South Carolina receives $33M federal funding boost for agriculture initiatives

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U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA is making investments that will expand markets for agricultural producers and strengthen American food and agriculture supply chains in 37 states as well as Puerto Rico.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is championing America’s farmers and ranchers by helping to expand businesses, support more robust American supply chains and save jobs,” Vilsack said in a news release. “Today’s investments in agricultural producers and rural entrepreneurs will create better economic opportunities that spur competition and bolster food supply chains across the country. This will result in more affordable prices and choices for consumers, as well as more opportunities and revenue for farmers.”

The announcement was made as part of the inaugural meeting of the new White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience which is part of President Biden’s agenda to bring down costs for American families and increase investment in America’s supply chains critical to economic and national security, the release stated. The funding builds on prior investments made by USDA under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to increase competition, enhance independent meat and poultry and other diversified food processing capacity, strengthen local and regional food systems and expand domestic, innovative fertilizer production.

USDA is making investments in 185 projects worth nearly $196 million to create new and better market opportunities for producers and entrepreneurs, according to the release.

“South Carolina received over $33.2 million to support 18 projects located throughout the state,” said USDA Rural Development South Carolina State Director Saundra Glover in the release.  “These investments will support new and better market opportunities and expand existing opportunities for our rural farmers and ranchers.”

For example, in South Carolina:

• Agricultural Scientific LLC will use a $29.6 million loan through the Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program to help support the development of a large greenhouse in Hampton County, South Carolina.  The funds will be used for Phase I, which is a 35-acre tomato greenhouse and processing facility.  Rural Development is also investing funds through the Business and Industry program.
• Split Creek Farms LLC located in Anderson County, will use a $250,000 Value-Added Producer Grant to provide working capital expenses associated with processing and marketing goat milk into cheeses for wholesale and to sell the raw milk into new markets. This project will create two new jobs and expand the customer base by 50 individuals and eight wholesale businesses.
• Manchester Farms Inc. located in Richland County will use a $250,000 Value-Added Producer Grant to cover working capital expenses associated with processing, storing, transporting, and marketing Halal Quail Eggs throughout South Carolina. This project will create 30 jobs and save 20 jobs in the local area.
• Lowcountry Creamery LLC will use a $250,000 Value-Added Producer Grant to expand the customer base and sales of the pasteurized and flavored milk throughout the regions of South Carolina. The grant funds and matching funds will be used to offset the cost of marketing, labor, supplies, delivery, and utilities.