About Us

The program provides participants with the tools, knowledge and skills necessary to be successful entrepreneurs through the following program objectives:

1. Teach fundamentals of farm business management, and provide exposure to more advanced topics.
2. Increase participant awareness and familiarity with local, state and federal resources.
3. Help beginning farmers to better understand their personal and professional goals,values, and motivations, to better “Know Thyself.” 
4. Encourage the development of thoughtful business plans, including selection of legal structure, development of land acquisition strategies, and multiple marketing strategies.
5. Facilitate and encourage peer learning, networking, and support.

The SCNBFP consists of a variety of programs to meet the needs of South Carolina's emerging farmers including:

1. An annual Cohort Program focused on providing foundational knowledge to new farmers with less than 3 years of farming experience. The cohort program consists of 10 full day core workshops held in-person at a central location or online via zoom with access to an additional 10 full-day advanced workshops. Topics covered include business concept/plan development, financial and risk management, legal & regulatory issues, marketing strategies, soil health, integrated pest management, and an introduction to federal, state, and local agriculture resources.
2. An annual Advanced Workshop Series that includes 20 agribusiness and production-focused workshops held throughout the state of South Carolina or online.

The SCNBF Program is administered by the Clemson University Extension Agribusiness Program Team with Ben Boyles serving as program director and Diana Vossbrinck serving as assistant program director.

• Learn best agri-business practices and develop a business plan.
• Network with peer farmers in your own area as well as throughout the state.
• Engage with state and federal government agencies in order to better leverage public resources and increase participation in their programs.
• Learn more about yourself and your business goals.

Founded by Dr. R. Dave Lamie, the South Carolina New and Beginning Farmer Program (SCNBFP) began its inaugural class in 2011 with the support of a three-year USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) grant, graduating classes in 2011, 2012, and 2013. A partial program funded through participant fees graduated a class in 2016. The program received another BFRDP grant in 2016 to run three more cohorts between 2017 and 2019. The 2020-2021 programs were supported by a USDA-Rural Development RDBG grant. The 2022 - 2025 programs are supported by a four-year USDA-NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) grant.

• The program has successfully graduated over 650 individuals since 2011 with 92%  average graduation rate.
• The program has conducted regional workshop out-reach that has presented  76 workshops to over  1700  attendees over the past three years.
• The SCNBFP has created a strong network of collaboration that allows them to coordinate with other agencies, businesses, and organizations to provide the support and resources needed by the participants.