SE Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference Concludes Today

Web AdminFlorida, Fruit, Georgia, South Carolina, Top Posts, Vegetables

This year’s virtual Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference ends today with hopes of returning to an in-person format in 2022. Charles Hall, Executive Director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, believes the educational sessions that were offered over the course of the three-day event are invaluable for producers this year and moving forward in upcoming growing seasons. …

2021 Value Added Producer Grants from USDA

Web AdminSouth Carolina, Top Posts

According to The South Carolina Grower, the USDA is accepting applications for Value Added Producer Grants. The applications are due by March 22, 2021. Click below for the application templates: fy2021 Planning Grant ToolkitDownload fy2021 Working Capital Grant ToolkitDownload According to the application, “The purpose of the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program is to help U.S. agricultural producers enter into …

Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates

Web AdminSouth Carolina, Top Posts

Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update-1/4/21 Posted on January 4, 2021 by Justin Ballew Happy New Year! We hope everyone had a great holiday season and is off to a good start in 2021. We have several virtual grower …

S.C. Farmers Can Apply Jan. 1 to Grow Hemp in 2021

Web AdminHemp, South Carolina, Top Posts

COLUMBIA — The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) will accept applications for hemp farming permits for the 2021 growing season from Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, 2021. The state’s Hemp Farming Program has grown from 20 farmers in 2018 to 265 farmers in 2020 – and each year, the program has changed as state and federal laws changed. When …

ACRE Entrepreneurs Bring Innovation to Agriculture

Web AdminSouth Carolina, Top Posts

COLUMBIA — The South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE), in partnership with Clemson Cooperative Extension, has awarded seven beginning entrepreneurs a share of $30,000 to help propel their agriculture businesses forward. Sixteen individuals or pairs participated in this year’s ACRE Curriculum, which guides beginning entrepreneurs through developing a business plan, marketing, finance, operational planning, …

Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates

Web AdminSouth Carolina, Top Posts

Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update This will be the final update of 2020. We will pick back up on Jan. 4, 2021. Be sure to keep an eye on the upcoming events tab give us a call if …

More Farms Need Training as Produce Safety Inspections Expand in 2021

Web AdminSouth Carolina, Top Posts

COLUMBIA — South Carolina farmers should prepare for training and on-farm inspections as more small farms become subject to the Produce Safety Rule. The Produce Safety Rule is part of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) passed in 2011. It sets federal regulatory standards for the production, harvest and handling of fruits and vegetables in an effort to prevent …

Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates

Web AdminSouth Carolina, Top Posts

Clemson Extension agents provided updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update 11/30/20 Coastal Zack Snipes reports, “After a long Thanksgiving nap, I was able to waddle out in the fields and look at some strawberries. We have had some really good strawberry growing weather especially considering most folks …

South Carolina Growers Reminded About CFAP 2 Deadline

Web AdminCoronavirus, South Carolina, Top Posts

According to the South Carolina Grower, eligible growers are reminded to sign up for the USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2. The deadline is Dec. 11. More than 230 fruit, vegetable, horticulture, and tree nut commodities are eligible for CFAP 2 along with honey, maple sap, floriculture and nursery crops. Check to see if the crops you grow are eligible …

Farm Credit Associations to Help South Carolina Farms Obtain Organic Certification

Web AdminSouth Carolina, Top Posts

COLUMBIA – Two farm credit associations are supporting organic certification for Palmetto State farmers by supplementing a popular grant program offered by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA).   The Organic Certification Cost Share Program uses federal money to reimburse producers and handlers of agricultural products up to 50% of their total allowable organic certification costs, up to a …