FLORENCE, S.C. — The SC AgriBiz & Farm Expo offers a ripe bounty of information for fruit and vegetable growers. Returning to the Florence Center in Florence, S.C., the expo will be on Jan. 23 and 24 and admission is free.
“Education is a primary goal of the SC AgriBiz & Farm Expo. Programs are designed to give farmers the tools they need to grow better crops and make a profit,” said expo executive director Jody Martin.
Established seven years ago, the expo was designed to serve as an umbrella event for all aspects of agriculture and agribusiness. Designed to incorporate the industry’s deep traditional roots along with today’s thriving innovations, this event streamlines the promotion and the expansion of the business of agriculture in South Carolina and beyond.
The expo will offer two general sessions and four educational tracks. The tracks are: field crops, fruits and vegetables, livestock and women in agriculture. For anyone growing produce, the fruit and vegetable track will offer valuable information. Throughout both days, specific sessions will explore various components of production, marketing and long-term success.
Senior Extension Specialist Tony Melton with Clemson Extension will present Surviving and Thriving 50 Years in the Produce Industry. In the session, hewill share real-world practical knowledge, he has gained working in the vegetable industry for 50 years; knowledge necessary to begin and operate a vegetable/fruit farm. His topics will include operation of a vegetable/fruit farm, equipment (irrigation, tractors, implements, harvesting equipment, safety, etc.), production planning, marketing, pesticide use/weed control/safety and budgeting.
Melton will also moderate a session called Successfully Growing Fruits and Vegetables. The session will feature researchers and experts from across the Carolinas who will cover topics including: plant diseases, weed biology and management, soil insect pests affecting sweet potatoes and saving the butterbean industry in S.C.
Another session specific to fruits and vegetables will be presented by Food Lion Local Produce Sourcing Specialist Lonny Kelley. The session will describe how to get into the wholesale markets for produce.
Also, NC State University Extension Agent Bruce McLean will present Accessing Markets to Maximize the Potential of Your Farm. The presentation will discuss the importance of understanding the different market possibilities that may be available to a grower and choosing a path to meet the goals of the grower.
New for 2019 are Lunch ‘n Learn sessions where brief and timely topics will be discussed during the luncheon period. Another highlight of the expo will once again be the Taste of SC, a ticketed event set for Jan. 23. Also, there will be a farm show with more than 100 exhibitors of farm equipment, supplies and services.
“Whether you produce cotton, soybeans, cattle, corn, hemp or grow peaches or vegetables, there will be something for you at the expo,” Martin said. “We hope farmers from South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia and other states will attend the expo in January. We designed a program that is on par with national conferences. All are welcome and urged to attend.”
More information on all educational sessions, speaker biographies and other expo details are available athttps://www.scagribizexpo.com/
View the 2019 Schedule of Events
— Miriam Pflug, SC Agribiz Expo