The Agriculture Commission of South Carolina was created in 1978 primarily to oversee the administration of the South Carolina Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act.  The Agriculture Commission is responsible for issuance, amendment, or termination of marketing agreements or orders to produce the intended effects of the Act.  The Agriculture Commission maintains the required records, issues notices, conducts hearings, and ensures that all growers have the opportunity to participate in referendums.

The Chairman of the Agriculture Commission is appointed by and serves coterminous with the Governor. One member is appointed by the legislative delegation from each judicial circuit. Representation on the Agriculture Commission is rotated among the counties of the circuit except by unanimous consent of all members of the legislative delegation representing the circuit.  The Chairman of the House and of the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environmental Affairs Committees and the Commissioner of Agriculture all serve as Ex Officio members.


SC Agricultural Commission Members

1st Judicial Circuit

Michael Perry Shirer
Cameron, SC
Calhoun County
Appointed: February 4, 2015
Term Exp: 2019

 

2nd Judicial Circuit

Stevie Still
Olar, SC
Barnwell County
Appointed: January 23, 2020
Term Exp: 2024

 

 

3rd Judicial Circuit

OPEN SEAT
Clarendon, Lee, Sumter, Williamsburg Counties

 

4th Judicial Circuit

OPEN SEAT
Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon and Marlboro Counties

 

5th Judicial Circuit

Wayne Belger
Belger Farms Co. Inc.
Camden, SC
Kershaw County
Appointed: August 23, 2021
Term Exp: 2025

 

6th Judicial Circuit

C. Earl Thrailkill
Fort Lawn, SC
Chester County
Appointed: February 5, 2020
Term Exp: 2024

 

7th Judicial Circuit

Ben M. Gramling, II
Gramling, SC
Spartanburg County
Appointed: June 30, 2007
Term Exp: 2011

 

8th Judicial Circuit

Darren T. Carter
Ninety Six, SC
Greenwood County
Appointed: December 7, 2021
Term Exp: 2025

 

9th Judicial Circuit

Adair M. McKoy, IV
Wadmalaw Island, SC
Charleston County
Appointed: March 7, 2019
Term Exp: 2023

 

10th Judicial Circuit

Bradley Wilson Orr
Anderson, SC
Anderson County
Appointed: February 1, 2019
Term Exp: 2023

 

11th Judicial Circuit

Chalmers R. Carr, III
Ridge Spring, SC
Edgefield County
Appointed: May 2, 2001
Term Exp: 2005

 

12th Judicial Circuit

Michael Gibson
Marion, SC
Marion County
Appointed: March 28, 2008
Term Exp: 2012

 

13th Judicial Circuit

Franklin M. Looper, Jr.
Easley, SC
Pickens County
Appointed: March 13, 1995
Term Exp: 1999

 

14th Judicial Circuit

Ross “Mac” Sanders, Jr.
Helena Island, SC
Beaufort County
Appointed: March 8, 2004
Term Exp: 2008

15th Judicial Circuit

Benjie Andrew
Murrells Inlet, SC
Horry County
Appointed: Feb. 8, 2011
Term Exp: 2015

 

16th Judicial Circuit

Lewis W. Hicks
York, SC
York County
Appointed: January 30, 1994
Term Exp: 1999

 

Ex Officio

Frances H. Price, Chair, Agriculture Commission of SC
Gilbert, SC
Lexington County
Appointed: March 10, 2011 by Nikki Haley
Term: Coterminous with Governor

 

Other Special Guests

Ellen Lloyd, Administrative Assistant
South Carolina Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 11280 Columbia, SC 29211
elloyd@scda.sc.gov
803-734-9807