© 2024 South Carolina Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

South Carolina Peach Industry Thrives in Summer Heat

Sweet, delicious South Carolina peaches are as good as it gets in the summer.
Tut Underwood/SC Public Radio

  Hot summer nights and high humidity may be annoying to humans, but they’re great for one of the state’s favorite agricultural product: juicy, delicious peaches. Peach farmer Chalmers Carr of Ridge Spring tells us with pride that while Georgia may call itself the “peach state,” his farm alone grows more peaches than the entire state of Georgia. And according to Matt Cornwell of the state Department of Agriculture, researchers are investigating the use of technology such as drones to aid farmers in determining things such as number of peaches on trees, or potential problems with them. Both men want to make sure the whole country has the opportunity to enjoy the sweetness of South Carolina peaches.

Tut Underwood is producer of South Carolina Focus, a weekly news feature. A native of Alabama, Tut graduated from Auburn University with a BA in Speech Communication. He worked in radio in his hometown before moving to Columbia where he received a Master of Mass Communications degree from the University of South Carolina, and worked for local radio while pursuing his degree. He also worked in television. He was employed as a public information specialist for USC, and became Director of Public Information and Marketing for the South Carolina State Museum. His hobbies include reading, listening to music in a variety of styles and collecting movies and old time radio programs.