1. The South Carolina Farm Bureau was founded in 1944 when a group of farmers realized their collective voice was needed to protect farming and rural lifestyles from becoming regulated out of business by state and national lawmakers.

2. Every county in the state has its own Farm Bureau chapter and a volunteer board of local farmers.

3. Anyone who supports locally grown food, preservation of the environment and wildlife habitats, rural lifestyles, and a strong work ethic of family farmers can and is encouraged to join Farm Bureau. You don’t have to be a farmer or buy insurance to join!

4. Farm Bureau is a non-profit advocate organization. It provides college scholarships, a voice for family farmers, leadership development programs, and programs like Ag in the Classroom, which tells the “farm story” to teachers and students.

5. Farm Bureau is South Carolina’s largest general farm organization open to anyone who supports our mission.

6. Farm Bureau represents South Carolina farmers before the state legislature and Congress, and helps to keep the food and fiber locally produced.

7. Since its inception, the SC Farm Bureau has had only five Presidents: Robert R. Coker, E. Hugh Agnew, David Sloan, Harry S. Bell and David M. Winkles (all farmers).

8. Farm Bureau is a family-oriented organization and has programs designed for specific commodity interests, women, youth, young farmers, and teachers.

9. Annual county Farm Bureau membership dues range from $33 to $40. That’s about 75 cents per week, which can easily be recovered by using member benefits and discount programs.

The Federation uses the money to:

§         Protect the rights of all family farmers to grow food locally

§         Maintain property rights for all landowners

§         Protect and conserve the environment and natural resources

§         Educate students about the value of agriculture

§         Sponsor many other activities that help carry out our mission