Providing the citizens with food, fiber, and fuel is the job that farmers all across the United States and right here in Dillon County are committed to doing each day. Farmers make a tremendous contribution, providing the necessities of life, to our country and our world.
March 15th is the 43rd annual National Ag Day, and it is a time to celebrate, recognize, and show our gratitude for American agriculture and the American farmer. This year’s theme is “Stewards of a Healthy Planet.”
Statistics show that one American farmer feeds more than 144 people. Agriculture is the number one export in the United States. U.S. Agriculture provides plentiful, safe, affordable, and nutritious food, a wide range of clothing choices, renewable resources, and plays a vital role in our economy.
With the advances in technology, farmers are more productive and efficient, more environmentally friendly, and more conservation conscious than ever before.
Not that long ago, most people were involved themselves in agriculture or had friends and relatives who were a part of agriculture. This is no longer true in many places across the country; however, in Dillon County, agriculture still has a strong and important presence with many well-known farm families that have been contributing to the community for generations. These farm families — too many to name individually — are part of our schools, churches, civic organizations, and are a significant part of the community.
According to USDA statistics, there are 222 farms in Dillon County with an average size of 473 acres. The land in farms in Dillon County total 104,937 acres. The USDA cash receipts for 2011 (the latest statistics provided) showed that Dillon County’s cash receipts for crops ranked 12th in the state and cash receipts for livestock ranked 14th. The latest Ag Census numbers show Dillon County farmers raised 75,195 hogs and pigs, 1.62 million broilers, and 2,297 cattle and calves.
They farmed 4,200 acres of peanuts, producing 14,641,200 pounds; 20,600 acres of wheat, producing 1,091,800 bushels; 17,000 acres of corn, producing 164,900 bushels; 31,300 acres of soybeans, producing 939,000 bushels; and 9,600 acres of cotton, producing 8,620,800 pounds.
2015 was a difficult year for farmers. At the SC AgriBiz and Farm Expo’s South Carolina Agriculture Commissioners Breakfast, Commissioner Hugh Weathers said that the total agricultural losses caused by the flood are expected to exceed half a billion dollars.
Commissioner Weathers said agribusiness is still the #1 industry in South Carolina generating $41.7 billion in economic impact and supporting over 200,000 jobs statewide. This is a 23% growth from 2006 and a significant step closer to reaching our state’s 50×20 goal (increase the economic impact of agribusiness to $50 billion by 2020).
Agritourism is gaining popularity with over 40 stops around South Carolina. We recently launched the AgriTourism Passport program. The Passport will guide you to agritourism destinations where you can get a stamp to earn Certified SC prizes. The Certified SC Grown program is thriving with nearly 1800 members, and Fresh on the Menu program features restaurants that source at least 25% local products.
Commissioner Weathers said at the breakfast, “2015 brought its fair share of challenges, and this year, it’s more important than ever that we show our support for the state’s #1 industry.”
Despite the challenges of 2015, the agricultural industry in South Carolina and Dillon County is resilient and committed to providing high quality products to us all.
