South Carolina entrepreneurs awarded $215,000 for innovative agribusinesses
June 11, 2026
The South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE) awarded $215,000 in grants to 12 South Carolina businesses as part of its Advanced Entrepreneurship program.
A record 47 entrepreneurs applied to the Advanced program this year. The selected finalists pitched to a panel of judges on May 13 and were scored based on their business plans, a five-minute video presentation, and their demonstrated history of business success.
In addition to funding, the awardees will also receive access to a network of business advisors, and professional assistance with further state and federal grant applications.
“These entrepreneurs show the diversity and the impact of South Carolina agribusiness,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers. “I’m thrilled to see so many innovative approaches to feeding South Carolinians and teaching people about the importance of farming.”
The awardees include animal agriculture, specialty food producers, produce farms, and new and established farmers:
1. Spade and Clover Gardens grows produce in Berkeley County, offering a variety of specialty crops to area restaurants and retail, including six varieties of turmeric. The farm will develop its dried ground turmeric product line, using ACRE funds to support equipment, packaging, branding, and labor.
2. Charleston County-based Jeremiah Farm & Goat Dairy will use ACRE funds to outfit a Makers Cottage to support its agritourism educational offerings. The farm will also fence a wooded lot to support a silvopasture rotational grazing system for its goats.
3. Elf Leaf Farm, a Greenville County agritourism farm offering lavender, blueberries, tea and cut flowers, will use ACRE funds to improve wheelchair access to its facilities, as well as upgrade its kitchen to be able to offer food on site.
4. Old Mill Apiary is a beekeeping operation in Chester County committed to developing and educating the beekeeper community. The company will establish a compliant honey processing and value-added production facility for use by area beekeepers seeking to market their honey and products.
5. Hickory Bluff Farms, a Berkeley County produce and agritourism farm, will build out its traditional cane syrup production for wholesale and retail distribution. Producing syrup from sugar cane offers opportunities for education and a shelf-stable value-added product to create ongoing revenue.
6. Wet Knot Farms will build a shipping container-based wash/pack facility, cold room, and storage center at its Greenville County farm. The small diversified farm grows vegetables and cut flowers with an emphasis on salad greens and market bouquets, serving area farmers markets and food hubs.
7. Helena Hills Farm will expand its cut flower and agritourism operation, creating space for educational offerings and further processing at its Jasper County property.
8. As part of its move to a new, larger site within Horry County, Thompson Farm and Nursery will build open-air pole barns to shelter its extensive agritourism operations, including retail space for pumpkins and produce, classroom space for field trips and as a covered seating area for festivals and seasonal events.
9. Located in Oconee County, the South Carolina Cut Flower Growers Marketing Cooperative is a farmer-owned, member-governed organization connecting small and mid-scale flower farms with professional buyers across the state. The co-op will set up a Midlands cooler hub to coordinate distribution statewide.
10. Ewe on the Farm is a veteran-owned farm that integrates agritourism, agricultural education, livestock production, and value-added food products. The Cherokee County farm will upgrade its equipment and kitchen to enhance classes and production.
11. Lafleur’s Farm, a veteran-owned farm in Clarendon County, specializes in fruit and vegetable production, eggs, honey and value-added products. The farm will expand its U-pick operation and construct a farm stand and cold storage to better serve the community.
12. The Purple Mushroom is an urban mushroom farm specializing in culinary mushrooms and value-added agricultural products. The business will use ACRE funding to expand production and processing efficiency, helping develop its line of recycled mushroom substrate soil amendments.
ACRE was founded in 2018 to help identify and nurture new ideas and businesses in the Palmetto State’s agribusiness sector. Since then, ACRE has awarded over $1,862,500 to 163 agricultural entrepreneurs, funded several industry-driven research projects and led dozens of business workshops throughout the state.
ACRE also partners with Clemson Extension to offer a fall curriculum program to train and mentor beginning agricultural entrepreneurs and prepare them to seek advanced award funding. Applications for the fall program open July 27. To learn more, visit acre-sc.com.
