                                                                        

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Adventure and Discovery   

What is your favorite camp meal?   Cold cut sandwich day   

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Hughes McGlone   

What is your favorite night activity?   Jurassic Classic   

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Family   

What do you want to be when you grow up?   A Doctor    

Griffin Carrouth

Counselor

Where are you from?   Columbia, SC   

Where do you go to church?   St. Joseph's Catholic Church   

Where do you go to school?   A.C. Flora High School   

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Seven years   

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   My first time playing narball                                                                                                                                                                        

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Narball   

What is your favorite camp meal?   French toast sticks   

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   JB Carrouth   

What is your favorite night activity?   Jurassic Classic   

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Friendship   

What do you want to be when you grow up?   A lawyer

What is your favorite color?   Blue  

  

Meet the Summer 2015 Camp Gravatt Staff

Join us every week to learn about our summer staff

Caroline Sinegar

Counselor

Where are you from?   Irmo, South Carolina   

Where do you go to church?   Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church   

Where do you go to school?   Calhoun Honors College at Clemson University   

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Nine years   

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   Going to the pit as a camper and then                                                                                                          going and jumping in the lake to get the mud off

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Swim   

What is your favorite camp meal?   Hamburger steak with rice   

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Hughes McGlone   

What is your favorite night activity?   The Talent Show  

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Supportive   

What do you want to be when you grow up?   Undecided   

Erick Gonzalez

Counselor

Where are you from?   York, SC    

Where do you go to school?   Winthrop University   

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   One year   

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   My first tent as a counselor                                                                                                                              

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Canoeing   

What is your favorite camp meal?   Grilled Chicken Sandwiches   

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Winston Collins   

What is your favorite night activity?   Space Jam   

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.  Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious   

What do you want to be when you grow up?   Pediatrician   

 

Sarah Bowers

Director of Art and GEEP                                                                                                                            

Year Round Intern

Where are you from?   Saluda, South Carolina   

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Seventeen years

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   On the last night of the first Junior High                                                                                                                                                                                                session I was a counselor when my girls                                                                                                                                                                                            and I were lying on the back porch while                                                                                                                                                                                     looking at the stars and talking about our week                                                                                                     

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Art and Swim   

What is your favorite camp meal?   Biscuits with sausage and gravy   

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Michelle Sutton Spigner   

What is your favorite night activity?   Gold Rush   

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Love  

What do you want to be when you grow up?  A teacher or a baker in a pastry shop   

Goodson Michel 

Counselor

Where are you from?   Columbia, SC   

Where do you go to church?   St. Thomas More Catholic Church   

Where do you go to school?   Cardinal Newman High School   

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Seven years   

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   My last year as a camper when we had                                                                                                                                                                                               night devotion with Louis in Stewart Dining Hall                                                                                         

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   High ropes   

What is your favorite camp meal?   Grilled Cheese   

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   David Roth   

What is your favorite night activity?   The Dance   

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Pure   

What do you want to be when you grow up?   A lawyer   

Alena Senf

Counselor

Where are you from?   Gilbert, South Carolina     

Where do you go to school?   Clemson University   

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Seven years   

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   Going to the St. Francis Chapel the last                                                                                                                                                                                                                    night of my CIT year                                                                                                                              What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Archery  

What is your favorite camp meal?   Fried Chicken  

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Hughes McGlone  

What is your favorite night activity?   Halloween Night  

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Love  

What do you want to be when you grow up? A Disney Imagineer   

Griffin Darby

Counselor

Where are you from?   Columbia, SC     

Where do you go to school?   University of South Carolina   

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Eleven years   

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   My first cabin as a counselor which                                                                                                                                                                                                                   was Junior High 2 in 2013                                                                                                               

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Swim  

What is your favorite camp meal?   Fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, and gravy   

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Simons McGlone   

What is your favorite night activity?   Jurassic Classic   

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Loving   

What do you want to be when you grow up?   Physical Therapist   

Bridges Michel

Counselor

Where are you from?   Columbia, SC  

Where do you go to school?   Clemson University   

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Eight years   

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   In 2010 when we had prayer lanterns going                                                                                                                                                                                                      from Beckham to campfire                                                                                                                       What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Morning watch   

What is your favorite camp meal?   French Toast Sticks   

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Darby Thompson   

What is your favorite night activity?   The Talent Show   

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Everlasting  

What do you want to be when you grow up?   I'm not sure yet, I know I want to work with kids                                                                                                                                                                                in some capacity but I don't know what specifically   

Where are you from?   York, SC   

Where do you go to church?   Church of the Good Shepherd   

Where do you go to school?   University of South Carolina   

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Four years   

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   The Gravatt Olympics                                                                                                                                              

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Swim   

What is your favorite camp meal?   Grilled Chicken Sandwiches   

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Simons McGlone   

What is your favorite night activity?   Space Jam   

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Mesmerizing   

What do you want to be when you grow up?   A stay at home dad   

Meet the Summer 2015 Camp Gravatt Staff

Join us every week to learn about the current summer staff of Gravatt

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Sam Estes

Counselor

Where are you from?   Columbia, SC

Where do you go to church?   St. Thomas More Catholic Church

Where do you go to school?   College of Charleston

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Six years

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   Getting to host a talent show with Griffin                                                                                                                                                                                              and Alex as my favorite Disney princess                                                                                                         What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Footprints

What is your favorite camp meal?   Pizza and corn

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Sydney Beckner and Hallie Carde   

What is your favorite night activity?   The Talent Show   

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Selflessness

What do you want to be when you grow up?   A teacher and a head of a theater program  

Evan Mikula

Counselor

Where are you from?   Columbia, SC

Where do you go to church?   St. John Neumann

Where do you go to school?   Clemson University   

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Eight years   

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   Going on a swamp walk with Hughes                                                                                                                                                                                                   Mcglone my last summer as a camper                                                                                                              What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Art on Tie dye day   

What is your favorite camp meal?   Hamburger steak night   

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Hughes Mcglone and David Roth   

What is your favorite night activity?   Jurassic Classic   

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Home   

What do you want to be when you grow up?   A geologist 

Wythe Hunnicutt 

Counselor

Where are you from?   Augusta, GA

Where do you go to church?   Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church   

Where do you go to school?   Wofford College   

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Eleven years   

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   Devotions with Hughes Mcglone and Pierre Sanders my CIT year                                                                                                                                                                        

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Canoeing  

What is your favorite camp meal?   Spaghetti   

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Hallie Carde   

What is your favorite night activity?   Disney night   

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Caring   

What do you want to be when you grow up?   Someone that does something with Marketing

Winston Collins

 Counselor/ Year round intern

Where are you from?   Forest Acres, SC

Where do you go to church?   St. John's Episcopal Church      

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Really since I was born with my church, camp, and Diocesan Youth events   

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   Teaching campers about prescribed or control burns with Hughes Mcglone                                      

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   GEEP (Gravatt Environmental Education Program)   

What is your favorite camp meal?   Meatloaf   

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Scott McNeely and Thomas Coleman   

What is your favorite night activity?   Jurassic Classic   

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Hospitality   

What do you want to be when you grow up?   A forester   

Beth Jones

Counselor

Where are you from?   Lexington, SC    

Where do you go to school?   University of South Carolina   

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Fifteen years as camper and staffer, but really my whole life   

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   When I came to a staff reunion with my parents when                                                                                                                                                                    I was three years old, and I was sitting on the Beckham porch                                                                                                                                                           and Father Byrd sat and talked with me

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Polar Bear   

What is your favorite camp meal?   Grilled Chicken Sandwiches   

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   All the current and former staff members   

What is your favorite night activity?   Jurassic Classic   

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Love  

What do you want to be when you grow up?   The camp director or be a board member

Scott McNeely

Camp Director 

Where are you from?    York, SC

Where did you go to school?   Clemson University   

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Twenty-five years   

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   When I was a camper and we would have water                                                                                                                                                                                             wars on boys side during rest period                                                                                           

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Swim period on Sharks and Minnows day   

What is your favorite camp meal?   The hamburgers and hot dogs at Luau   

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Father Byrd   

What is your favorite night activity?   The Space Jam   

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Excellence     

 

 

Meet our Summer Camp Staff

Check each week to meet the Summer Camp Staff of 2015

Louis Mcelveen

Director of Engineering

Where are you from?   Columbia, SC

Where do you go to church?   Eastminster Presbyterian Church

Where do you go to school?   Furman University

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Fifteen years

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   My first tent as a counselor

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Choice period

What is your favorite camp meal?   Corn dog nuggets

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Gray Robbins

What is your favorite night activity?   Lord of the Rings night

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Compassion

What do you want to be when you grow up?   Astronaut

Mikki Raska

Counselor

Where are you from?   Williston, SC

Where do you go to school?   Winthrop University

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Six years

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   When some of my campers made a deck of                                                                                                                                                                                          cards with "44 reasons why we love Mikki"

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Canoeing

What is your favorite camp meal?   Meatball subs

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Darby Thompson

What is your favorite night activity?   Jurassic Classic

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Selfless

What do you want to be when you grow up?   Speech Pathologist

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Alex Bowers

Waterfront Director

Where are you from?   Columbia, SC

Where do you go to school?   Tri-County Technical College

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Nine years

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   Hosting the Talent Show as Harry Carry with                                                                                                                                    Simons

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Swim Period

What is your favorite camp meal?   Chicken Tenders

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Francis Anderson

What is your favorite night activity?   Man Hunt

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Scrumtrulescent

What do you want to be when you grow up?   Art teacher

Etta Gantt

Counselor

Where are you from?   Camden, SC

Where do you go to church?   Grace Episcopal Church

Where do you go to school?   University of South Carolina

How long have you been going to Gravatt? Ten years

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   Field day my first year on staff

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Canoeing

What is your favorite camp meal?   Corndog nuggies

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Langley Altman

What is your favorite night activity?   The Dance

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Bliss

What do you want to be when you grow up?   Child life specialist

Frank Townsend

Director of Technology

Where are you from?   Aiken, SC

Where do you go to church?   St.Thaddeus, Aiken

Where do you go to school?   I just graduated Clemson University

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Ten years

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   Winning the Gravatt World Cup in 2014                                                                                                   

What is your favorite day activity at camp?  Playing soccer in the field or playing human foosball

What is your favorite camp meal?   Chicken fingers

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Jake Chesser and Francis Anderson

What is your favorite night activity?   Capture the Flag

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Belonging

What do you want to be when you grow up?   To be determined

Maddy Mazoue

Counselor

Where are you from?   Columbia, SC

Where do you go to church?   St. John Neumann Catholic Church

Where do you go to school?   Clemson University

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Ten years

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   My last year as a camper when we sang Creed                                                                                                                                                                                                        songs everywhere

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Swimming

What is your favorite camp meal?   Spaghetti

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Madelyn Smith 

What is your favorite night activity?   Manhunt

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Inspirational

What do you want to be when you grow up?   Physical Therapist

 

 

Meet our Summer Camp Staff

Join us every week to meet our Summer Camp Staff

Amanda White

Head Female Counselor

Where are you from?   Aiken, SC

Where do you go to school?   Clemson University

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Six years ( four years on staff and two years                                                                                                volunteering and working in the kitchen)

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   My first talent show

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Swim Period and High Ropes

What is your favorite camp meal?   Grilled Chicken Sandwiches and Gravatt squares

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Sarah Bowers

What is your favorite night activity?   Jurassic Classic

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Beyond all words

What do you want to be when you grow up?   Artist

Otto Williams

Counselor

Where are you from?   Aiken, SC

Where do you go to school?   Will be in the military and studying at Auburn University

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Three years

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   On the last night of ROC when I got a camper                                                                                                                       through a difficult time

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Swim Period

What is your favorite camp meal?   Corn dog nuggets

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Simons Mcglone, Winston Collins,                                                                                                                                and Griffin Darby

What is your favorite night activity?   Jurassic Classic

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Amazing

What do you want to be when you grow up?   Game Warden

Finley Buchanan

Counselor

Where are you from?   Greenville, SC

Where do you go to church?   St. Peter's Episcopal Church

Where do you go to school?   Furman University

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   9 years

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?    My last night as a camper we went out to                                                                                                  the pit to have our own tent/cabin campfire

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Canoeing

What is your favorite camp meal?   Baked Ziti

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Hallie Carde, Darby Thompson,                                                                                                                                  Sarah Bowers

What is your favorite night activity?   Manhunt

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Lively

What do you want to be when you grow up?   Art therapist

Simons Mcglone

Assistant Director                                                                                                                                               Director of Leadership and Development

Where are you from?   Augusta, Ga

Where do you go to church?  St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Where do you go to school?   Georgia Southern University

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Fifteen years

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   The week I spent being counselor for Tent One

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   High Ropes

What is your favorite camp meal?   Pizza and Corn

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Thomas Coleman and Scott                                                                                                                                               McNeely

What is your favorite night activity?   Talent Show

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Love

What do you want to be when you grow up?   Businessman that owns my own construction                                                                                                                               company

Danielle Steger

Counselor

Where are you from?   Irmo, SC

Where do you go to church?   Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church

Where do you go to school?   University of South Carolina

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Nine years

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?   Seeing a shooting star at shalom circle as a                                                                                                                              camper

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Canoeing

What is your favorite camp meal?   Grilled Chicken Sandwiches

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Hallie Carde

What is your favorite night activity?  The Dance

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Fellowship

What do you want to be when you grow up?   Math Teacher

Hayne Floyd

Head Male Counselor

Where are you from?   Aiken, SC

Where do you go to church?   Cedar Creek Church

Where do you go to school?   Clemson University

How long have you been going to Gravatt?   Eleven years

What is your favorite memory at Gravatt?    Going on a mud run with David Roth my last                                                                                                                   year as a camper

What is your favorite day activity at camp?   Swim Period

What is your favorite camp meal?   Chicken Fingers and French Fries

Who is a current or past staff member that you look up to?   Hughes Mcglone, Daniel Allen,                                                                                                                                    and Jackson Byrd

What is your favorite night activity?   Capture the Flag or Luau

Describe Gravatt and its ministry in one word.   Relationships

What do you want to be when you grow up?   Mathemagician

 

2015 Atlantic White Cedar Foliage Collections

April 2015 Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides)

Foliage Collections

April 12-18, 2015

Andrew Whittier

Location of 11 Atlantic White Cedar provenances from which foliage was collected in April of 2015 for a genetic diversity study.

 

April 2015 Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) Foliage Collections

April 12-18, 2015

Andrew Whittier

I. Introduction

During the 2013 cone collections of Atlantic White Cedar (AWC) from populations in Florida and Mississippi it was decided that Camcore would also collect foliage from each of the sites visited. This decision was introduced by USFS Region 8 Geneticist Barbara Crane who assisted in the 2013 collections and is the Forest Service cooperator for our AWC conservation efforts.

Foliage collections are being done from most sites from which we have collected or will collect cones in order to investigate patterns of genetic diversity of the species across the range and to compare this diversity to that of our seed collections as an evaluation of our conservation progress. Pursuant to this decision we collected foliage from cone collection sites in New Jersey and Maryland in 2014 and plan to do the same during the 2015 cone collections. Unfortunately we did not anticipate a genetic diversity study in 2012 and did not collect foliage from any of the original provenances collected in the Carolina’s and Virginia. In order to remedy this, in April of 2015 we set out to revisit some of the 2012 collection sites in order to secure foliage from what we have classified as the Southern Atlantic Seed Zone for AWC. During these foliage collections we also took time to explore and collect foliage from new stands in both eastern and western Georgia that we had read about in the literature. Securing foliage, and eventually cones, from this portion of the range will fill in a gap in our collections between South Carolina and the 2013 Gulf Coast collections in the panhandle of Florida and Mississippi.

All together this trip was successful and enjoyable with field work fitting in seamlessly between nearly daily rain showers. Foliage from 10 trees from each of 11 populations in the central portion of the AWC range was collected. On returning to Raleigh all foliage was shipped to the National Forests Genetics Lab in Placerville, CA for DNA extraction. From the 5 sites visited in Georgia I feel good about fall 2015 cone collections from 3 sites. In the eastern part of the state Fort Gordon should be targeted for a 2015 cone collection. In western Georgia cone collections are recommended at the TNC Fort Perry site, and the Pipes property along Little Whitewater Creek.

From the majority of sites visited new cone development was evident with spent catkins commonly found on trees. Similar to our conservation work with other domestic species, AWC cones on this trip were much more prevalent on trees with exposure. It was reassuring to see immature new cones on AWC trees in mid-April. During April of 2014 we explored AWC stands in New England and found we had visited too early to observe new cones. If cone development at the 11 sites visited in April of 2015 is an indicator of cone status across the range we should have successful cone collections in New England as well as Georgia in 2015. In July of 2015 I will explore stands in New England and the mid-Atlantic in order to determine which sites are suitable for cone collections during the fall. It will be interesting to investigate thehealth and cone production at the more northern AWC sites after an abnormally long, cold, and wet winter.

Foliage collections went very smooth and we are appreciative to our contacts at each site for assisting and granting us permission to complete this project. Specifically, thanks are extended to Bryan Poovey at the Great Dismal Swamp in VA, Brian Van Druten with the Alligator River NWR, Ed Correy with NC State Parks, Steven Maharrey on the Croatan National Forest,Michael Juhan with Fort Gordon in GA, Michele Elmore with The Nature Conservancy in Georgia, western Georgia private landowners Victor Prevatt, Clarissa Pipes, Martin Cozart, and John Frazer, Thomas Coleman with the Bishop Gravatt Center, Stan Hutto with SC State Parks, and Brady Beck with NC Sandhills Game Lands.

II. Methodology

Foliage collections were completed over the course of one week in mid-April of 2015. In total 13 sites were visited in 4 states. At each site material was collected from 10 trees with the majority of trees being located 100 meters or greater from their nearest neighbor. I attempted to sample from Camcore cone mother trees whenever possible but could only positively ID 6 of our pedigree tags. From each sampled tree I took four 6 inch long branch tips with healthy green foliage. Collections were done via pole and hand pruners. Samples were labeled with provenance abbreviations and sequentially with no trees being marked in the field. Due to a miscount in the field there are no trees in the 051-060 range in this collection. Samples from each tree were placed in plastic Ziploc bags and later sent to the USDA National Forest Genetics Lab in Placerville California for DNA extraction. Foliage collections using this methodology will be hopefully repeated during the fall of 2015 at sites in New England and the mid-Atlantic in order to capture foliage from sites across the northern portion of the species range.

III. Provenance Collection Data

11. Gravatt Center

Provenance Name & Number: Gravatt Center (7)

County & State: Aiken, SC

Country: USA

Latitude: N 3344.4

Longitude: W 8135.0

Elevation: 133m

Location

Bishop Gravatt Center is located approximately 45 southwest of Columbia, SC. From Columbia head west (towards Augusta) on I-20 to exit 29/Wire Road, head north off the exit ramp. Drive one mile before turning left onto Kedron Church Road. Follow Kedron for 0.75 miles to Camp Gravatt Road. Take Camp Gravatt Road 0.75 miles into camp center.

Site Notes

It was good to return to Bishop Gravatt Center and hike around their property. After checking in with Program Director Thomas Coleman I headed over to the Sparkleberry Trail. I was again impressed with the number and size of AWC trees located along the tributary draining into the lake. In talking with Thomas it was mentioned that the February 2014 ice storm that effected nearby Fort Gordon had done extensive damage to the AWC here. During my short hike Iobserved what he was talking about. Even with the damage here I was able to easily secure foliage from 10 individual trees.

While walking the trail it was interesting to contrast the dense understory on the swampy lakeside of the trail with the open and burnt longleaf stands on the drier opposite side of the trail. Once I got closer to the lake I was able to find more AWC trees with exposure and cones, both old and new. The spacing of the first few trees collected was a bit closer than 100 meters as I underestimated the number of trees here. Tree 100 occurred on the backside of the lake and had been mowed back to inadvertently look like a hedged seedling. Even with the small height I was able to secure enough healthy foliage to collect. Had I realized there were more trees on the backside of the lake I would have likely skipped this tree. I did not collect any foliage from the trees along the powerline cut from which we collected cones from in 2012. On heading back to the truck I ran into Roy and we chatted for a bit. During this talk Roy mentioned that the AWC around the office was planted and he was uncertain of its origin.

Heirloom Vegetables in the Gravatt Garden

This spring at Gravatt will be growing even more heirloom varieties in our garden.  Heirloom vegetables are defined in several ways. Some consider heirlooms to be any vegetable cultivars that have been grown for a certain length of time. Other people consider vegetables to be truly heirlooms only if being passed down by a family or group has preserved them. Heirlooms are always open-pollinated.

Here is a taste of some of the varieties that will be planted this spring and summer.  If you would like to enjoy some of these delicious vegetables, don't wait to join Gravatt's CSA

 

White Wonder CUCUMBER Southern heirloom, pre- 1925. 'White Wonder' is an old variety that matures to an ivory white color. The 7-inch fruit are easy see at harvest.

'Lemon'  Cucumber produces many lemon-colored and lemon-shaped fruit on fast-growing vines.

Cow Horn OKRA Pre 1865 Cow Horn produces larger pods than most okra but should be harvested young and tender. Best time to pick Cow Horn is at 6" but can remain spineless, crunchy and tender up to 10" long. This old heirloom dates all the way back to the early 1900's when first discovered. The twisted shape of the okra somewhat resembles the horns of a cow. Use shorter more tender pods for pickling or longer pods are great for gumbo! First flowers will start to appear within 45 days with okra pods soon to follow.

Bloomsdale Spinach – Pre 1908

Lucullus Swiss Chard - Introduced about 1914. Named after the Roman general Lucius Lucullus (pronounced "lu-kul-us") who was renowned for his splendid banquets.

 Southern Giant Curled MUSTARD - Pre 1880,  An old heirloom from the Southern U.S. and makes a mighty swell mess of greens.

Yellow Crookneck – introduced about 1700

Moon and Stars - [Early 1900 family heirloom from Georgia. Introduced 1987 by SESE. Years ago, a melon of this description was routinely shipped from Bermuda to some southern states around Christmas time.] •'Moon & Stars' is another heirloom from the Amish. These 15- to 30- pounds melons have sweet red-pink flesh. The dark green rind is covered with bright yellow spots. The leaves of the plants are also spotted.

Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce - This heirloom dates back to 1850!

Deer Tongue Lettuce is a pre-1900 heirloom that is named for its pointed leaves and thick mid-rib. It is heat-tolerant and slow-bolting.

Calico Crowder is a medium-sized, heirloom, climbing crowder pea, white with maroon splotches, good fresh or dried. 70 days

Peanuts – Carolina Black[Introduced 1999 by SESE from seed sent by Derek Morris.] One of the varieties grown during the 1800s was the African peanut (also known as the N. Carolina peanut). It may have been a black peanut, possibly the same as ‘Carolina Black.’ According to food historian William Woys Weaver, the black peanut may have been used as a substitute for Black Bambarra (African ground nut) by the black community. Black Bambarra is important in African folk medicine as an aphrodisiac. The N. Carolina climate won’t support black Bambarra, but black pea- nuts grow there without difficulty. Carolina Black produces sweet-tasting, black-skinned peanuts that are slightly larger than Spanish peanuts.

tomato.jpg

Spring is Finally Here!

Winter is gone and the sun and warm days are back. The flowers are blooming and the trees are starting to bud.

Here at Gravatt this is a very important time for wildlife, such as deer, birds, and insects. One insect in particular that is special here at camp are the bees. Gravatt has one hive of honey bees. The bees help the plants and trees bloom and also love to be in the garden. We take great pride in our bees because they play such an important role for the plant life here at Gravatt. We hope to soon be harvesting honey in the near future.

Winston Collins, Farm & Program Intern

5 Tips for Making the Perfect Cinnamon Buns

Here in the kitchen at Gravatt, one of our favorite things to make for breakfast is homemade cinnamon rolls. Who doesn’t love a warm, gooey treat slathered with icing for breakfast? Here are some tips we have learned on how to make the some of the best cinnamon rolls around:

  1. Take time and be patient. I’m not sure about anyone else, but this is one of the hardest things for me when it comes to making different breads and pastries. Once the dough comes together, it is incredibly difficult to have to sit and wait for it to double in size. But the wait is worth it! Letting your dough rise for the full amount of time improves the texture and overall flavor of it.
  2. Take care of your yeast! Yeast is a finicky thing and can be hard to figure out, but with the right temperature it can be mastered! An accurate temperature allows the yeast to activate and ferment properly. If the temperature is too low, it will create a sticky dough and if it is too hot, the yeast will die. So an ideal temperature would be between 105 F and 125 F.
  3. Thinner dough = more flavor. When rolling out the dough, don’t be afraid to make it thin. The thinner the dough, the more cinnamon and sugar swirls there will be after you roll and cut it. So they will be even more delicious!
  4. “More butter, more better!” This applies to the filling, and all the ingredients that go into it! Don’t be afraid to add too much of anything – adding a “Paula Deen amount” of butter will keep the rolls moist and tender and some extra cinnamon and sugar never hurt anybody, right? The key here is to make a mess. When rolling up the dough, you definitely want to see butter oozing out the sides. Another tip for the filling is to just make it your own. Add pecan pralines, chocolate chips, or dried fruit for some delicious and different flavor complexities.
  5. A yummy icing/glaze makes the cinnamon roll. I think the icing may be one of my favorite parts about cinnamon rolls. There are lots of different kinds that you can make, like complicated cream cheese frostings or fancy maple and coffee cream glazes, but I just prefer a simple vanilla icing. All it takes is a little vanilla extract, heavy whipping cream, and powdered sugar. Whisk them all together and drizzle it over hot cinnamon rolls right out the oven and you can’t go wrong.

Here is an awesome recipe from the Food Network

Yummy cinnamon rolls ready to go into the oven!

that we use here in the kitchen for you to try at home!

Cinnamon Roll Recipe:

½ cup milk

1 ¼-ounce packet of active dry yeast (or 2 ¼ teaspoons)

¼ sugar

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 large egg yolk

1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla extract

2 ¾ cups All Purpose Flour, with more for dusting

¾ teaspoon of salt

Filling: 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, softened

1/3 cup of sugar

2 tablespoons of cinnamon

  1. Warm ½ cup of water and the milk in a saucepan over low heat until a thermometer reads 105 F to 110 F. Remove from the heat and sprinkle the yeast on top, then sprinkle with a pinch of sugar; set aside, undisturbed, until foamy (about five minutes).
  2. Whisk the melted butter, egg yolk, and vanilla into the yeast mixture until combined. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, the remaining sugar, and the salt together. Make a well in the center, then add the yeast mixture and stir with a wooden spoon to make thick and slightly sticky dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until soft and elastic, about 6 minutes. Shape into a ball.
  3. Brush a large bowl with melted butter. Add the dough, turning it to coat lightly with the butter. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise at room temperature until the dough has doubled in size, about an hour and fifteen minutes.
  4. Turn the dough out of the bowl and knead briefly to release excess air; re-form into a ball and return to the bowl. Lightly butter a large piece of plastic wrap and lay it directly on the surface of the dough. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least four hours – overnight.
  5. To make the rolls: Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish. Whisk together the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a 10×18 inch rectangle. Spread the butter over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border on one of the long sides. Top with the cinnamon and sugar. Tightly roll the dough into an 18 inch log, then slice with a serrated knife. This should make approximately 12 rolls. Place the rolls in the prepared pan and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Set them in a warm place to rise until they are doubled in size  (about an hour and ten minutes).
  6. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Uncover the rolls until they spring back when touched, ~25 – 30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes in the pan before serving. Don’t forget to drizzle them with the glaze!