SC Chamber celebrates State’s Agribusiness and Forestry Industries at annual spotlight event
March 27, 2025
Last Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce (SC Chamber) celebrated National Agriculture Day by hosting its annual Spotlight on Agriculture and Forestry event. The annual event was elevated this year with the addition of an economic impact presentation, a Senate resolution, and the recognition of the SC Chamber’s inaugural Agribusiness of the Year Award.
The reception highlighted the significant contributions made through these sectors of our state’s economy. Dr. Joey Von Nessen, a research economist with the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business, gave a presentation detailing the $51.8 billion economic impact and hundreds of thousands of jobs that these industries bring to our state. Dr. Von Nessen’s presentation provided an in-depth analysis of the economic patterns that these industries are facing today and predictions of how those may evolve in the future based on multiple economic metrics.
Due to the recent wildfires in South Carolina, we felt it pertinent to honor the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) and their dedication to fire prevention and forest protection. Senator Greg Hembree (R – District 28) introduced a Senate resolution which was adopted by the full Senate that thanked the SCFC for their heroic efforts responding to the Horry County fires, and this resolution was presented to the SCFC at the reception. When asked about what this recognition meant to the SCFC, they stated “Our agency is deeply proud of our front-line firefighters. South Carolina continues to experience wildfires in some of the most challenging conditions in our State, and our fire staff continues to rise and meet that challenge. We are humbled to be recognized in such a public way, and we are grateful to the Senate and the SC Chamber for highlighting the extraordinary efforts of our team.”
We also had the privilege of honoring Super Sod, a division of Patten Seed Company, with our inaugural Agribusiness of the Year Award. This award was created to recognize a company, individual, or organization that has significantly contributed to the success and excellence within the agricultural industry, often highlighting leadership, innovation, and positive impact on the agribusiness sector and the state’s economy. “It’s always humbling and quite an honor to have our accomplishments in the industry recognized, and we very much appreciate the SC Chamber of Commerce presenting us with the Agribusiness of the Year award,” said Ley Pickens with Super Sod. “We are very thankful for the legacy we have created over the past 45 years, very proud to call SC home, and looking forward to what the future holds!”
Support for this event came from organizations throughout the state including the Farm Credit Associations of South Carolina, Dominion Energy, Blanchard Machinery, South Carolina Forestry Commission, Forestry Association of South Carolina, South Carolina Farm Bureau, Palmetto Agribusiness Council, Titan Farms, First Citizens Bank, Greenville Water, Collum’s Lumber Products, LLC, Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences, and the South Carolina Timber Producers Association.
About SC Chamber
The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is the State’s leading voice for business with a vision to make South Carolina’s economy the most vibrant in the United States, creating opportunity and prosperity for all. A statewide organization that fights for pro-job and business policies at the state and federal level, it strives to promote free enterprise; define and advocate for the business agenda; convene, connect, and educate businesses; and partner with key allies. Our member insights shape the policies we write and the agenda we promote at the State House. Learn more at http://www.scchamber.net.
