South Carolina Department of Agriculture selects hemp growers

By Sally McKay
Source: morningagclips.com

20 farmers to begin pilot program

The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) has selected 20 farmers to participate in the 2018 SC Industrial Hemp Pilot Program. The farmers represent 15 South Carolina counties. (photo by eric molina, creative commons/flickr.com)

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) has selected 20 farmers to participate in the 2018 SC Industrial Hemp Pilot Program. The farmers represent 15 South Carolina counties.

“The Industrial Hemp Pilot Program creates a new opportunity for South Carolina farmers to increase crop diversity,” said Hugh Weathers, South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture. “Interest in the program was strong, and the Department of Agriculture worked diligently to select a broad representation of growers.”

Permit Recipient	County	Acres
Dupree Atkinson	Marion	20
Steven Neal Baxley, Jr.	Marion	20
Lynell Braught, Ph.D.	Hampton	18.43
David Bulick	Charleston	19.95
Albert Bueno	Orangeburg	19.54
Patrick Edward Burch	Florence	20
Kevin R. Dean	Charleston and Williamsburg	20
John Andrew Fogle	Orangeburg	20
Danny Lee Ford II	Pickens	16
Thomas Garrison	Anderson	20
Patrick Jamison, Jr.	Orangeburg and Lexington	5.46
Deborah Justice	Oconee	20
Harry Bancroft (Chip) Limehouse III	Aiken	20
Robert Mason	Marion	20
Matthew H. O’Brien	Fairfield	20
Janel Ralph	Horry	5.97
John Rivers	Sumter	20
Robbie Springs	Florence	20
Joesph Watson	Saluda	20
Robert Wilkins, Jr.	Florence	20

The 20 permit recipients were chosen from 131 applications. Selection was based on several key factors, including:

• Completed application
• Agriculture experience
• Geographic balance across South Carolina
• Accredited college/university partner
• Purpose of the crop
• Processor experience and location
• Ability to secure needed equipment and financing

Five accredited universities will work with pilot program participants: University of South Carolina, Medical University of South Carolina, South Carolina State University, Clemson University and USC Beaufort.

Governor Henry McMaster signed H.3559 into law in May, making it legal for 20 South Carolina farmers to grow up to 20 acres of industrial hemp in 2018 for research purposes, in accordance with the 2014 Farm Bill.

“This is a new industry for South Carolina, and we’re hopeful that these first 20 growers will lay a strong foundation for an expanded 2019 program,” said Weathers. “Ultimately it’s about growth and expansion for our farmers and our economy.”

For more information about the Industrial Hemp Pilot Program, visit https://agriculture.sc.gov/divisions/external-affairs-economic-development/industrial-hemp/.