WHEREAS, changing state and world conditions, disrupted markets, extremely low commodity prices and drought conditions have created a financial crisis in the agricultural industry in South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, the agricultural financial crisis is resulting in farmers and associated businesses being forced to close their doors; and

WHEREAS, many small minority-owned and family farms are having difficulty finding an appropriate market niche; and

WHEREAS, the difficulties faced by large and small farms and the businesses associated with them are having an extremely deleterious effect on rural South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, a financial crisis in agriculture, one of the largest and most important industries in the state, will adversely affect the well being of the entire state; and

WHEREAS, an effective Farmers Market in Columbia could provide some economic relief to this struggling industry by providing a reliable outlet for alternative crops to the more traditional corn, cotton, soybeans, wheat and tobacco.

NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby establish a Study Committee to Redefine the State’s Objectives in Having a State Farmers Market. The Study Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

• Identify the State’s purpose in having a State Farmers Market in Columbia.
• Identify who the Market should serve.
• Identify who will benefit from the Market.
• Identify what components would be necessary for the efficient and effective operation of a Market and where it should be located.
• Identify how capital improvements and operation of the Market should be financed.
• Identify how the Market should be managed.

FURTHER, the Study Committee shall have the following members who shall be appointed by the undersigned, unless otherwise indicated:

1. The Governor, or his designee;
2. The Commissioner of Agriculture, or his designee;
3. The Chairman of the Agriculture Commission of South Carolina, or his designee;
4. The Secretary of Commerce, or his designee;
5. The Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, or his designee;
6. The Chairman of the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee, or his designee;
7. The President of the South Carolina Farm Bureau, or his designee;
8. Two representatives of the seasonal food industry;
9. Three vegetable producers;
10. Two wholesale brokers;
11. A horticultural producer;
12. A representative from higher education with expertise in farmers markets; and
13. Two members of the public, at least one of whom will represent consumer interests.