FLORENCE, S.C.–Save the dates, January 23 and 24, 2019, for the 7th annual SC AgriBiz & Farm Expo located at the Florence Center in Florence, SC. The two-day expo features educational workshops, a trade show with over 100 exhibitors, great food and opportunities to connect and embrace everything ag. Entrance is free to all.
On Wednesday, January 23rd, start the morning off right with the Farmer Appreciation Breakfast compliments of AgFirst Farm Credit Bank, if you are a farmer you are welcome to attend.  The general session will begin after the breakfast where all will enjoy hearing more about the farm bill, tariffs and “Celebrating Agriculture” with Michele Payn of Cause Matters. Michele will be presenting several times at the Expo, so she is a speaker you will not want to miss. She is amazing and engaging, as you will learn about embracing others who have different views of agriculture. Michele will provide guidance to each attendee as we face increased nuisance lawsuits, on farm challenges and understanding the necessity of proactive positioning. Make it a priority to attend Michele’s sessions – you won’t be disappointed.
On Wednesday and Thursday, educational workshops have been developed to focus on the varying needs of the agricultural interest in the Carolinas. The Field Crops Track will have workshops focused on hemp and forestry along with presentations about the ACREs program. Day two of the Expo includes presentations from Dr. Ron Heiniger from NC State and Kevin Matthews with Matthews Family Farms. Dr. Heiniger and Matthews will discuss new high yield management practices for corn and soybeans as well as how to produce these yields on your farm.
The Fruit and Vegetable Track includes informative and enlightening working sessions. Many of the sessions provide pesticide license/recertification credits as well as a CAMM training session offers two credit hours on “Crop Utilization of Manure Nutrients and Soil Fertility.”
The Women in Ag Track has something for every farmwoman. Women will enjoy the educational tracks as well as connecting with other individuals sharing the same goals and objectives.
The Expo is not complete without joining everyone for the Taste of South Carolina, on Wednesday, January 23rd at 6:15pm. What a celebration of agriculture, where you will enjoy the finest foods grown in South Carolina as well as networking with others in the ag community.
Thursday, January 24th is another great day to celebrate agriculture, as Hugh Weathers, SC Commissioner of Agriculture, is the keynote speaker at the Commissioner Breakfast. The 7th annual fundraiser provides students with much needed financial support to attend the Commissioners School of Ag. Come support our deserving young people and visit with the Commissioner.
There is so much more to share, so check out the website at https://www.scagribizexpo.com
View the 2019 Schedule of Events
—Miriam Pflug, SC AgriBiz Expo
