By Clint Thompson
South Carolina producers interested in enrolling in the Clemson Extension South Carolina New and Beginning Farmer Program (SCNBFP) have until Feb. 20 to apply.
The program is designed to help growers with zero to 10 years of experience, who are just starting their business or need help accelerating their farming operation, says Ben Boyles, SCNBFP director and Clemson Extension agribusiness agent.
“We’re helping them develop their business concept, their business model, what they want to do. We’re helping them develop a business plan. We’re making them more educated on farm financial management, how to run a farm business,” Boyles said. “We’re connecting them with resources at the local, state and federal level.”
The SCNBFP Class of 2022 program will start in May and finish in August. It will include a series of 10 core agribusiness workshops focused on farm business management. Workshop topics include business concept and plan development, financial and risk management, legal and regulatory issues, marketing strategies, soil health and pest management and an introduction to federal, state and local agricultural resources.
“This program has been around since about 2011. We had 50 people go through our program last year. We’re now accepting applications for this year. We’re in the middle of that application window and the interest seems to be just as strong,” Boyles said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture recently supported the program with a $600,000 grant. It will cover three years and expands the capacity for which the program can assist enrollees.
“We’re able to bring in more personnel. It increases our partnerships. We have sub-contracts with different organizations to deliver educational components to new farmers,” Boyles said. “We’re just able to extend our reach more than we would be able to without those funds.”
As many as 50 applicants will be accepted for this year’s program. Additional information can be found at www.scnewfarmer.org.
“About 10%, give or take, of the food that we eat is grown in South Carolina. That leaves 90% on the table. Just imagine what we can do if we can have more locally produced food on our plates. I think there’s opportunity for that,” Boyles said.
