S.C. Agriculture Technology and Business Forum coming to West Columbia

NOTE: We are at full capacity. Registration is closed. Plan to join us for the 2025 Forum!

This forum is designed to address challenges and shape the future of the state’s production agriculture.

Kendall Kirk, Clemson University Center for Agricultural Technology director

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. – Economic considerations, sustainability issues, technology and connectivity, and fruit and vegetable opportunities are on the agenda for the 2024 South Carolina Agriculture Technology and Business Forum.

This is the first year for this forum, scheduled for March 20, at the Phillips Market Center, 117 Ballard Court, West Columbia, South Carolina, 29172. There is no charge. Online registration is available at https://bit.ly/2024_Clemson_AgTech_BusinessForum. Registration also will be open beginning at 9 a.m. on the day of the forum.

Kendall Kirk, Clemson University Center for Agricultural Technology director and agriculture engineer, said the forum aims to unite leaders in South Carolina crop and livestock production for discussions on current and upcoming trends.

“This forum is designed to address challenges and shape the future of the state’s production agriculture,” Kirk said. “This event will give participants an opportunity to network and learn, as well as foster collaborative relationships with technology providers, research communities and advocacy groups.”

The forum will provide an opportunity for research institutions to listen to agribusiness stakeholders and learn about challenges they face so that the South Carolina agribusiness community can address these challenges together.

Kirk will lead the technology and connectivity panel discussion. Items to be addressed include broadband development, technology adoption challenges, and research and program needs for emerging technologies.

Nathan Smith, Clemson Cooperative Extension Service economist, will moderate a panel discussion on economic considerations. This discussion will center around macroeconomics, trends, farmland valuation and economic development. If time allows additional topics for discussion include opportunities for value-added strategies, alternative crops and diversification, taxation, zoning, meat production and international trade.

Robert Ethridge, president of Mixon Seed Service, will lead the panel discussion on sustainability issues. Topics to be discussed include regulations, environmental concerns, water use and renewable fuels. If time allows other topics for discussion include carbon markets, regenerative agriculture, the Climate-Smart Grant, on-farm resiliency and hemp.

Ronnie Summers, chief executive officer of the Palmetto Agribusiness Council, will lead a panel discussion on fruit and vegetable opportunities. This discussion will cover distribution, market access, production needs, community packing, United States Department of Agriculture’s Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification and emerging technologies.

Lunch presentations will be led by Louis Whitesides, vice president and executive director of land-grant programs at South Carolina State University. Also presenting during lunch include representatives from the South Carolina Research Authority and the South Carolina Conservation Bank.

Members of the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness and Economic Development teams will close the meeting by discussing what is being done to support economic development in the state.

This forum is organized by the Clemson Center for Agricultural Technology, South Carolina State University, the Palmetto Agribusiness Council, Mixon Seed, the South Carolina Farm Bureau and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture.

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