Press Releases

South Carolina Department of Agriculture Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner Media Contact: Eva Moore, 803-734-2196, emoore@scda.sc.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 2, 2020 SC’s State Hemp Plan Receives Federal Approval 350 Apply to Farm Hemp in 2020 COLUMBIA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved South Carolina’s Hemp Farming State Plan on the same day the application period ended for 2020 hemp farming permits. Some… read more ›

South Carolina Department of Agriculture Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner Media Contact: Eva Moore, 803-734-2196, emoore@scda.sc.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 31, 2020 South Carolina Seeks Soybean Farmers for United Soybean Board COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Soybean Board is looking for soybean farmers interested in filling South Carolina’s regular and alternate positions on the United Soybean Board, which will become vacant in December 2020.… read more ›

South Carolina Department of Agriculture Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner Media Contact: Eva Moore, 803-734-2196, emoore@scda.sc.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 31, 2020 Federal Relief Bill Offers Help for South Carolina Agriculture COLUMBIA – Last week, Congress and President Trump approved a new bipartisan aid package to address the expanding COVID-19 pandemic. The total relief package includes roughly $2 trillion to bolster the US economy… read more ›

South Carolina Department of Agriculture Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner Media Contact: Eva Moore, 803-734-2196, emoore@scda.sc.gov / Kyle Player, 803-734-2324, kplayer@scda.sc.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 23, 2020 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program Seeks Applicants  COLUMBIA – The Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE), an initiative of the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, is now accepting applications for its spring Entrepreneurship Program. The competitive program is aimed at… read more ›

South Carolina Department of Agriculture Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner Media Contact: Eva Moore, 803-734-2196, emoore@scda.sc.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 20, 2020 Department of Agriculture Closes Offices to Public, Farmers Markets Remain Open COLUMBIA – In response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, and in accordance with Gov. Henry McMaster’s March 19 executive order, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture is closing all physical office locations… read more ›

South Carolina Department of Agriculture Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner Media Contact: Eva Moore, 803-734-2196, emoore@scda.sc.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 19, 2020 Agriculture Commissioner: Food and Fiber Industries Are Essential During Emergency COLUMBIA – Agriculture, food production and food distribution are essential industries that provide food and fiber for all and play a critical role in the state's economy. Never is this more true than… read more ›