SC agribusinesses to share $200,000 in funding
A South Carolina banana grower and a tomato producer are among the 13 agribusiness entrepreneurs who will share $200,000 in newly announced funding.
The ventures will be supported through the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE).
Founded in 2018, ACRE identifies and nurtures emerging agribusinesses in the Palmetto State. Finalists for the program’s Advanced Entrepreneurship Program were scored by a panel of judges based on business plans, a video presentation and a demonstrated history of business success.
“South Carolina’s agribusiness entrepreneurs keep finding new ways to surprise and impress me. This year’s entrepreneurs are pushing the agribusiness industry forward in so many ways, from developing new crops for the state to serving new clients, including other farms,” Kyle Player, ACRE executive director, said in a news release. “I’m so glad ACRE can shine a spotlight on these agribusinesses.”
In addition to funding research and connecting agribusinesses with resources, ACRE partners with Clemson Cooperative Extension to train and mentor entrepreneurs and prepare them to seek advanced award funding.
The agribusinesses receiving funding are:
- Carolina Bananas, a Charleston County banana grower, will extend its production and sale of cold-hardy banana plants.
- Kindlewood Farms (Colleton County), a diversified produce farm known for tomatoes, will acquire another high tunnel to better serve its Lowcountry restaurant clients.
- Veteran-owned Billue Family Farm (Aiken County) will develop its hay bale business, which serves small farms.
- Relinoca Farms, a veteran-owned Sumter County farm specializing in native landscaping plants, will build a retail and education facility.
- Old McCaskill’s Farm, an agritourism farm in Sumter County, will develop a line of freeze-dried MRE-style foods grown and processed on the farm.
- Livingston Farms, a sustainable produce farm in Orangeburg County, will build a bathroom facility and procure internet access.
- Bushels and Bags Farm of Fairfield County, a diversified produce farm serving the Midlands, will cover supply costs, including drip irrigation, to increase organic vegetable production.
- Anderson County flower farm Harvest Moon Farm and Flower will convert an existing yurt to a farm store and add a U-pick flower field.
- J&E Homestead, a fiber mill and farm in Lancaster County, will procure new spinning equipment.
- Roots and Shoots Nursery will expand its Charleston County nursery specializing in native landscaping plants.
- Set In Stone Sustainability Farm (Fairfield County) is developing an agriculture education program to teach food literacy and STEM to schoolchildren.
- Merry Mixon Christmas Tree Farm, a family farm in Chesterfield County, will improve parking and entry infrastructure.
