AgFirst partners with Governor’s School to support next generation of ag leaders

At the South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture, students don't just study agriculture – they are living it every day. Through challenging academics, practical experience and a strong sense of community, the school is cultivating future leaders, ensuring the ag industry thrives in the Palmetto State. 

Nestled on 1,310 acres of forest and farmland in McCormick, this state-funded, public, residential high school provides a distinctive and rigorous agricultural education for students in grades 10-12. The program equips students for future careers in farming, land management, forestry, food science and more. 

Since the school welcomed its inaugural class of 33 students in 2020, AgFirst has been a key partner, supporting the program’s mission to educate future agricultural leaders in South Carolina. The bank contributed nearly $100,000 over the past four years to enhance agricultural learning opportunities for students. This support includes:

• Providing scholarships for students. 
• Enabling students to enroll in Farm Credit University’s AgBiz Basics program. 
• Funding the construction of a new greenhouse on campus. 
• Providing national and international travel opportunities to broaden students’ agricultural knowledge.  

Recently, the school broke ground on its new greenhouse. This new operation will help show more students modern farming practices, such as hydroponics and automated watering systems. The greenhouse also helps with the school’s goal of becoming 50% self-sustainable, with vegetables being donated to its cafeteria. 

This summer, AgFirst’s funding allowed nine students to embark on the school’s first international trip to Ireland. There, students visited local farms, learned about sustainable farming practices and cared for livestock, gaining a deeper understanding of the global agribusiness economy. Last year, AgFirst supported students' attendance at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, where they networked with agricultural leaders, explored various agricultural industries and participated in leadership and team-building workshops. 

The partnership between AgFirst and the Governor’s School for Agriculture exemplifies a shared commitment to educating and empowering the future generation of agricultural leaders. We’re proud to support the school’s initiatives to provide students with the tools they need to thrive in agriculture.