Produce operations among recipients of entrepreneurship funding

A program designed to support agriculture entrepreneurship has awarded $215,000 in grants to a dozen operations, including a produce farm which will use its funding to develop a dried ground turmeric product line.

The South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE) awarded grants to 12 state businesses as part of its Advanced Entrepreneurship program.

A record 47 entrepreneurs applied to the Advanced program this year. The selected finalists pitched to a panel of judges on May 13 and were scored based on their business plans, a five-minute video presentation and a demonstrated history of business success, according to a news release.

The awardees will also receive access to a network of business advisors, as well as professional assistance with further state and federal grant applications. 

“These entrepreneurs show the diversity and the impact of South Carolina agribusiness,” S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers said in the release. “I’m thrilled to see so many innovative approaches to feeding South Carolinians and teaching people about the importance of farming.”

The awardees include animal agriculture, specialty food producers and produce farms:

• Spade and Clover Gardens grows produce in Berkeley County, offering a variety of specialty crops to area restaurants and retail, including six varieties of turmeric. The farm will develop its dried ground turmeric product line, using ACRE funds to support equipment, packaging, branding and labor.

• Charleston County-based Jeremiah Farm & Goat Dairy will use ACRE funds to outfit a Makers Cottage to support its agritourism educational offerings. The farm will also fence a wooded lot to support a silvopasture rotational grazing system for its goats.

• Elf Leaf Farm, a Greenville County agritourism farm offering lavender, blueberries, tea and cut flowers, will use ACRE funds to improve wheelchair access to its facilities, as well as upgrade its kitchen to be able to offer food on site. 

• Old Mill Apiary, a beekeeping operation in Chester County, will establish a compliant honey processing and value-added production facility for use by area beekeepers seeking to market their honey and products.

• Hickory Bluff Farms, a Berkeley County produce and agritourism farm, will build out its traditional cane syrup production for wholesale and retail distribution.

• Wet Knot Farms will build a shipping container-based wash/pack facility, cold room and storage center at its Greenville County farm. The farm grows vegetables and cut flowers with an emphasis on salad greens and market bouquets, serving area farmers markets and food hubs.

• Helena Hills Farm will expand its Jasper County cut flower and agritourism operation.

• As part of its move to a new, larger site within Horry County, Thompson Farm and Nursery will build open-air pole barns to shelter its agritourism operations, including retail space for pumpkins and produce, classroom space for field trips and a covered seating area for festivals and seasonal events.

• Oconee County-based South Carolina Cut Flower Growers Marketing Cooperative will set up a Midlands cooler hub to coordinate distribution statewide.

• Ewe on the Farm, a veteran-owned farm that integrates agritourism, agricultural education, livestock production and value-added food products in Cherokee County, will upgrade its equipment and kitchen to enhance classes and production.

• Lafleur’s Farm, a veteran-owned farm in Clarendon County, specializes in fruit and vegetable production, eggs, honey and value-added products. The farm will expand its U-pick operation and construct a farm stand and cold storage.

• The Purple Mushroom, an urban mushroom farm specializing in culinary mushrooms and value-added agricultural products, will expand production and processing efficiency for its line of recycled mushroom substrate soil amendments.

ACRE was founded in 2018 to help identify and nurture new ideas and businesses in the Palmetto State’s agribusiness sector. The program has awarded more than $1.8 million to 163 agricultural entrepreneurs, funded several industry-driven research projects and led dozens of business workshops throughout the state.

ACRE also partners with Clemson Extension to offer an ag entrepreneur training program. Applications for the fall program open July 27. To learn more, visit acre-sc.com.