USDA Awards Grants to South Carolina Producers

Three local agricultural businesses receive over $249,000 in federal funding to expand operations.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Agriculture

USDA Awards Grants to South Carolina Producers

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The USDA has awarded $249,540 in Value-Added Producer Grants to support three small businesses across South Carolina. These funds are part of a larger $26.5 million nationwide investment aimed at helping agricultural producers develop new products and business strategies.

Why it matters

The Value-Added Producer Grant Program provides essential capital for farmers to improve operational efficiency and implement growth strategies. By supporting smaller regional entities, the program helps producers scale their operations and reach new customer bases.

The USDA invested $1,430,934 in South Carolina through the program, including $200,000 each for Hi Bräu Beef Co and Edisto Honey, LLC, and $49,540 for Fabel Farms LLC. Hi Bräu Beef Co projects a revenue increase of over 200 percent over three years.

The players

USDA

The United States Department of Agriculture is a federal executive department responsible for developing and executing laws related to farming, forestry, and food.

Hi Bräu Beef Co

Located in Newberry, this business is a recipient of federal funding aimed at increasing its customer base and revenue.

Fabel Farms LLC

This agricultural producer based in Winnsboro received a portion of the grant funding to support its operational growth.

Edisto Honey, LLC

Based in Reevesville, this company plans to use the investment to double its sales volume over the next three years.

The details

The grant funds are designated to cover operational supplies, marketing efforts, product packaging, and employee costs for the recipients. Edisto Honey, LLC, located in Reevesville, expects these investments to help more than double their total sales by the third year.

Applications for the Value-Added Producer Grant Program are accepted annually between January and May.

Market Landscape

The USDA investment follows the established pattern of the Value-Added Producer Grant Program providing necessary capital for regional agricultural growth. These grants enable smaller producers to compete more effectively by modernizing their business strategies and scaling production capacity.

Local consumers can expect these businesses to potentially increase their product availability and variety as they implement their expansion plans. The grants aim to stabilize these agricultural businesses, which may lead to more consistent local supply chains for high-quality goods.

The takeaway

Small-scale agricultural businesses can utilize federal grant programs to significantly boost revenue and expand their market presence. Producers interested in similar support should note the seasonal application window occurring early in the year.