Press Releases

South Carolina Department of Agriculture Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner Media Contact: Katherine Helms, 803-734-5229 / Eva Moore, 803-734-2196, emoore@scda.sc.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 31, 2019 Disaster Declaration Will Help Some SC Farmers Affected by Drought COLUMBIA — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has designated six counties in South Carolina as natural disaster areas due to drought. They are: Bamberg, Calhoun,… 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 – October 22, 2019 Rural Broadband Investment Will Help South Carolina Farms ORANGEBURG – Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has invested $9,750,000 in high-speed broadband infrastructure that will create or improve rural e-Connectivity for 3,911 rural… read more ›

South Carolina Department of Agriculture Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner Media Contacts: Eva Moore, 803-734-2196, emoore@scda.sc.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 18, 2019 McCall Farms Expansion Will Create 140 New Jobs  COLUMBIA — McCall Farms, the South Carolina-based manufacturers of Margaret Holmes, Glory Foods, Peanut Patch Boiled Peanuts, Bruce’s Yams, Allens, Allens Popeye, Veg-All and Princella, today announced plans to expand its existing operations in Florence County. The $50 million investment is expected to… read more ›

South Carolina Department of Agriculture Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner Media Contacts: Katherine Helms, 803-734-5229, khelms@scda.sc.gov; Eva Moore, 803-734-2196, emoore@scda.sc.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 7, 2019 South Carolina Farms Showing Effects as Drought Worsens COLUMBIA — Last week, the U.S. Drought Monitor moved parts of six South Carolina counties into the D3, or “extreme drought” category, confirming what farmers in the state already know: The dry conditions… read more ›

South Carolina Department of Agriculture Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner Media Contacts: Eva Moore, 803-734-2196, emoore@scda.sc.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 25, 2019 Welcome Autumn at the Pee Dee State Farmers Market’s Fall Plant and Flower Festival FLORENCE – Ready for fall? The Pee Dee State Farmers Market holds its annual Fall Plant & Flower Festival October 4-6. Visitors can shop for plants, garden… read more ›

South Carolina Department of Agriculture Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner Media Contacts: Eva Moore, 803-734-2196, emoore@scda.sc.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 20, 2019 Statement Regarding SLED’s Sept. 19 Arrest COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Agriculture takes seriously the integrity of the Hemp Farming Program. Hemp is legal within the parameters of program, which SCDA administers. We are not a law enforcement agency… read more ›