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If you’re looking for something that’s not here or see information that’s out of date, please contact mcranford@scda.sc.gov.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
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 Minority & Women Farmers info page
USDA NRCS EQIP Program (5% of Eqip national funding is set aside for minority farmer projects)
The Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant
The Farmers Guide the Microloan Program
Funding Opportunities for Women
Annie’s Project: Empowering Women in Agriculture
South Carolina Organizations and Associations
Southeastern African American Farmers’ Organic Network (SAAFON)
Farmer Veteran Coalition of South Carolina
South Carolina Women’s Agricultural Network
SC Commission for Minority Affairs
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)
