Growing Forward: SC New & Beginning Farmer Program Blog

From Acronyms to Assistance: A New Farmer’s Guide to South Carolina Agricultural Organizations

By Ben Boyles and Diana Vossbrinck
Clemson University Cooperative Extension
South Carolina New and Beginning Farmer Program

March 31, 2026

If you spend any time in South Carolina’s agriculture community, you’ll hear a lot of acronyms, FSA, NRCS, SCDA, SBDC, and more. For new and beginning farmers, this alphabet soup can be confusing.  The reality is that South Carolina has a strong network of organizations that support farmers through education, financing, conservation programs, and marketing opportunities. This guide breaks down the key organizations and explains how they help farmers succeed.

South Carolina Agricultural Organizations (Alphabetical Order)

Organization AcronymFull Organization NameCategory(s)
4-HClemson University Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth DevelopmentYouth Programming
ACREAgribusiness Center for Research and EntrepreneurshipEducation, Funding
ASAPAppalachian Sustainable Agriculture ProjectNon-Profit, Education, Environmental, Conferences
CFSACarolina Farm Stewardship AssociationNon-Profit, Advocacy, Education, Environmental, Conferences, Technical Assistance
CSPConservation Stewardship Program (USDA)Environmental
CUCESClemson University Cooperative Extension ServiceEducation
DPIClemson University Department of Plant IndustryRegulatory
DPRClemson University Department of Pesticide RegulationRegulatory
EQIPEnvironmental Quality Incentives Program
(USDA – NRCS)
Environmental, Funding
FFASouth Carolina Future Farmers of AmericaYouth Programming
FSAFarm Service Agency (USDA)Funding, Federal
FVCSCFarmer Veteran Coalition of South CarolinaNon-profit, Conferences
LPHClemson University Livestock Poultry HealthRegulatory
NASSNational Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA)Federal Services
NRCSNatural Resources Conservation Service (USDA)Federal Services, Environmental
RDRural Development (USDA)Federal Services, Funding
RMARisk Management Agency (USDA)Funding, Federal Services, Insurance
SARE – NationalSustainable Agriculture Research and Education Education, Funding, Environmental
SARE – Southern RegionSouthern Sustainable Agriculture Research and EducationEducation, Funding, Environmental
SC-SARESouth Carolina Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education – South CarolinaEducation, Funding, Environmental
SCAASouth Carolina Agritourism AssociationNon-profit, Marketing, Conferences
SCACDSouth Carolina Association of Conservation DistrictsEnvironmental
SCBFCSouth Carolina Black Farmers CoalitionNon-profit, Conferences
SCDASouth Carolina Department of AgricultureState Agency
SCDESSouth Carolina Department of Environmental ServicesState Agency, Environmental
SCF2SSouth Carolina Farm to SchoolF2S Resources
SCFBSouth Carolina Farm BureauAdvocacy, Insurance
SCFCSouth Carolina Farm Credit (including AgSouth and ArborOne)Funding
SCFHNSouth Carolina Food Hub NetworkMarketing
SCAFMSouth Carolina Association of Farmers MarketsNon-profit
SCFSNSouth Carolina Food Systems Network (formerly known as SC Food Policy Council)Non-profit, Advocacy
SCNBFPSouth Carolina New and Beginning Farmer Program (Clemson Extension)Education, Technical Assistance
SCSCGASouth Carolina Specialty Crop Growers AssociationNon-profit, Marketing*
SCSU 1890South Carolina State University 1890 Research and ExtensionEducation
SCSBDCSouth Carolina Small Business Development CentersEducation, Technical Assistance
SCWAgNSCWAgNEducation, Conferences
SWCDSC Soil and Water Conservation DistrictsEnvironmental
SCDNRSouth Carolina Department of Natural ResourcesEnvironmental

Additional Resource Organizations (Non-Acronymn)

We know that some organizations and agencies that support farmers do not have an acronym, so we wanted to add them here:

CategoryOrganization
EducationAnnie’s Project
Education, Marketing, RegulatoryClemson Extension Food2Market Program
RegulatorySouth Carolina Department of Agriculture – Wholesale Food Safety
RegulatorySouth Carolina Department of Agriculture – Milk Safety
Education, Technical AssistanceClemson Extension Agribusiness Team
Education, Technical AssistanceClemson Extension Water Resources Team

Welcome to the SC New and Beginning Farmer Program (SCNBFP) Blog!

Welcome to the blog home of Clemson University Cooperative Extension’s South Carolina New and Beginning Farmer Program (SCNBFP).

Through this space, we’ll share updates on upcoming programs and events, highlight stories from program alumni, and provide resources to support both new and established farmers across South Carolina.

Since its launch in 2010, the SCNBFP has worked to equip aspiring and early-stage farmers with the knowledge, connections, and confidence needed to build successful farm businesses. As we celebrate 16 years of supporting our state’s emerging farmers, we look forward to using this blog as another way to stay connected with the farmers and communities we serve. Join us as we keep Growing Forward!