Our focus areas

South Carolina’s farmers should not be limited by outdated or missing infrastructure. Our plan will establish a Regional Agricultural Infrastructure and Innovation Network through public-private partnerships with farmers, local businesses, communities, and our land-grant universities (Clemson and South Carolina State). These regional centers will strengthen food, farming, fishing, and forestry supply chains by expanding cold storage, processing capacity, aggregation facilities, grain handling, and other essential infrastructure. By investing in and researching innovative ways to improve the infrastructure that supports production, processing, and distribution, we can help farmers operate more efficiently, improve the food supply chain in South Carolina, spark local job and economic growth and ensure our state’s agriculture sector remains strong and resilient.

South Carolina farmers produce incredible food, but too often the economic value leaves our state. We will modernize and expand the Certified South Carolina Grown initiative and the State Farmers Markets to strengthen in-state purchasing and connect farmers directly with schools, restaurants, retailers, and state institutions. By building procurement partnerships, cooperative aggregation models, and targeted grant programs for local market development and value-added opportunities, we can create stronger local markets for our farmers. We will also expand our State Farmers Markets to connect producers to local food hubs. Keeping more of the food dollar in South Carolina supports farm viability, strengthens local businesses, and ensures that families have greater access to fresh, locally produced food.

Natural disasters and crises can threaten not only farmers’ livelihoods but also the stability of our food system. We will strengthen South Carolina’s agricultural resilience by establishing emergency response infrastructure, a disaster relief fund, and strategic food reserves that help farms and communities recover quickly after hurricanes and other disasters. Preparing our farms and supply chains for emergencies protects farmers, stabilizes local food access, and ensures that South Carolina remains prepared to feed its people even in times of crisis.

The future of South Carolina agriculture depends on ensuring that young and beginning farmers have the opportunity to succeed. We will launch a Next-Generation Agriculture Initiative that expands access to land, capital, and training for new, young, disadvantaged, and veteran farmers. This includes grants for land acquisition and improvement, expanded technical training and farm apprenticeships, and stronger support for agricultural education programs like FFA and supervised agricultural experiences. By investing in the next generation, we can ensure that South Carolina farms remain productive, innovative, and family-owned for generations to come.

South Carolina’s farmers and rural entrepreneurs are strongest when they can build together. We will incentivize cooperative ownership models that allow farmers, workers, and rural businesses to share infrastructure, access markets, and keep more of the economic value generated by agriculture in their communities. By expanding technical assistance, startup grants, and partnerships with universities and rural development programs, we can support cooperative processing, distribution, marketing, and value-added enterprises across the state. Regenerating community-centered ownership models strengthens rural economies, lowers costs for producers, and ensures the wealth created by South Carolina agriculture stays in the hands of the people who grow our food and steward our land.