South Carolina Department of Agriculture

Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner

House Legislative Oversight Committee�Economic Development, Transportation, Natural Resources, and Regulatory Subcommittee��10:30 am�Wednesday, July 6, 2016�110 Blatt Building�

South Carolina �Department of Agriculture (SCDA)

• History
• Mission
• Vision
• Key partners and relationships
• Comments

SC Agriculture Commissioners

A.P. Butler 1880-1890

Mr. Moore 1890-1891

Ebbie J. Watson   1904-1917

A. C. Summers   1917-1919

Bonneau Harris    1919-1925

James W. Shealy   1926-1932

J. Roy Jones   1932-1956

William L. Harrelson   1956-1976

G. Bryan Patrick, Jr   1976-1982

D. Leslie Tindal   1982-2002

Charles R. Sharpe   2002-2005

Hugh E. Weathers   2005-present 

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History

• State’s economy was built on production of crops like rice, indigo, tobacco, and cotton
• By the mid 1800’s soil became overworked and depleted
• State also lacked statistical data by which to help make decisions
• Established in 1879 with broad scope of responsibilities, including: fertilizer regulation, soil improvement and analysis, distribution of seeds, sheep husbandry, immigration, geology, labor, forestry and more

History

• Began under the supervision of the Board of Agriculture
• Governor (Chair and ex officio) plus four others
• Agency began with an appropriation of $168,759 (inflation adjusted)
• SCDA was initially supported by fines and forfeitures, and fees for land registration

History

• SC Agriculture in 1880 (US Census)
• 450,756 cows
• 1,350,515 acres of cotton
• 78,222 acres of rice
• 81,009 bushels of peaches
• Farmland – 6,259,186 acres
• Molasses 414,015 gallons (9,446 ac of sugarcane and sorghum)

History

• In 1887, SCDA worked with South Carolina College to help set up experiment farms in Charleston, Columbia, Darlington and Spartanburg Counties
• Clemson A & M College founded in 1889 and funded by fertilizer tonnage fee
• Under the Pure Food & Drug Act in 1913, SCDA was tasked with regulating “spirituous, fermented and malted liquors;” and prevention of the sale of cocaine
• Also in 1913, the Market Bulletin was first published as part of The State Newspaper

History

• At least a dozen agencies have been created with responsibilities originally housed at SCDA
• Clemson Regulatory Services
• State Veterinarian’s Office
• Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
• Department of Health & Environmental Control
• Forestry Commission
• Department of Revenue
• State Law Enforcement Division
• DNR (Land Resources, Geological Survey, Wildlife and Marine Resources

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History

• SCDA has been renamed several times, with the current name being established in 1941
• 1968 brought legislation that created the Agriculture Commission and the authority to create and oversee commodity boards, and administer marketing orders
• In 1974, the Columbia Farmers Market was acquired by the State and placed under the supervision of SCDA

History

• SCDA assumed operations of the Greenville Market in 1980
• Pee Dee State Farmers Market opened in 1989
• The office of Commissioner of Agriculture became a Constitutional Office in 1982

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History

• “Certified SC” campaign launched in 2007
• 1,800 members currently
• In late 2009, “50 by 20 – A Ten Year Goal for South Carolina Agriculture” initiative is rolled out
• 2010 - “Fresh On The Menu” restaurant program is established
• Over 300 restaurants now participating
• 2011 – began partnership with SC Department of Commerce for agribusiness project manager
• In January 2014, Agritourism program created

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History

• Agriculture today (2012 Census of Agriculture)
• Agribusiness $42 billion total impact, 212,000 jobs
• 25,266 farms covering 4,971,244 acres
• Broilers are the top cash crop ($226 million)
• Total farm gate income over $3 billion
• 300,036 acres of cotton (587,589 bales)
• 106,476 acres of peanuts
• 320,861 acres of corn
• 581 agritourism operators (55% growth over 2007)

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SCDA Mission

To promote and nurture the growth and development of South Carolina’s agriculture industry and its related businesses while assuring the safety and security of the buying public

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SCDA Vision

For the State’s economy to grow and prosper, providing everyone, producers and consumers, opportunities to enjoy the benefits of agriculture

Key Partners

Economic Development

• SC Department of Commerce
• Agribusiness recruitment
• Clemson University
• Agribusiness education and research
• University of South Carolina
• economic impact research, including current export study

Key Partners

Agricultural Services

• DHEC
• Farm to institution, increasing access to healthy foods, farmers market nutrition, WIC/SNAP
• PRT & Governor’s Office
• Chef Ambassador Program
• SC Department of Education
• Farm to Institution

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Key Partners

Agricultural Services

• USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
• Market News
• Poultry and Egg grading
• USDA Feed Grain Inspection Service (FGIS)
• Grain grading and inspection
• USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS)
• Fruit and Vegetable grading and inspection

Key Partners

Consumer Protection

• FDA
• Food and Cosmetic Act – enhanced contract inspections by FDA commissioned state inspectors
• Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) – Preventive Controls and Produce Safety outreach and regulatory
• Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS) and Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS) – FDA training and funding to implement federal food / feed laws and enhance laboratory capabilities

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Key Partners

Consumer Protection

• SC Aeronautics Commission
• Aeronautics purchased specialized equipment and SCDA inspects Jet A and 100LL dispensers at all public airports in the state

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Key Partners

Consumer Protection

• DHEC – MOUs to prevent redundancies
• Food Protection – SCDA inspects manufacturing, wholesale, distribution; DHEC inspects retail
• Dairy – streamlined regulation of all dairy products one agency (DHEC)

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Key Partners

Consumer Protection

• Clemson PSA
• Food Safety Education and training, including FSMA and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to prevent conflict of interest
• Pesticide Disposal Program
• USDA
• AMS – Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) enforcement
• Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) livestock scale standards

Key Partners

Agency Operations

• DNR
• Tennant at the State Farmers Market
• Regional Licensing Office
• Division of Technology
• Provides network and information security support
• SCDA IT staff working with DTO to streamline products and services

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Key Partners

Agency Operations

• State Treasurer’s Office
• Previously combined HR department
• Lieutenant Governor’s Office
• Sourced 4,500 meals at Thanksgiving with Office on Aging

Public Comments

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