The South Carolina Farm Bureau, along with the SC Department of Agriculture and Clemson University, has been hard at work to secure disaster relief for our farmers since the October flood.

As you may know, Congress passed an omnibus spending bill containing disaster relief funding for South Carolinians affected by the flood. Unfortunately, that funding has been dispersed to the City of Columbia, Lexington, Richland County. It will not be able to help farmers.

That’s why ag industry leaders, including SCFB President Harry Ott, have meet with Gov. Haley to discuss how the agriculture community moves forward with disaster relief.

At the Statehouse, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Brian White has presented legislation H. 4717, the Palmetto Farm Aid Bill, which will use up to $40 million in state funds to help farmers who have experienced significant crop loss. SCFB worked with Chairman White to help create this legislation.

You can read the full text of the bill here: http://goo.gl/OsSiJf

The bill was amended and passed a second reading of the SC House. It will soon be sent over to the SC Senate for more debate.

At this point, the bill has over 60 sponsors. Please contact your Legislator; ask for their support of H. 4717 and to stand with farmers during this unprecedented time.