South Carolina Department of Agriculture

06/12/2026

The deadline to apply for the South Carolina Disaster Relief Block Grant for Hurricane Helene is less than one month away.

We urge applicants to review the step-by-step application guide and 15-minute demo video. These and other resources can be found on the Helene grant webpage, agriculture.sc.gov/helene.

This $38 million grant is targeted at production losses not covered by any other USDA programs or crop insurance, which include Market Loss, Infrastructure Loss, Future Economic Loss, and Timber Loss

Only losses in counties that received a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Helene are eligible.

More information coming soon. Sign up below to receive information about the grant * indicates required Email Address * First Name * Last Name *

06/10/2026

Barnwell County’s watermelon industry is built on hard work, family traditions, and strong community ties. Despite a challenging 2025 season marked by oversupply and falling prices, local farmers and brokers continue supporting one another while bringing South Carolina’s iconic watermelons to tables across the region. Read more about the SC watermelon industry in this year's issue of Grown in SC magazine here: publuu.com/flip-book/82690/2307104/page/44

06/03/2026

Think you've fallen ill from something you ate? Here's what to do to help SCDA or federal food safety officials investigate your claim:

First, seek medical advice from your healthcare provider.

Then, if any of the suspect food remains, wrap it securely, write Danger – Do Not Eat on the wrapping or container, and refrigerate it.
Save all the packaging materials or the container the food came in.
If you have any identical unopened products, save them.
Write down the food type, where you got it, and the date and time of day you ate it.
Also write down the date and time of day when you first noticed symptoms of illness.

You can file a complaint online here: https://agriculture.sc.gov/divisions/consumer-protection/retail-food-safety/food-safety-complaint-form/

Contact us immediately if the food believed to have made you sick was served at a large gathering (such as a church supper) or came from a restaurant, cafeteria, or other type of food service establishment, especially if others have also become sick from the same source.

05/29/2026

FAQ: I want to sell food made in my home, but I can’t afford to buy or
build a commercial kitchen. I want to make some extra money. How do I make this work?

A: There are a few options for selling homemade food without spending a lot of money on a commercial kitchen. The Home-based Food Production Law, also known as the “Cottage Law,” allows certain foods that do not require time or temperature control to be sold without inspection or a permit. These are generally baked goods (without cream fillings), candies, cookies, and most breads.
Another option is a shared-use kitchen. These specially designated commercial
kitchens are operated by a person who rents time and space in
the establishment and allows you to have a permit using their
kitchen.
You can learn more about cottage food law and shared use kitchens at https://agriculture.sc.gov/faq/retail-food/

05/26/2026

Peach season is here, and the best peaches in the world are grown by South Carolina farmers! South Carolina peach farmers harvest peaches from May through September! Depending on the weather, our farmers can harvest between 60 and 90 thousand tons of peaches in a season!
Check out our website for more about peaches: https://agriculture.sc.gov/faq/peaches/

05/21/2026

“Bittermilk is a South Carolina success story, and their expansion is great news for the state. Forward-looking small agribusinesses are essential to the future of the industry, and we celebrate their growth.” -Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers

05/20/2026

FAQ: Do I need a license to sell eggs?
An SC Egg License is required by state law to sell raw, shelled eggs at any location other than where the eggs are harvested. We have created a quick guide for egg grading and labeling for sale.
You can find the Egg License Quick Guide and Application here: https://tinyurl.com/5bv5d9b5

05/19/2026

The application period for the Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief Block Grant is open.
The $38 million in federal aid will help cover four types of Hurricane Helene losses that aren’t covered by other USDA programs or crop insurance: infrastructure loss, market loss, future economic loss, and timber loss. Only losses in counties with a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Helene are eligible.
Find more info, and apply here: https://agriculture.sc.gov/helene

05/18/2026

Check out 2019 SC Chef Ambassador Tania Harris on stage at the National Restaurant Association Show over the weekend!