Farm Aid Advisory Board Members Announced
South Carolina Department of Agriculture
Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner
Media Contact: Stephanie Sox, 803-734-2196, ssox@scda.sc.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 3, 2016
Farm Aid Advisory Board Members Announced
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The initial meeting of the South Carolina Farm Aid Advisory Board was held June 2, 2016 at the Phillips Market Center, West Columbia. Committee members discussed the application process, criteria for eligibility, and an implementation and training plan.
The Farm Aid legislation provided for the formation of an advisory board to make recommendations to the South Carolina Department of Agriculture in the administration of the grant. The Advisory Board will dissolve within forty-five days of the completion of grant awards, but no later than June 30, 2017.
Members of the advisory committee are: Martin Eubanks (ex-officio) – South Carolina Department of Agriculture, Meredith Cleland – South Carolina Department of Revenue, Dr. Kathy Coleman – Clemson University, Dr. Delbert Foster – South Carolina State University, Neal Baxley – South Carolina Farm Bureau representative, Kelly Wiseman – ArborOne Farm Credit, Matthew Flemming – Midland Agency Insurance and Walter Dantzler – agricultural commodities representative.
To be eligible for the grant, farmers must have:
· experienced a verifiable loss of affected agricultural commodities of at least 40 percent as a result of the October 2015 flooding,
· a farm located in a USDA disaster declared county and
· a United Stated Department of Agriculture-Farm Service Agency issued farm number.
Applicants will also be required to sign an affidavit, under penalty of perjury, certifying that loss information is accurate. Clemson Extension will host regional training sessions.
“Over the next few months, we will work together to get funds in the hands of farmers as quickly and equitably as possible,” said Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers. “This effort is an outstanding example of collaboration between the leading agricultural organizations in our state.”
Look for more information soon at county Clemson Extension, Farm Bureau and other agribusiness offices, in the Market Bulletin and on the SCDA website (agriculture.sc.gov).
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