SC Ag Commissioner Hugh Weathers

Here to tell us more about how the SC Department of Agriculture is marking National Ag Day is SC Ag Commissioner Hugh Weathers. Commissioner Weathers: Yes, National Ag Day is March 19. This is when we take the time to recognize, appreciate and thank our ag workers, farmers, and ag industries. March is an appropriate […]

: It’s starting to feel a lot like spring outside, and that means spring produce will soon be in season across the state. This is the time of year everyone gets excited about Certified South Carolina produce. But we have a long way to go until we’re safe from frost. Strawberries: Asparagus: Other produce: Pressures: […]

A few weeks ago, USDA released the results of the most recent Census of Agriculture. What did we learn about South Carolina? Commissioner: Yes, we’ve talked about the ag census a lot in the past few years and I would say it paid off. South Carolina had one of the highest response rates in the […]

SC Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers has just returned from a trade mission to Cuba. Commissioner, tell us about this trip. Yes, Mike, I’m back from a trip to Cuba with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. Cuba is opening up more to international trade and relationships, and agriculture will be a big […]

Applications are now open for the 2024 South Carolina Commissioner’s School for Agriculture. Tell us about this program, Commissioner.

The Southeastern Wildlife Expo is being held February 16-18 in Charleston. Let’s hear about it, Commissioner.   

Applications are open for the ACRE Advanced program. Tell us about it, Commissioner. Yes, Mike. SCDA founded the Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE) in 2018 to help identify and nurture new ideas and agribusinesses in South Carolina. A cornerstone of ACRE is the Advanced Entrepreneurship program, in which we seek entrepreneurs to push […]

SC Ag Commissioner Hugh Weathers is just back from Morocco. Let’s hear about why you were there. I visited as part of a trade delegation with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, or NASDA. Morocco presents some interesting agricultural trade opportunities for American farmers. This country in northern Africa holds the only free […]

South Carolina has three new Chef Ambassadors. Here’s Commissioner Hugh Weathers to tell us about it. We’re celebrating the 10th year of the program. We created in 2014 to highlight South Carolina as a destination for great food. Chef Ambassadors represent the state through food festivals and other promotional opportunities, sharing South Carolina’s culinary traditions, […]

The South Carolina Watermelon Association holds its annual convention this week, which means it’s time to talk watermelon. The meeting is January 19–21, 2024 at Hilton Head. This is always an action-packed meeting, with educational sessions; networking with retailers, growers, and allied industry representatives; an auction to raise funds for research and promotion; and the […]