S.C. legislation seeks to preserve state’s precious farmland
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - More people are moving to South Carolina than nearly every other state – and industry is expanding here at an unprecedented rate.
But there’s a downside to that growth: South Carolina is among the states facing the highest threat of losing its valuable farmland.
South Carolina’s commissioner of agriculture says while the state welcomes growth, a new law shows its commitment to ensure that agriculture and family farms remain a key part of South Carolina’s future.
“What are we going to look like in 100 years?” Gov. Henry McMaster said. “We must be sure that we here today are doing what is necessary to see that we preserve the beauty and the strength of this state.”
MORE | ‘Fentanyl-induced homicide’ bill advances at S.C. State House
One of South Carolina’s top prosecutors says illicit fentanyl is the most significant challenge law enforcement faces in this state and across the country.
That’s found in places like the family-owned Cottle Strawberry Farm in Richland County.
But last year, a developer made a deal that was almost too good to turn down.
“But as my son, Hunter, said to me, ‘Mom, some dreams are not for sale,’” said Joy Cottle, owner of the farm.
But in just the last two decades, South Carolina has lost almost enough farmland to make up the size of the city of Greenville.
“We are getting people coming in, offering huge amounts of money for agricultural land,” said Harry Ott, South Carolina Farm Bureau president. “They don’t really want to sell it because they would love to it on to the next generation and the next generation, but it’s hard to turn down all of that money.”
MORE | Experts step up their hunt for invasive yellow-legged hornets
Yellow-legged hornets aren’t any more dangerous to people than garden-variety hornets. But they kill bees, which are key pollinators for agriculture.
A new law the governor ceremonially signed Tuesday is designed to give those farmers another option.
“We have got to keep our farms sustainable, we have got to keep those properties intact with those families, and this bill is going to do that,” said the measure’s lead sponsor, Rep. Patrick Haddon, R-Greenville.
The “Working Agricultural Lands Preservation Act” aims to protect South Carolina’s millions of acres of farmland from development by establishing a new fund through the state’s Conservation Bank.
It’ll give eligible farmers money in return for selling their development rights – and putting their land in a conservation easement.
That protects it from future development and industrialization – while the farmers maintain ownership of the property.
South Carolina Aquarium sees influx of sea turtle patients
In less than two weeks, the South Carolina Aquarium has received seven new sick or injured sea turtle patients requiring medical attention.
Then if they eventually sell the property, it has to remain farmland.
“In my mind, the state has a compelling interest in saving farmland, so that we provide those funds for families that are being pushed out in some instances, and they don’t want to sell but they don’t have another way of doing it,” Haddon said.
This new law will have to be funded through the state budget.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
