This page offers a guide to programs, loans, grants, information, and other resources for minority farmers in South Carolina. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture maintains this guide to promote access for historically underserved communities in the state’s agriculture community.

If you’re looking for something that’s not here or see information that’s out of date, please contact mcranford@scda.sc.gov.

Who is a minority farmer?

A minority farmer is someone who is considered socially disadvantaged by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It is someone who, because of his or her affiliation with a particular group, may have been subject to discrimination in the process of applying for agriculture-related government services. Those groups include women, Hispanics, African Americans, Asian Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, and Pacific Islanders. Source: University of Missouri Extension

 

SCDA Grant Programs and Resources

Grant Programs

Military Veterans – Homegrown by Heroes

Agricultural Organizations in South Carolina

Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE)

Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA)

 

Federal Grant and Loan Programs

USDA Farm Service Agency

USDA Minority & Women Farmers info page

USDA Value Added Grant

USDA Service Center Locator

USDA NRCS EQIP  Program (5% of Eqip national funding is set aside for minority farmer projects)

 USDA Minority Farmer Registry

The Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant

The Farmers Guide the Microloan Program

National Agricultural Library – Grants and Loans for farmers (not just minority but a good starting point for many programs)

 

Funding Opportunities for Women

Annie’s Project: Empowering Women in Agriculture 

National Women in Agriculture 

American Agri-Women

 

South Carolina Organizations and Associations

SC Black Farmers

Fresh Future Farm

Southeastern African American Farmers’ Organic Network (SAAFON)

Farmer Veteran Coalition of South Carolina

Farmers of Color Network

South Carolina Women’s Agricultural Network

SC Commission for Minority Affairs

Foundation for Community Impact and Health Equity

 

National Organizations and Associations

National Young Farmers Coalition

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

National Black Farmers Association

Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS)

The Black Family Land Trust

Minority Landowner Magazine

 

Racial Equity Resources

National Young Farmers Coalition Racial Equity Toolkit