JODY CHILDS - TRAVELERS REST

WHY - I have lived my entire life in this wonderful state along with many generations of my family. We settled here from the beginning when the Europeans first came over. Over my lifetime, I have enjoyed the benefit of God’s creations in our state. But His creations would not have been left with any resemblance of what He wanted if our forefathers and many in the generations after them had not valued these resources and developed a system by which protection, restoration, conservation and understanding would allow a sustained use by which our citizens who can use our resources for sustenance, recreation and pleasure, while also maintaining these resources for our future generations to do the same. Our SCWF exists to help carry out and cultivate those values and activities. I say cultivate because in our ever-changing world, we have to be flexible enough to modify our actions to move with the flow of nature as it is modified from either natural or man caused changes. I am very motivated and honored to be a part of helping maintain this amazing place from the Mountains-to-the-Sea that I call Home so that our children may experience its pleasure as I have.

BIO - I was born in Greenwood SC in 1963 and, as a child, I did a lot of fishing, small game hunting and other outdoor activities.  Joining the Boy Scouts helped me develop a better understanding of the natural world, and a more conservative attitude towards the environment. After high school, a soccer scholarship allowed me to pursue higher education.  I became a teacher/coach and have enjoyed a long and rewarding career in education.  When I received my master’s degree in science education, I accepted a position as a Natural Resources Environmental Educator with the science center at USCA.  My children, Katelyn and Blake, are the light of my life.  Watching them grow up to love the Lord, their neighbors, and the God given Natural Resource Heritage that we all enjoy and are blessed to borrow from future generations. When we moved up to Travelers Rest, we began some farming, as well as wholesale and retail produce sells.   I love growing food, helping local farmers move their fresh produce to the table, and meeting all the great people along the way. I currently teach Health/PE and I spend a lot of time teaching about healthy living, now I get to show them and others a way to eat healthy locally.  The farm-to-table movement fits well with our SCWF culture.