AgFirst, partners support event spotlighting South Carolina agriculture

South Carolina’s agricultural industry has been a vital component of the Palmetto State’s economy for hundreds of years and remains one of the largest economic sectors in the state today. That’s why AgFirst and partner Associations Arbor One Farm Credit and AgSouth Farm Credit came together to support this year’s Spotlight on Agriculture and Forestry event hosted by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, March 22.

Fittingly, the stage for the event was City Roots Farm – a family-owned urban organic farm and agritourism destination in the Rosewood neighborhood of Columbia, S.C. Agricultural leaders from various sectors and supporters of agriculture came together for the event with collaboration being a key theme of the night.

“Collaboration is a hallmark of agriculture in South Carolina. It’s meetings like this that reinforce that,” said Pat Calhoun, Chief Executive Officer of AgSouth Farm Credit.

Knowing the critical role agriculture plays in South Carolina, several state agricultural leaders addressed a crowd of 75 that came together to show their support of agriculture and network with others in the sector. Industry leaders discussed how agribusiness continues to grow in the state with new and expanded opportunities, the importance of partnerships and how we’re looking to the future.

“We’re focused on where this industry can go, what are the means by which we get it to the next level and what further collaborations we can do to make it happen,” said Hugh Weathers, South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture.

Supporting agriculture and rural communities is at the heart of Farm Credit’s mission, and AgFirst was proud to sponsor this event alongside our Association partners to increase visibility of the vital role agribusiness plays in our state’s economy, while promoting collaboration in the industry.