South Carolina Department of Agriculture

The meeting covered several guest reports, including updates from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture on the Helene Disaster Grant and agricultural infrastructure support, and from the South Carolina Farm Bureau regarding upcoming meetings. Commissioner Hugh Weathers provided a Washington report, detailing attention from Senator Lindsey Graham's office and an investigation into meat packers, along with plans for an agricultural stabilization bill to mitigate economic cycles. Progress on soybean logistics following the ADM closure was also discussed. Old business included the approval of previous minutes, updates on the Soybean Board MOU with SCDA and the Corn Board, and correspondence to the legislature regarding unpaid interest on the SC Soybean Board funds. The commission reviewed the results of a referendum to pause watermelon assessments, which passed, with a revote scheduled for January 2026. Under new business, discussions addressed complaints regarding the Springfield Stockyard, referencing USDA indemnity bonds for recourse during the government shutdown. A vote on the Commodity Board Appointments for the South Carolina Pork Board was tabled pending legal counsel determination regarding a nominee's outstanding USDA debt. The next four meeting dates for 2026 were set, and departing member Ben Gramling was recognized for his service.

Key discussions included reports on a disaster block grant program for Hurricane Helene relief from Southeastern states and updates on three disaster relief programs from the SC FSA. Old business covered an update on a late assessment check payment and extensive discussions regarding operational MOUs, administrative servicing, and consultant hiring for the SC Soybean Board and SC Corn Board. New business focused on the resolution from the SC Watermelon Board to pause in-state assessments, which the Commission voted to put to a referendum for all producers. The Commission assigned members as Ex Officio representatives to eight commodity boards. Furthermore, the Commission agreed to draft a letter to the SC General Assembly supporting the SC Soybean Board's request to recoup approximately $227,468 in retroactive interest from state-held accounts. The Commission also formally withdrew four motions passed during the November 13, 2024 meeting concerning commodity boards after determining proper procedure (hearings and referendums) was not followed. Discussions were held regarding the delineation of responsibilities between the Ag Commission and the SCDA, and potential hiring by the Corn and Soybean Boards for a Director of Research, Promotion, and Education. Finally, appointments and nominee approvals for open seats on the SC Beef Council and SC Corn Board were confirmed.

Guest reports covered the SC Department of Agriculture's efforts to secure funding for serving agricultural industries and a potential storage option following an ADM facility closure. Concerns were raised regarding the low allocation for fruits and vegetable crops in the recent SC Block Grant disaster fund request. Old Business included the withdrawal of a motion from the April 7, 2025, Special Called Meeting concerning seeking a second opinion from the Attorney General's office. An update was provided on an overdue cotton assessment payment. The commission approved Michael Sullivan as the nominee for the SC Watermelon Board District 1 seat. Following a discussion on the dual assessment burden on SC watermelon producers, the Commission decided Chair Price will compose a letter asking the Watermelon Board to submit a resolution to pause in-state assessments for the 2025 growing season. New Business involved distributing commodity board reports (Peanut, Pork, Tobacco, Cotton, Soybean, Corn, Watermelon) and requesting updates to assessment forms to specify the Agriculture Commission of South Carolina as the remittance recipient. The reconciliation of the SC Corn Board external bank account was reviewed, confirming that assessment funds were transferred correctly. The Commission addressed correspondence from legal counsel regarding an opinion sought from the Attorney General's office on behalf of the SC Corn Board, leading to a motion for Chair Price to write to the Corn Board members requesting clarification on the authorization and payment of this external counsel. Additionally, the resignation of the Director for the SC Soybean Board, SC Corn Board, and SC Corn and Soybean Association, effective June 30, 2025, was noted, along with SCDA beginning the process to define Director positions. Finally, Bradley Orr was elected as the first Vice Chair of the Ag Commission.

The South Carolina Department of Agriculture's (SCDA) 2024 Annual Accountability Report outlines the agency's two-part mission: to nurture and grow agribusiness, and to protect producers and consumers in the marketplace. The report details the activities of SCDA's four divisions: Agency Operations, Consumer Protection, External Affairs & Economic Development, and Legal. Key highlights include preparing for the S.399 transition, enhancing the competitiveness and services of State Farmers Markets through capital projects, promoting spring/fall plants and summer produce, improving the efficiency of fuel pump inspections, enhancing food safety emergency response and preparedness, protecting pets with feed safety programs, upgrading the laboratory, strengthening the agribusiness sector, supporting innovation through the Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE), implementing a corn checkoff, expanding grants department services, and employee recognition.

Commissioner Weathers reported on the transition of DHEC responsibilities, the Change.SC program, new beef processing facilities, and the school nutrition program. Sam Quinney discussed the South Carolina drought and Tropical Storm Debby. Clint Leach reported on the Farm Bill, highlighting the Senate's prioritization of cryptocurrency regulation over the Farm Bill and the potential impact of the upcoming elections. The meeting included discussion and approval of a policy manual, plans for a joint Ag Commission/Commodity Board meeting, approval of a corn checkoff refund form, and appointments to various commodity boards. An executive session addressed a request from the SC Soybean Board to transfer funds, leading to a decision to pursue legislative exemption for interest-bearing accounts for commodity check-off boards.