SC DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

SCDA’s mission is to promote and nurture the growth and development of South Carolina’s agriculture industry and its related businesses while assuring the safety and security of the buying public.

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CERTIFIED SC GROWN

The Certified South Carolina program is an exciting cooperative effort with farmers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) to brand and promote South Carolina products. When consumers can easily identify, find and buy South Carolina products, they are taking home fresher, tastier foods and supporting local farmers.

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EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Find educational resources to help you and your farm be successful.

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FOOD SAFETY

In an effort to provide South Carolina growers and food handlers with current information about the Food Safety Modernization Act, the South Carolina Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crop Association convened a group of food safety experts from Clemson University Department of Food Science, Clemson Extension Service, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, South Carolina Farm Bureau, South Carolina Department of Agriculture, South Carolina Meat & Poultry Inspection, and USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service as well as representatives from the food processing industry fruit and vegetable producers and other educational institutions.

FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM

Farmers interested in participating in the South Carolina Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SC FMNP) must complete the USDA’s required training. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires training for all farmers who wish to be authorized to participate in the SC FMNP. The same information will be presented at each session, so attend the one most convenient for you. The training session will provide information from the Guidebook for Farmers. Farmers will need to complete an application/agreement that includes a crop plan for the year. Anyone not attending a session will not be allowed to accept SC FMNP checks or WIC Cash Value Vouchers.

For the Senior Farmer's Market Nutrition Program:

Contact Chris Doyle for Details

For WIC:

Contact Michelle Yates for Details

ORGANIC CERTIFICATION

National Organic Program Certification allows a farm or processing facility to sell, label, and represent their products as organic. This process is managed by a certifying agent: a private, foreign, or state entity authorized by USDA to certify an operation as USDA organic.

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ACRE

In 2017, the South Carolina General Assembly designated funding to promote agribusiness in our state. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture used that funding to create the Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship. Thus far, ACRE has awarded over $640,000 to 42 agricultural entrepreneurs, funded several industry-driven research projects and led dozens of business workshops throughout the state. And we're only just beginning.

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ARE YOU READY?

Take the next step on your farm and become a part of the South Carolina Specialty Crop Growers Association.

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GRANTS

The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) administers numerous federal grants and cooperative agreements internally through the initiatives of its various departments.

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