Columbia, SC – The winners of the Cultivating Innovation in SC Agribusiness grant program were announced today. The South Carolina Research Authority, the Wells Fargo Foundation, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, and the South Carolina Small Business Development Centers collaborated in funding and creating this acceleration program. “We’re proud to partner with these organizations to deliver a program that directly supports South Carolina’s farmers and agribusinesses,” said SCRA Interim President and CEO Bill Kirkland. “This cohort represents innovative operators already leveraging technology to grow their businesses, and through this initiative, we’re helping them access capital, scale faster, and strengthen their operations to compete and thrive in a rapidly evolving agricultural landscape.”
S.C. Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers, S.C. SBDC Senior Consultant Jim Johnson, and Wells Fargo Foundation President Darlene Goins gave remarks and participated in the check presentation ceremony.
The 21 small- to medium-sized agribusinesses will now form a cohort in the acceleration program where they can test ideas more quickly and strengthen their enterprises. “We believe investing in rural prosperity is essential for the future of South Carolina and the nation,” said Wells Fargo Foundation President Darlene Goins. “That’s why we’re proud to support the Cultivating Innovation in South Carolina Agribusiness program with a $600,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation. By collaborating with public and private sector leaders, technical experts, and business advisors, we are helping small farms grow stronger and foster thriving rural communities across the state.”
SCRA Business Development Director Mitch Smith said, “These agribusinesses were already on their way to success, and this comprehensive program is providing the guidance and support to help them achieve their next level milestones.”
Cohort members have already participated in webinars, received instructional guidance from the South Carolina Small Business Development Centers, and participated in networking and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. Grant winners are:
| Business Name | Counties |
| Advent Innovations | Richland |
| Airguard | Greenville |
| BioSensor Solutions | Richland |
| Broad River Vineyards | Chester |
| Carolina Seed Systems | Florence |
| Circular Farms | Aiken |
| City Roots | Richland |
| Crossroads Processing | Lexington |
| Edisto Gold Honey | Dorchester |
| Growing Green Family Farms | Anderson |
| Kindlewood Farms | Colleton |
| Lowcountry Fungi | Charleston |
| Marsh Hen Mill | Charleston |
| Microledon Farm | Horry |
| Old McCaskill’s Farm | Sumter |
| Peculiar Pig | Dorchester |
| Purple Mushroom | Richland |
| Realize Ascent Lab | Charleston |
| Spade and Clover | Charleston |
| Timber Wolf Services | Aiken |
| Wet Knot Farms | Greenville |
This Cultivating Innovation in SC Agribusiness grant program represents a targeted, high-impact investment in South Carolina’s agribusiness future, aligning Wells Fargo’s philanthropic goals of supporting business growth with the critical needs of a vital state industry.
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Chartered in 1983 by the State of South Carolina as a public, nonprofit corporation, South Carolina Research Authority fuels the state’s innovation economy through the impact of its comprehensive services to technology-based startups, academia, and industry. SCRA provides funding and support to accelerate the growth of academic startups; high-quality lab and administrative workspaces; facilitation and funding for partnerships between and among industry, startups, and academic institutions; assistance and funding for the relocation of technology-based companies to South Carolina; and coaching and funding for startups that may also receive investments from its affiliate, SC Launch Inc.
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