Honorees Recognized for their Support of the South Carolina Agriculture Industry
South Carolina Department of Agriculture
Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner
Media Contact: Clint Leach, 803-734-2191, jcleach@scda.sc.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 7, 2017
Honorees Recognized for their Support of the South Carolina Agriculture Industry
COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Advocates for Agriculture held its tenth annual Advocates of the Year Recognition Reception on August 3 to honor two individuals who have shown outstanding commitment to supporting and promoting the state’s agriculture industry. Representative Davey Hiott and Jim Roquemore each received the 2017 Advocate of the Year award.
The public service recipient, Representative Davey Hiott from Pickens, serves as the chairman of the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives. Chairman Hiott has served the people of Dacusville, Liberty, and Pickens in the SC State House since 2005 and has been a great friend to agriculture. He has sponsored legislation that allowed the SC Department of Agriculture to be the regulatory authority for the new Produce Safety Rule and has worked tirelessly to pass legislation to update regulations in the poultry industry.
Jim Roquemore, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Patten Seed Company, also known by trade name, Super-Sod, received the private sector award. His business dates back to 1894 and has grown from a small town general store in Lakeland, GA to a cooperation having a number of sod and seed farms located throughout South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. Among numerous other roles, Jim currently serves as Chairman of the SC Conservation Bank and has been a past Chairman of Palmetto Agribusiness Council, as well as served on the Board of Visitors and Advisory Council of Clemson University. Jim and his wife Karen give their time and energy to many worthwhile community causes.
Ronnie Summers, the SC Advocates for Agriculture President stated, “These two state leaders have consistently been advocates for our state’s agribusiness interest, and this special recognition is well deserved.”
South Carolina Advocates for Agriculture was created in 2005 to assist in marketing and promotion of the State’s agriculture products and the overall agriculture industry. For more information regarding SC Advocates for Agriculture, visit scadvocates4ag.org.
(From left to right) Representative Davey Hiott, Ronnie Summers, and Jim Roquemore
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Honorees Recognized for their Support of the South Carolina Agriculture Industry Press Release