South Carolina Agriculture and Forestry
Agriculture and Forestry
Agriculture and forestry (the food, fiber and forestry industry) in South Carolina, is one of the most important components of South Carolina’s economy. Seventeen percent of the state's economic product and 1 in 5 jobs are linked to the food, fiber and forestry industry.
South Carolina's food, fiber, and forestry industry provides 460,000 full and part-time jobs (22.1% of all the jobs in SC), $15.1 billion in income (over 17% of the state's total income), and creates $35.7 billion in gross sales (22.1% of the total sales in the state). Source: Statistics from “Food, Fiber, and Forestry Industries of South Carolina”, prepared by Mark S. Henry, Professor, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Clemson University.
Agriculture
The number of farms in South Carolina is estimated at 24,000, and the average farm size in the state is 196 acres. Total cash receipts for crops and livestock in South Carolina average $1.5 billion a year. The top ten commodities in the state for cash receipts are broilers; greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture; turkeys; tobacco; cattle and calves; cotton lint and seed; eggs; milk; soybeans; and hogs.
Nationally, South Carolina ranks near the top in the production of several agricultural products. The Palmetto State is ranked 2nd in peach production next to California, 2nd in flue-cured tobacco, 7th in tomato production, and 8th in both turkey and watermelon production. Farm productivity in South Carolina, as measured by average yield per acre, is near the national average in most crops, with tobacco and cotton recording yields about 11% above the national average.
Growing Season/Climate
The growing season ranges from more than 290 days in the south to less than 190 days in the northwestern mountains.
The state's annual average temperature varies from the mid-50's in the mountains to the low-60's along the coast. During the winter, average temperatures range from the mid-30's in the mountains to low-50's in the Lowcountry. During summer, average temperatures range from the upper 60's in the mountains to the mid-70's in the Lowcountry.
South Carolina has four distinct seasons. The mountains tend to block many of the cold air masses arriving from the northwest, thus making the winters somewhat milder. Measurable snowfall may occur from 1 to 3 times in a winter in all areas except the Lowcountry, where snowfall occurs on average once every three years. Accumulations seldom remain very long on the ground except in the mountains.
Tropical cyclones affect the South Carolina coast on an infrequent basis, but do provide significant influence annually through enhanced rainfall inland during the summer and fall months. Hurricanes are the most intense warm season coastal storms and are characterized by storm surge, winds, precipitation, and tornadoes.
In South Carolina, cotton has the largest percentage of irrigated acreage followed by corn, land in vegetables, land in orchards, and soybeans. Of the total irrigated acreage in South Carolina, 84.7% is sprinkler systems and 15.3% is drip or trickle systems.
Agribusiness
Food, fiber, and forestry also fit into the broader context of "value-added" industries. The system-wide economic impact on the state is considerable, resulting in total gross sales of nearly $40 billion or 22% of the state’s total. About 460,000 full and part-time jobs are attributed to food, fiber, and forestry.
Farmers and foresters---producers of raw materials---continue to strengthen their ties to the processors of food, clothing, wood, paper, and textile products. In turn, processors respond to consumer tastes by providing retailers with new and improved products for their customers.
South Carolina continues to encourage development of industries that can utilize the state's traditional and non-traditional agricultural products. An effort is underway to search for new products, seek new value-added ways to use the state's products, and recruit companies (agribusinesses) which use South Carolina grown products or which service and supply agriculture.
Farm and Forest Land
In January of 2000, South Carolina's farm real estate average value per acre, including land and buildings, reached an all time high of $1,600 per acre. Cropland average value was $1,240.
While the number of farms is declining, productivity is increasing dramatically. Individuals or families---not large corporations, own 90% of the state’s farms. Some are incorporated, but those corporations consist of fathers, sons, daughters, or partners. There are few, if any, truly "corporate" farms in the state.
South Carolina has a total of 19.9 million land acres---17.1 million of which are in farmland and forestry. There are 4.7 million in farms and 12.4 million in commercial forests. With only about 2.8 million acres left for housing and industry, interest in gaining in farmland for urban and industrial development.
South Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in the U.S., particularly in the Southeast. The Palmetto State is now home to more than 4 million people, and that figure is expected to swell by at least another 600,000 by the year 2025, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Land is being consumed by urban growth in South Carolina at much higher rates than would be predicted from population growth figures alone. More than 100,000 acres per year were converted to urban uses from 1992 to 1997. In comparison, according to the same USDA report, the growth rate, based on population increases, from 1982 to 1992 was only 40,000 acres per year. South Carolina is the ninth-ranked state, in terms of total land area developed annually.
Forestry and Timber
Thirty-five of South Carolina's 46 counties rank timber as the number one cash crop. The forestry industry, with $900 million in receipts and employing over 35,000 people, has emerged as one of the state's most valued agricultural crops. There are over 12 million acres of forestland throughout the state, nearly 72% privately owned.
South Carolina’s forestry and wood products industry is valued at $7.5 billion a year. It’s the 3rd largest manufacturing industry in the state, employing about 26,000 people with a payroll of $8.68 million a year. Source: SC Forestry Commission, 2001
South Carolina's forests have proven to be an invaluable resource for the state. Our forests provide watershed protection, wildlife habitat, forest products, beauty, recreation opportunities, and serve to improve air quality.
The sheer number of South Carolinians and those from other states who participate in hunting, fishing and other related activities is increasing. About 985,000 thousand people---almost 1 in every 3 residents---fishes in South Carolina in some form or fashion. About 300,000 people---roughly 1/10th of the state’s population---hunts. And about 807,000 citizens of the state as well as over 400,000 non-residents engage in activities such as bird feeding, bird watching, canoeing, hiking and backpacking.
Nature-based tourism---sometimes called ecotourism---is also making a big economic impact in South Carolina. It focuses on visiting, appreciating and learning about natural and cultural resources. It is one of the most rapidly growing segments of the travel and tourism industry. South Carolina, with an abundance of rivers and streams and scenic vistas, continues to be well suited as a nature travel destination.