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Columbia Business Monthly

2019 Industrial Hemp Pilot Program Growers Selected

Oct 29, 2018 11:48AM ● By Kathleen Maris
The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) has selected 40 farmers to participate in the 2019 SC Industrial Hemp Pilot Program. The farmers represent 24 counties throughout the state. 19 of the 20 Permitted Growers from 2018 are included in the selection.

Permit Recipient                   County

William Dupree Atkinson

Marion

Steven Neal Baxley, Jr.

Marion

Nathan James Bradford

Sumter

Albert Stewart Bueno

Orangeburg

David F. Bulick

Charleston

Patrick Edward Burch

Florence

Jack Canty

York

Michelle Diane Davis

Berkeley

Kevin R. Dean

Charleston and Williamsburg

Vanessa English

Richland

Mark P. Ezekiel

Aiken

Felicia Roshell Jamison

Calhoun and Orangeburg

John Andrew Fogle

Orangeburg

Danny Lee Ford

Anderson

Thomas E. Garrison III

Anderson

Norman Daniel Gibson

Greenwood

Dianne Hill Harrell

Florence

Deborah Justice

Oconee

Kimberly Ann Kitchens

Charleston

Michelle White Lein

Anderson

Harry Bancroft Limehouse III

Aiken

Robert Douglas Mason

Marion

Matthew O’Brien

Fairfield

Gerard Pick

Pickens

Randle Palmer Quimby

Bamberg

Shawn Ransford

Charleston

Janel Dena Ralph

Horry and Marion

Jaqueline Rhinehart

Saluda

John Townsend Rivers

Sumter

Walter Lamar Scott

Charleston

Melinda F. Shambley

Colleton

Don Carlos Sharp

Allendale

Robbie Lanier Springs

Williamsburg

Michael Todd Stamps

Richland

Michael J. Tucker

Lexington, Newberry

James Ulmer

Orangeburg

Richard Alan Varnadoe

Bamberg

Joseph Henry Watson

Saluda

Joe Edward Wilkes

Fairfield

Robert P. Wilkins, Jr.

Florence

“I’m excited about the increased interest in growing industrial hemp, and look forward to working with each of the 40 growers this upcoming year to continually build upon our state’s agriculture industry,” said Hugh Weathers, South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture. 

The 40 permit recipients were chosen from 162 applications. Selection was based on several key factors, including:
  • Completed application
  • Agriculture experience
  • Geographic balance across South Carolina
  • Accredited college/university partner
  • Purpose of the crop, end use
  • Processor experience and location
  • Ability to secure needed equipment and financing
Seven accredited universities will work with the pilot program participants: University of South Carolina, Medical University of South Carolina, South Carolina State University, Clemson University, USC Beaufort, Furman University, and College of Charleston.

“A high priority is nurturing the current growers and the investments they made, risks they took for this inaugural growing season. And as we continue developing this industry, we work towards a goal of expanding opportunities for farmers, so South Carolina can truly compete on a national and international level,” said Weathers.