COLUMBIA, S.C. – The agribusiness industry has a $51.8 billion economic impact on South Carolina each year, according to a new analysis. Agribusiness is responsible for 259,215 jobs and $12.3 billion in annual labor income in the state as of 2020. These numbers represent a major milestone achieved for South Carolina’s agribusiness community. In 2009, the state’s industry and government …
$3.1 Million in Locally Grown Food Headed to South Carolina Schools
COLUMBIA – South Carolina students will be eating more food grown by local farmers as part of a partnership involving the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and the South Carolina Department of Education. Under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture is working with South Carolina distributor Senn Brothers to …
Hurricane Ian Preparation Considerations for South Carolina Fruit and Vegetable Crops
Hurricane Ian is approaching the Southeast and is expected to bring significant amounts of rain and heavy winds to South Carolina over the weekend. The latest forecasts show Ian traveling northeast towards the Atlantic, then northward through western South Carolina. Clemson Extension agents advise specialty crop growers in The South Carolina Grower to be prepared to experience damaging winds, excessive …
USDA Announces Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Funding Awarded to South Carolina
WASHINGTON —The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) awarded more than $591,000 in Fiscal Year 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funding to South Carolina. This USDA grant will help the South Carolina Department of Agriculture fund projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the state and support growers through marketing, education, and research. …
Anthracnose Identified on Lima Bean in the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina
Anthracnose disease has been reported on lima bean in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina, according to The South Carolina Grower. Persistent rainfall in the area helped spread the disease throughout the field. The lima bean anthracnose fungus, Colletotrichum truncatum, produces typical Colletotrichum spores in round gooey masses with black hairs. This gives the spore masses a black color. …
Resistance to Tebuconazole is Widespread in Gummy Stem Blight Fungus in South Carolina
South Carolina cucurbit growers should reduce tebuconazole applications in managing gummy stem blight. The pathogenic fungus has become moderately resistant to this very commonly used fungicide, according to Clemson plant pathologist Tony Keinath in The South Carolina Grower. Seven watermelon fields were sampled in 2019 (six fields) and 2021 (one field) in Beaufort, Bamberg, Barnwell and Hampton counties. Of 229 …
Downy Mildew Disease in South Carolina
Cucurbit downy mildew disease was identified this week in South Carolina, according to the The South Carolina Grower. The disease was observed in a cucumber field in Bamberg County. Clemson Extension reminds producers to make fungicide applications every seven days. Any stretch longer than this increases the potential that the disease will spread. Recommended fungicides for cucumbers include Omega (Fluazinam, …
South Carolina Introduces Card for Agricultural Sales Tax Exemptions
COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Agriculture and the South Carolina Department of Revenue announced the South Carolina Agricultural Tax Exemption (SCATE) card. It is a handy way for farmers to show they are eligible for certain state Sales Tax exemptions. For many years, farmers have had to fill out a paper form, the ST-8F, to receive Sales Tax …
Cool October Impacts Development of South Carolina Strawberries
By Clint Thompson Cooler fall temperatures in South Carolina have delayed the development of some of the state’s strawberry crop. It is evident in most of the crop, says Bruce McLean, Clemson Extension Area Commercial Horticulture Agent in the Pee Dee Region. “The strawberry crop, for the most part, is looking behind from where it should be. There’s a lot …
South Carolina Hemp Applications Available Through Feb. 28
According to The South Carolina Grower, hemp applications are available for interested growers through Feb. 28. Applications must be completed online here. Processor and handler permit applications are also available on the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) Hemp Farming Program website. The SCDA announced that grower permit fees are reduced from $1,000 to $500. The application fee is $100. …