News coverage from Greenville Journal
Crescent Farm of Laurens County, Pod Farms LLC of Pickens County and Milky Way Jersey Farm of Anderson County are among the seven agribusiness entrepreneurs awarded a share of $150,000 by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship.
“My hope for these seven entrepreneurs is that their innovative agribusinesses will help pave the way for continued development and transformation in South Carolina’s agriculture scene,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers. “Whether they take new approaches to existing industries or create new ones, these awardees all have the potential to stimulate economic development in our state.”
This year’s recipients include a regenerative agricultural farm, cooperative, beef and pork agribusiness and USDA organic farm. The awardees represent six counties and seven established businesses throughout South Carolina. They include:
- Bravo Steaks, Chester County
- Tom Knaust of Queen & Comb, Charleston County
- The Gullah Farmers Cooperative Association, a collection of 17 Gullah farm operations in South Carolina’s Lowcountry
- Jeff Siewicki of Vital Mission Farm, Charleston County
- Crescent Farm, Laurens County
- Pod Farms LLC, Pickens County
- Milky Way Jersey Farm, Anderson County
The entrepreneurs were chosen after 10 finalists pitched their business plans to a panel of judges and were scored based on their business plans, a five-minute video presentation and their demonstrated history of business success.