Four Upstate businesses receive SC Department of Agriculture grants

The South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship awarded $200,000 in grants to be split among 12 businesses across the state as part of its advanced entrepreneurship program.

Four of the recipients are based in the Upstate and include:

• Blue Ridge Rabbit Meat Co. of Wellford, a family-run rabbit farm that raises and processes rabbits. The company plans to use ACRE funding to add heating and cooling systems throughout its barn.
• Farm in the Wildwood in Greenville County, which uses ecofriendly, no-till and regenerative agricultural methods to grow baby greens, herbs and various vegetables for customers. With the ACRE money, it intends to make facility improvements, improve marketing and expand its product offerings.
• The Pickled Pepper People, based in Greenville County, the company makes spicy slaw from fresh vegetables that are locally and sustainably sourced, using a traditional Haitian family recipe. This minority-owned business will use the ACRE grant money for equipment, marketing and social media, and shared kitchen expenses.
• Growing Green Family Farms in Greenville County, which supplies fresh produce to the Upstate region.

The other grant recipients are:

“Every year, I’m so impressed by the creativity, drive and diversity of the entrepreneurs who compete as part of the ACRE Advanced Entrepreneurship program,” said ACRE Executive Director Kyle Player.

Each awardee will also receive access to a network of business advisors and professional assistance with further state and federal grant applications.