Clemson Clean Plant Center
The Clemson Clean Plant Center (CCPC) was founded in 2000 and is located in Clemson, SC. The CCPC is a National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) Fruit Tree Center and was re-branded by Dr. Libby Cieniewicz in 2020 (formerly Southeastern Budwood Program under the leadership of Dr. Simon Scott). The mission of the CCPC is to help fruit tree growers in the Southeast U.S. reduce the prevalence of viruses being spread by the propagation of infected material. Now, with continued support from the Peach Councils of South Carolina and Georgia and the NCPN, we provide services to test for and eliminate targeted viruses and virus-like agents of Prunus species and maintain a Foundation collection of Prunus cultivars, primarily with low chilling hour requirements.
Meet the CCPC Staff!
Director – Dr. Elizabeth Cieniewicz
Libby is an Assistant Professor of Plant Virology at Clemson University and oversees all CCPC operations.
Foundation Manager – Brodie Cox
Brodie earned his M.S. from Clemson University in 2020. His responsibilities include managing the Foundation facilities and plots, budwood/seed production and filling orders, and maintaining records of the mother trees in the foundation. Brodie also serves on the NCPN Outreach and Education Committee.
Diagnostics – Garner Powell
Garner earned his B.S. from Clemson University in 2021. He conducts molecular diagnostics on new entries for Foundation, follow-up testing on accessions in virus elimination, and annual retention testing of the Foundation collection. He also works on improving protocols.
Virus Elimination – Dr. Rabia El-Hawaz
Rabia is establishing the newest aspect of the CCPC, virus elimination in Prunus. She is adapting and developing protocols in heat therapy and tissue culture to eliminate viruses from important stone fruit cultivars.