“Grounded in Our Roots, Focused on Our Future”

— DeShawn L. Blanding

Our focus areas

The Policy plan

Roughly 95% of South Carolinians are not directly employed in the food and farming sectors, yet 100% are affected by food prices, supply chain stability, and economic spillovers. When one part fails, the whole system feels it: family farms struggle, food becomes less accessible and affordable, rural communities lose opportunity, and our land is pushed beyond its limits. Addressing these challenges requires practical, comprehensive solutions that strengthen the entire agricultural system.

The Vision: From Competition to Cooperations

South Carolina’s farmers and rural entrepreneurs are strongest when they can build together. Still, our agricultural system has stifled access to resources in the name of maintaining competition, pushing our small mid-size family farmers and favoring large industrial-scale farming operations and agribusinesses. Our vision for a new South Carolina is simple, rooted in community and moving forward towards cooperative economic development. I grew up in the Silver Community in Clarendon County, South Carolina, where we believed in the value of caring for each other and loving our neighbor. Our church exemplified this by sharing fruits and vegetables grown in personal gardens; Our FFA chapter emulated this through community service, earning the Key to the City of Manning for both our local FFA chapter (under DeShawn’s leadership as the Manning FFA chapter president) and for DeShawn’s personal leadership and service. Our vision is returning to these principles of service and stewardship through cooperative models, partnering with local farmers, local governments, community- and faith-based organizations, and other organizations.

Cooperation is at the core of our reset plan and agenda, reflected in an integrated approach to building a strong, resilient future for South Carolina agriculture.

The #RootedForward Reset Plan

  • South Carolina’s farmers are limited by outdated infrastructure and few processing facilities. Our plan will establish a Regional Agricultural Infrastructure and Innovation Network and community food hubs through public-private partnerships with farmers, local governments, communities, and our land-grant universities (Clemson and South Carolina State). The local community will own these centers as a worker-owned cooperative to spark local job growth and economic development. By investing in and researching innovative ways to improve the infrastructure that supports production, processing, and distribution, we can help farmers operate more efficiently, improve the food supply chain in South Carolina, and ensure our state’s agriculture sector remains strong and resilient.

  • South Carolina ranks 7th in the nation for worst food insecurity, and farmers see less of the food dollar than they did 40 years ago. Our farmers produce incredible food and other goods, but too often the economic value leaves our state. We will modernize and expand the Certified South Carolina Grown initiative and the State Farmers Markets to strengthen in-state purchasing that connects farmers directly with schools, restaurants, retailers, and state institutions. By building procurement partnerships and cooperative aggregation models, we can create stronger local markets and food security where farmers pool their resources and produce instead of competing for markets. We will expand our State Farmers Markets to connect producers to local food hubs. Keeping more of the goods produced and the food dollar in South Carolina supports farm viability, strengthens local businesses, and ensures that families have greater access to fresh, locally produced food.

  • The future of South Carolina agriculture depends on ensuring that young and beginning farmers have the opportunity to succeed. We will launch a Next-Generation Agriculture Initiative that expands access to land, capital, and training for new, young, disadvantaged, and veteran farmers. This includes grants for land acquisition and improvement, expanded technical training and farm apprenticeships, and stronger support for agricultural education programs like FFA and supervised agricultural experiences. By investing in the next generation, we can ensure that South Carolina farms remain productive, innovative, and family-owned for generations to come.

  • South Carolina’s farmers and rural communities are the backbone of our state, yet too many face economic stress, natural disasters, and limited access to healthcare and support services. Our Rural Resilience and Health Framework will strengthen both community well-being and agricultural stability by expanding access to mental health care, rural healthcare providers, and community-based social services, while building strong local support networks through partnerships with healthcare providers, local organizations, and faith institutions. At the same time, we will enhance disaster preparedness and recovery by establishing a farmer emergency fund, strategic food reserves, and a coordinated statewide response framework. Together, these efforts ensure that resilience is rooted not just in infrastructure, but in people — protecting livelihoods, stabilizing our food system, and building stronger, more connected rural communities.