Quarter Century Green Revolution

Semester Kickoff Event at Cleo Bailey Experiment

Join us for our Spring Semester Kickoff at the Cleo Bailey Experiment in Anderson, SC! This event will be a blend of community connection, hands-on learning, and natural abundance. In addition to the fig tree propagation, we will be starting flowers and other plants for future plantings in the community, focusing on varieties that thrive in Clemson’s climate.

• Date & Location: Cleo Bailey Experiment, Anderson, SC January 24th

• Purpose: This social and educational event will bring together students, community members, and sustainability leaders to share in both conversation and skill-building.

• Activities:

  • Propagation Class: Learn how to propagate fig trees with hands-on instruction and take home your own cuttings. We'll also start flowers and other plants for public plantings this season.

  • Guest Speakers: Gain insights on regenerative practices and the importance of local food systems.

Why Cleo Bailey?

The Cleo Bailey Experiment (CBE) is a powerful example of what thoughtful community-driven spaces can accomplish. Originally a historic schoolhouse, CBE has been transformed into a hub for urban agriculture, education, and local resilience.

• The CBE Oasis Garden produced nearly 3,000 pounds of fresh produce in 2023, feeding approximately 100 families while offering educational experiences through its raised public garden beds. Due to Drought CBE only produced 2,500 lbs in 2024. Nevertheless, we expect 2025 to be a record breaking year!

• CBE embodies a model of Cultivating natural abundance—demonstrating how community spaces can restore both soil health and community well-being.

• The space also hosts the Blight2Beauty initiative, transforming underutilized areas into vibrant, art-filled community assets.

Exciting News at The Cleo Bailey Experiment!

After years of Blood, Sweat, and Tears The Cleo Bailey Experiment Has Power!!

Post-Event Cross-Pollination Social Gathering at Carolina Bauernhaus Brewing

After wrapping up the event at Cleo Bailey, we’ll continue the day with a casual cross-pollination social gathering at Carolina Bauernhaus Brewing in Anderson. This is a great chance to deepen connections and experience another local gem dedicated to sustainability.

• Purpose: Foster community connections while supporting a local business that champions regenerative practices and collaboration.

• Why Carolina Bauernhaus?

  • They use locally grown ingredients and partner with regional farms practicing organic and regenerative agriculture.

  • The brewery showcases terroir through wild fermentation with native yeasts and bacteria, emphasizing the beauty of local ecosystems.

  • Carolina Bauernhaus also produces secondary farm products like pickled goods, further supporting local agriculture.

Spotlight on Carolina Bauernhaus Brewing & David Thornton

Carolina Bauernhaus Brewing, co-owned by David Thornton, exemplifies the power of local partnerships in regenerative agriculture. David, a Clemson Biosystems Engineering graduate, applies his background to both his farm and the brewery, focusing on closed-loop systems, biodiversity, and soil health.

• David’s Regenerative Focus:

  • He actively practices regenerative agriculture on his personal farm.

  • His brewing approach reflects the same values, using locally sourced, organic ingredients and fermentation methods that honor biodiversity. David has a professional and personal background in what he calls 'bioprospecting'—the exploration of biological resources for commercially valuable compounds. For example, during his tenure at Clemson University's Musser Fruit Research Center, he extracted wild yeast from the pollen sacs of bees to analyze and utilize in fermentation processes. This innovative approach reflects his commitment to integrating natural biodiversity into his brewing practices.

• Why It Matters:

  • By supporting Carolina Bauernhaus, we contribute to a healthier, more sustainable food system where small farms and regenerative practices thrive.

Propagation & Expansion Plans for the Semester

Our work this spring extends beyond events! We’re launching a major propagation project with seed-starting at Cleo Bailey beginning January 24th. We’ll be starting impactful plants for public benefit, including Fig Tree’s and Lavender, chosen for their soil-building, medicinal, and ecological properties.

What's Next:

• Collaboration: We will continue starting plants for this year with Cleo Bailey as the proper planting dates come to pass. This partnership between S4S and Cleo Bailey will be a force multiplier for Biodiversity in our region.

• Expanding Plantings: The plants will support expansions at Hunnicutt Food Forest, and possibly new parks developed with the City of Clemson Sustainability Committee.

Join us as we cultivate abundance together—one tree, one seed, and one community at a time!