COLUMBIA, S.C. — The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a $33 million investment to increase agricultural market opportunities in the Palmetto State.
The funding is expected to support 18 projects aimed at supporting rural farmers and ranchers in South Carolina and is part of a nationwide effort to strengthen the food supply chain that includes 37 other states.
Funding for these projects comes from six programs created by the USDA and the Biden-Harris Administration that are designed to create economic opportunities for people and businesses in rural areas. The programs are part of the USDA's transformation of the American food system to "focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America." The programs include:
The projects receiving funds include:
- Agricultural Scientific LLC in Hampton County. $29,610,400 Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program will be used for Phase I of a project which is a 35-acre tomato greenhouse and processing facility.
- Split Creek Farms LLC in Anderson County. $250,000 Value-Added Producer Grant to provide working capital expenses associated with processing and marketing goat milk into cheeses for wholesale and to sell the raw milk into new markets. This project will create two new jobs and expand the customer base by 50 individuals and eight wholesale businesses.
- Manchester Farms, Inc. in Richland County. $250,000 Value-Added Producer Grant will be used to cover working capital expenses associated with processing, storing, transporting, and marketing Halal Quail Eggs throughout South Carolina. This project will create 30 jobs and save 20 jobs in the local area.
- Edisto Honey LLC in Dorchester County. $247,215 Value-Added Producer Grant will be used to increase sales and profits for locally produced raw honey and honey products. Specifically, grant funds will be used to offset the costs of supplies, distribution, and labor. The customer base and revenue will be increased by 10 percent.
- Milky Way Jersey Farm Inc. in Anderson County. $250,000 Value-Added Producer Grant to increase customer base for the pasteurized and flavored milk. Grant funds and matching funds will help offset the cost of labor, supplies, marketing, and distribution.
- Lowland Farms in Charleston County. $247,239 Value-Added Producer Grant to increase processing and marketing of locally produced carrots, beets, and greens. Grant funds and matching funds will be used to offset the cost of labor, marketing, delivery, and supplies. It is expected that this project will increase customer base by 50 percent.
- Colony Craft Bev Co. (High Wire Distilling) in Charleston County. $250,000 Value-Added Producer Grant to cover working capital expenses associated with improving company marketing efforts and brand recognition, non-family labor, and to pay for operational expenses associated with spirit-making and retail sales operations for their 100 percent rye whiskey. It is expected that this project will expand the customer base in different states.
- Lowcountry Creamery LLC in Orangeburg County. $250,000 Value-Added Producer Grant to expand the customer base and sales of the pasteurized and flavored milk throughout the regions of South Carolina.
- Seaside Grown LLC in Beaufort County. $250,000 Value-Added Producer Grant to provide market expansion of the Spicy Bloody Mary Mix drink. It is expected that this project will increase customer base by 80 percent and increase revenue by 60 percent. Grant funds and matching funds will be used to offset costs of supplies, labor, and marketing.
- The Sims Farms LLC in Dorchester County. $49,900 Value-Added Producer Grant to increase sales and marketing of locally produced organic vegetables on this Century Farm. The 50-acre, minority family-owned farm has been around since 1876. Grant funds and matching funds will be used to offset the cost of labor, supplies, and marketing. In addition, this project will increase customer base by 35 percent.
- Bulls Bay Enterprises in Charleston County. $249,135 Value-Added Producer Grant will be used to increase sales and marketing of locally grown clams. Specifically, grant funds will be used to offset costs of labor, packaging, distribution, and marketing.
- Keegan-Filion Farm Inc. in Colleton County. $250,000 Value-Added Producer Grant to offset costs of processing, delivery, marketing, labor, and supplies of its beef products. It is anticipated that this project will expand customer base by 30 percent.
- Roblyn's Neck Trophy Club LLC in Darlington County. $250,000 Value-Added Producer Grant to expand customer base for the locally produced grits and corn meal. Specifically, grant funds and matching funds will be used to offset the cost of labor, supplies, and marketing.
- Barrier Island Oyster Company LLC in Charleston County. $249,900 Value-Added Producer Grant to increase sales of locally grown premium single oysters. Barrier Island Oyster LLC will use the grant funds and matching funds to offset the cost of labor, storage, marketing and delivery. It is expected that this project will increase customer base by 50 percent and increase revenue by 30 percent.
- Lowcountry Fungi LLC in Charleston County. $248,531 Value-Added Producer Grant o increase sales and customer base for locally grown mushrooms. The Lowcountry Fungi LLC will use the grant funds to offset the cost of labor, supplies, marketing and transportation.
- Southern Oaks Jersey Farm & Creamery LLC in Abbeville County. $66,500 Value-Added Producer Grant to increase processing and marketing of locally produced ice creams. It is anticipated that this project will increase customer base by 67 percent and increase revenue by 33 percent.
- Hoss Farms Hodge LLC in Marion County. $49,770 Value-Added Producer Grant to increase marketing and selling of locally grown vegetables in Marion and Charleston counties. Grant funds will be used to offset the cost of labor, marketing and supplies. It is expected that this project will increase revenue by 30 percent and increase customer base by 50 percent.
- Cannon Ag Products LLC in Clarendon County. $249,082 Value-Added Producer Grant to increase processing and marketing of locally produced and shelled lima beans. Cannon Ag Products LLC will use the grant funds and matching funds to offset the cost of shelling, labor, distribution, supplies, and marketing.