OLAR, S.C. — South Carolina State’s 1890 Research and Extension farm in Olar had a visit from the Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture.
During the visit, the program leaders showed off new AI drone technology that is being used for sustainable agriculture.
Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small says things like cover crops can impact farmers with limited resources.
“South Carolina State is one of the few recipients of a partnership for climate smart commodities grants and what’s so important about what they’re doing when I heard them talking about it,” said Torres Small. “Every time they talked about farmers and the impact that it will have on farmers in terms of if you’re a small grower being able to work with other small growers to provide that supply.”
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Zachary Jordan is the farm manager and he says the work they are doing is important for longevity of farmers throughout the state who are not able to farm full time.
“They’re doing other things they’re not full-time farming,” said Jordan. “So if we can help them maximize their profitability then to me that means that farm stay a farm. There’s a change that it’s not going to go away because they can’t turn a profit.”
Next spring a 20,000 square foot facility called Midlands Agriculture Research and Education Center will be added to the farm.
Dr. Lamin Drammeh is the associate vice president for SC State public service and agriculture.
He says this new facility will help South Carolina farmers sell their product.
“We are looking ten fifteen years from now where farmers can come down here and not only get the proof of concept but have an idea of how do I package my produce to be able to sell to the local convenience store,” said Dr. Drammeh. “How can I get certificates on this farm so I would be able to sell at Piggly Wiggly, Walmart and other store out there. And how can I partner with somebody else to come here as a co-op and we can come and process our produce package and ship them out.”
The USDA will be funding the center that will be opening in the spring of 2025.