Putting knowledge to work for SC USING LOCAL AND REGIONAL ASSETS Dr. David Hughes, Devin Swindall, Blake Lanford, Emily Purcell

Provide Support Infrastructure for Developing Local Food System  Analyzed basic trends for agriculture and forestry in Horry County and the NESA Region.  Analyzed basic trends for agri-processing and forests products in Horry County and the NESA Region.

Provide Support Infrastructure for Developing Local Food System  Conducted economic impact of the agribusiness system in Horry County and the NESA Region.  Surveyed key stakeholders (producers, others) and conducted focus groups.  Based on data results included other success stories in our recommendations.

Provide Support Infrastructure for Developing Local Food System Farmers/ Ranchers Aggregation Processors Distributors Restaurant/ Food Service Consumers Waste Disposal Input Suppliers Shared Mission / Values Farm Viability Farmland Preservation Healthy Food Access Sustainable Production Shared Operational Values Accountability Long-term Commitment Open Communication Transparency

Provide Support Infrastructure for Developing Local Food System  Pursue the planned development of food hub facilities that serve as an aggregation point for local/regional specialty crops distributed through established networks to regional retailers and food service providers.

Pursue a formal feasibility study for the development of a tourist oriented equestrian park

 Allocate funding for the development a feasibility study for multi-purpose equestrian facilities, to include demand analysis, complete cost analysis, potential economic impact and architectural alternatives

Work with regional peanut producers to pursue investment in peanut shelling facilities  Use existing sheller feasibility study to leverage local investment in facilities that serve regional peanut commodity producers.

Work with regional peanut producers to pursue investment in peanut shelling facilities  Coordinate the location of facilities in Horry County through communication with existing producers and peanut buying stations.

Leverage existing export networks to develop a market for regionally grown sweet potatoes  Organize potential sweet potato producers and stakeholders with established export networks to develop a marketing plan that would provide producer access to Asian markets.

Leverage existing export networks to develop a market for regionally grown sweet potatoes  Determine and develop the infrastructure needs of producers to capitalize on the export market.

Capitalize on the national trend of brew pubs and develop linkages with local agribusiness  Employ Horry County’s tourism prominence towards the incubation of new or expansion of existing craft breweries in Horry County

Capitalize on the national trend of brew pubs and develop linkages with local agribusiness  Drive local investment in the development of the craft brewery market in Horry County.  Organize potential producers with breweries to supply locally grown inputs.

Putting knowledge to work for SC Next Steps - Questions?