New Farmer Resources

Additional Educational Opportunities Available to New, Beginning, & Aspiring Farmers

WORKSHOPS & TRAININGS

• SCNBFP Advanced Workshops – SCNBFP advanced workshops are available to the public.  Visit the SC New & Beginning Farmer Program website for an ongoing schedule.
• Farming Foundations (Clemson Extension Online Classes) – This 14 module class will teach beginner and advanced farmers the foundations to get their farms moving in the right direction.  The class is focused on vegetable production but many topics such as soil testing, fertility, and irrigation can be applied to many different farming ventures. At the completion of the class, participants will have a portfolio that will help them in their farming journey.
• SARE Programming – Hosted by the Clemson Sustainable Agriculture Program and partners, statewide, throughout the year.  Visit the website to view programming schedule and sign up for the mailing list.
• Clemson University Cooperative Extension – Contact each County Extension office in your area and ask to be placed on their mailing list for workshops and trainings.
• South Carolina State University 1890 Extension Program – Contact your closest 1890 Extension office for more information on workshops and trainings.
• Soil & Water Conservation Districts – Like Extension services, each county has its own Soil & Water Conservation District office.  Many of these host workshops of interest to farmers.  Use this directory to contact your local office and asked to be placed on their mailing list.
• Clemson Extension Master Gardener Program – If you have an interest in horticulture and helping educate others, Clemson’s Master Gardener Program provides 40+ hours of training, including vegetable and tree/small fruit production. Available in more than two dozen SC counties, as well as online.

CONFERENCES

• Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference – Hosted each fall, usually in NC.
• ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference
• Southern SAWG Annual Conference – Held in different southeast location every year.
• Georgia Organics Conference & Expo
• Annie’s Project SC – Annual agribusiness retreat for women farmers.

MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATIONS – NETWORKING, RESOURCES & EDUCATION

• Carolina Farm Stewardship Association – Serves North & South Carolina.
• Catawba Farm & Food Coalition – Serving the Catawba region of SC.
• Lowcountry Local First – Serves the SC Lowcountry region.
• South Carolina Farm Bureau – Serving the state of SC with offices in all 46 counties.
• South Carolina Women’s Agriculture Network – Serving women farmers in SC.
• South Carolina Agritourism Association – Serving agritourism providers throughout SC.
• South Carolina Food Policy Council
• South Carolina Agriculture Council

Note: There are also many associations related to particular areas of production, operating in SC. For example, the SC Beekeepers Association; SC Cattlemen’s Association; SC Specialty Crop Growers Association; etc.

http://agriculture.sc.gov/resources/agriculture-organizations/

NEW FARMER RESOURCE LINKS

• Farm Answers (USDA-NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Clearinghouse)
• Getting Started with Fruit and Vegetable Farming (SC Dept. of Agriculture)
• 7 Steps to Start an Ag Business in South Carolina (.pdf)
• Starting an Ag Business? A Pre-planning Guide (.pdf)
• SC Center for Cooperative and Enterprise Development Business Plan Development Guide (.pdf)
• USDA - New Farmers Portal
• Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Links and Resources
• SC Department of Agriculture Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE) Programs
• The South Carolina Grower provides current fruit, vegetable, and other specialty crop news from around South Carolina. Visit regularly for field updates, pest alerts, meeting announcements, and more.
• Energy Answers for the New and Beginning Farmer (YouTube Channel)