South Carolina Department of Agriculture

Deputy Commissioner Clint Leach joined state leaders for the groundbreaking of Hampton Lumber's new sawmill in Allendale County. This opening marks a significant investment in our state's forestry industry and will create great opportunities for rural South Carolina.

The SCDA Market Development team offers agricultural producers opportunities to co-exhibit in South Carolina pavilions or to share booth space with the SCDA at numerous industry trade shows. Applications for 2026 events are now available! To see which events are offered and to apply, visit https://lnkd.in/eg8MqdTS. Applications are due January 12th, 2026.”

The South Carolina Department of Agriculture will use federal funding to issue $38 million in targeted aid to South Carolina farmers and forest landowners who sustained certain losses and damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024. SCDA is currently creating the program work plan and application in coordination with USDA. As more information about the program is available, it will be posted at agriculture.sc.gov/helene. The page also has a signup link to receive email alerts about the program. Learn more at agriculture.sc.gov/helene and at the USDA press release here: https://lnkd.in/eJqcHmJj

We are quickly approaching this year’s Agricultural Tax Credit Application Deadline and want to ensure that we can answer any questions that you may have while getting your application ready to submit. Through this program, South Carolina provides a possible income tax credit or withholding tax credit to agribusinesses or agricultural packaging operations that increase their products certified as grown in South Carolina by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. Eligibility requirements are listed below: The company must have a base year in which it purchases more than $100,000.00 of agricultural products certified as grown in South Carolina by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. In the following year, the company must increase the number of agricultural units purchased by at least 15% over the base year unit totals. Applications from a company must be submitted no later than September 30th The year in which a company applies must be the year after their increased purchasing year. For example, if the base year is 2023, the increased purchasing year would be 2024, and the application is due September 30th, 2025. Companies that meet these eligibility requirements may claim an income tax credit or a credit against employee withholding.

In South Carolina we prioritize our food and beverages, so much so that we have two recognized state drinks! Did you know that while South Carolina’s official state drink is milk, our state hospitality drink is Sweet Tea? I am happy to be representing South Carolina at the Americas Food and Beverage Show. If you are at the show join me in South Beach, Miami September 10th and 11th, 2025 to learn more about doing business in South Carolina! South Carolina Department of Agriculture Jeffrey DeLung https://lnkd.in/ggMAB5Gh

We're teaming up with Roots & Rain to bring some excellent programming for produce farmers wanting to access new markets. Three of these intensely helpful and informative workshops will be offered across the state. Scan the QR code to register for one near you!

In a profession where independence and self-reliance are ingrained in the culture, knowing how to ask for help can be a challenge. Managing a business, crops, animals, and a personal life is hard on farmers and agribusiness professionals. In this high-stress, often unpredictable profession, caring for your own health and well-being is just as important as farm business. SC farmers and their families can call 1-800-968-8143 and reference "SC AgriWellness" or visit firstsun-agriwellness.com to receive free help with mental health, financial planning, legal advice, elder and adult care, healthy lifestyle coaching, child and family needs, and much more.

For those of you attending the Southern Economic Development Council Annual Conference on Monday, Aug. 11, don't miss this panel! Hear from SCDA's Norris Thigpen and other industry experts about how southern ag drives industry growth.

Meet Sustain SC Board Member Norris Thigpen, Director of the Office of Agribusiness Development at the South Carolina Department of Agriculture    At the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, Norris leads efforts to grow the state’s largest economic sector—agribusiness. Through strategic recruitment, economic development and innovation support, his team helps expand opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs and rural communities. Norris’s background includes roles with the SC Department of Commerce and international development work in Washington, DC.    As a Sustain SC Ex-Officio Board member, Norris shares, “Our state’s natural resources are our greatest asset. Sustain SC plays a critical role in helping us steward those resources in a way that supports both people and prosperity.”    We are thrilled to welcome Norris to our Board!      #SustainSC #Welcome #FacesofSustainSC #BoardMembers #CommerceandConservation

This is a great opportunity for any small agribusiness professionals interested in accessing European markets. Plus, hear SCDA's Michael Cranford discuss resources available through the Southern United States Trade Association.