Michael Plumblee

Michael Plumblee’s journey in agronomy is deeply rooted in his upbringing in Lexington, South Carolina. Born into a family with a rich agricultural heritage, Michael was inspired by his elders. His grandfather, a farmer and high school agriculture teacher, and his father, who owned an agricultural irrigation company. Growing up surrounded by these influences, he developed a passion for agriculture early on, always knowing he wanted to pursue a career in agriculture.

Michael’s educational path began at Clemson University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Mechanization and Business in 2013, with a minor in Agronomy. His curiosity and dedication to the field led him to the University of Georgia-Tifton, where he completed a Master of Science degree in Agronomy in 2015, focusing on corn and peanuts. He continued his academic journey at Mississippi State University, earning a Ph.D. in Agronomy with a minor in Entomology in 2018, specializing in cotton research.

Michael serves as an Assistant Professor as well as the Corn and Soybean Extension Specialist at Clemson University. His role is multifaceted, involving the conduction of on-farm trials and demonstrations, presenting research findings through field days, workshops, meetings, social media, newsletters, and editing the Corn and Soybean Production Guides. He also coordinates the Clemson University County Hybrid Demonstration Trials. His research interests are vast and impactful, covering corn and soybean cropping systems, double crop systems, hybrid and variety evaluations, and application technologies, among others. Michael’s work is highly practical, aiming to provide short-term solutions for growers.

Since joining the Science for Success program in 2021, Michael has greatly valued the mentorship and networking opportunities it offers. The program has encouraged him to step out of his comfort zone, particularly in areas like social media and creating video-based media. He has contributed to several national protocols and extension documents and has played a significant role in organizing virtual field days and webinars.

Some of Michael’s notable achievements have been developing a robust Extension and research program focusing on applied corn and soybean research at Clemson University since 2019. He has successfully developed his program by training graduate students, publishing research, and securing competitive grant funds. Michael has also strove to increase his online presence at Clemson by helping redesign Extension websites related to corn and soybean, developed an informative blog for farmers to use, South Carolina Crops Blog, and has edited and published new corn and soybean production guides. Michaels goal is to remain engaged and relevant, ensuring his work positively impacts the agriculture community.

Outside of his professional life, Michael is a devoted family man. He is married to his wife Allison, and they have two daughters Harper and Hazel. They live on a small farm in Blackville, South Carolina. Michael enjoys outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, and gardening. He is deeply involved in his community, serving as the President of his County Farm Bureau, serving on the State Young Farmer and Ranchers Committee, and remaining active in his church.

Michael Plumblee’s journey in agronomy is marked by a blend of academic excellence, professional dedication, and a deep-rooted passion for agriculture. His contributions to Clemson University and the broader agricultural community reflect his commitment to advancing the field and supporting farmers. His story is one of inspiration, hard work, and a continuous drive to make a positive impact in the world of agronomy.

Story by Aleigha Kelly and Isabella Dean.