About Us
SWCS is a community of more than 2,000 conservation leaders that represent nearly every academic discipline and many different public, private, and nonprofit institutions around the world. Our skilled members include researchers, administrators, planners, policymakers, technical advisors, teachers, students, farmers, and ranchers, all who share the common goal of building a more sustainable future. In South Carolina our membership includes employees from Soil and Water Conservation Districts, NRCS, Extension, land trusts, and more.
SWCS members in South Carolina lead and collaborate to tackle critical conservation issues of regional and local significance. Chapter events and initiatives engage members with a conservation community, provide a network of experts in the area, and educate local leaders regarding environmental issues in their communities.
Our South Carolina Chapter was the recipient of the 2025 Chair's Leadership Award. Shown to the right is chapter President Lacy Barnette receiving the award on behalf of the chapter from SWCS Executive CEO Clare Lindahl.
South Carolina Leadership
President
Lacy Barnette
Dr. Barnette completed her Ph.D. at the University of South Carolina’s Soil Health Lab. She previously earned her B.S. in Math and Science Education and her Masters of Earth and Environmental Resource Management. She works on the Horticulture Team at Clemson Extension and is passionate about combining her knowledge of environmental science and background in education for accurate and effective science communication, particularly in agriculture. Her research interests and experiences include science communication, stakeholder engagement, regenerative agriculture, and soil health. lmbarne@clemson.edu
Vice President
Ricardo St. Aime
Dr. St. Aime is originally from Port-au-Prince, Haiti where he completed his B.Sc. in crop science at the State University of Haiti. After a decade promoting practices in conservation and urban agriculture with the UN-Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), he realized that a novel approach to agriculture is needed to address the challenges that farmers of his country are facing. He has passion for sustainable agriculture and ecological whole-farm systems with a network approach which led him to a Ph.D. at Clemson University. Ricardo wants to build a research career on climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural practices to fight hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. rstaime@clemson.edu
Secretary
Nick Walker
Ms. Nick Walker is the administrative assistant for Lexington County Soil and Water Conservation District. She is an alumna of the SWCS Emerging Leaders Program and officer for the SC Conservation District Employees Association. nwalkerlswd@gmail.com
Treasurer
Hugh Caldwell
Mr. Hugh Caldwell graduated Blacksburg High in 1960 and Clemson University with a BS in Vocational Agriculture Education in 1965. He began working for USDA-SCS/NRCS in1965 through 1999 and then served as District Manager for Richland County Soil and Water Conservation District through 2009. Upon retirement he volunteered as Associate Commissioner with Lexington SWCD to present. He joined SC Chapter SWCS in January 1969 and served as Secretary-Treasurer January 1974 to December 2025. rhc2943@gmail.com
Past President
Jose Payero
Dr. Payero currently leads the Irrigation Research/Extension program at Clemson University. His research focuses on on-farm agricultural water management, especially related to situations where water is limited. jpayero@clemson.edu