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South Carolina Department of Agriculture MARKET BULLETIN Vol. 94 • Num. 23 December 10, 2020 Est. 1913 DURING PANDEMIC, AGRITOURISM FARMS COMMISSIONER’S GET CREATIVE CORNER BY EVA MOORE HUGH E. WEATHERS When the coronavirus pandemic struck the United States in early 2020, Denver Downs Farm had to SOUTH CAROLINA cancel its annual Easter egg hunt and other spring COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE events. By fall, though, things had changed. With COVID- 19 protocols that included masked employees, FAREWELL TO 2020 temperature checks, and a sanitation crew that ard to believe event inside, and it came cleans high-contact surfaces throughout the 2020 is drawing off well. SCETV broadcast day, Denver Downs opened its farm for seasonal to a close. Most it on air and online for activities including a corn maze, pumpkin patch H years, when you look everyone to enjoy. and pig races. back over the preceding This year we’ve also “This fall we were not expecting that many people A screenshot from McLeod Farms’ Virtual Pumpkin Field 12 months, there are lots learned that some things to want to check out the farm,” says Catherine Trip, available at macspride.com/virtual-field-trips of themes and events don’t change. Like the grit that stick out. In 2020, “We’ve had an upswing and resilience of farmers, COVID is pretty much in membership since or the generosity of our the story. Somehow it will COVID.” neighbors. That generosity be a relief just to see 2021 made our Farmers to Food Of course, things are on the calendar. Banks program a great still difficult for farmers, But 2020 has been a rich success, distributing some including those that year nonetheless. From 20,000 boxes of fresh make money off steak to paper towels, produce to South Carolina agritourism. the average American families. Old McCaskill Farm’s learned a lot about the After the holidays, 2019 Fall Family Farm efficiencies and challenges January marks the Day drew almost 4,000 of the agricultural supply beginning of “meeting people in one day – chain. Farmers market season,” as I like to call it. but this year, Kathy attendance is up, and Agricultural organizations McCaskill felt she had people are searching out like to hold their annual to cancel both her local food to support meetings at the beginning Denver Downs’ pumpkin patch drew people seeking outdoor fun during COVID-19. spring and fall events. farmers and their of the year, but with Photo courtesy Denver Downs. communities. It will be the pandemic still going “Even though we’re interesting to watch what on – and in some places, Davis, co-owner of Denver Downs, a century farm an open-air environment, 4,000 is still too many I hope will be a positive getting worse – many are in Anderson. “We were very surprised and happy people,” notes the Rembert, SC farmer. Instead, post-COVID impact for holding meetings online when people really did show up.” she’s hosted some smaller events, asking for agriculture. or have cancelled them donations rather than the usual admission fee. She In the early days of the pandemic, like nearly all We’ve all had to adapt, altogether. I’ll miss the opens her farm store each Thursday and Friday businesses, agritourism farms took a hit. Schools in big ways and small. chance to see farmers from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and serves lunch on Fridays. closed, cancelling the weekday field trips that I’ll give you a small gathered together at these She’s also signed up with Harvest Hosts, a website bring in revenue and young visitors to learn about example: I was invited meetings. We’ve all gotten that helps people find scenic places – like farms – farming. Some U-pick berry farms opened while to sing at the Governor’s used to Zoom gatherings, to park their RVs for a night. others remained closed, reflecting early uncertainty Carolighting, the annual but they’re just not the about the best ways to protect against the virus. Other farms have found ways to adapt to the online kickoff to the holiday same. Large events were restricted by the order of the world of COVID-19. McLeod Farms, for example, season at the South For now, my wish is for governor. created a Virtual Pumpkin Field Trip and posted it Carolina State House. you and your family to to YouTube. The video includes a walkthrough of This year, attendance was But as the pandemic wore have a Merry Christmas! the farm’s pumpkin patch, storytime, and a lesson already capped due to the on, South Carolinians And with the Advent on farming methods used at the farm. Schools coronavirus – and then began to seek out season upon us, I hope can even order pumpkins from the farm so their bad weather threatened agritourism activities. And that you experience hope, students can make a hands-on connection to the the outdoor event. But farms began to find ways love, joy, and peace to the virtual field trip. this is an important event to safely invite people onto fullest. I hope the New for South Carolinians, their properties. Many farms have moved to online ticket sales, with Year brings health and and it seemed especially some requiring timed admission to avoid crowding, stability to this world that “I think people are realizing important this year. So we says Moore. She expects online ticketing to remain we share – and to your they can get outside,” says adapted, and moved the an important part of agritourism even after the little corner of it. Jackie Moore, director pandemic. of the South Carolina Agritourism Association. “I Through it all, Denver Downs’ Davis says she’s tried think people are finding out to adapt and keep moving. how much fun it is.” “We try to stay positive during all this,” Davis says. Her organization is actually “A lot of times in agriculture things are out of your growing, Moore notes: control, so you stay with what you can control.” MARKET BULLETIN DECEMBER SCHEDULE Market Bulletin Office Monday – Friday • 8 AM – 4:30 PM Please note: 803-734-2536 • [email protected] There will only be one issue in December. agriculture.sc.gov/market-bulletin Due to the holidays, the deadline schedule has been adjusted to the following: EDITOR Eva Moore ADS & CIRCULATION December 21 Ad Deadline COORDINATOR Janet Goins for January 7, 2021 Issue GRAPHIC DESIGNER Stephanie Finnegan Ads must be received by 12:00 pm on the deadline date to be included. South Carolina Department of Agriculture GIVE THE GIFT OF Contacts South Carolina Department of Agriculture Commissioner’s Office MARKET BULLETIN 803-734-2190 Certified SC Program Hemp Farming Program 803-734-2207 803-734-8339 Business contacts Friends Family Consumer Protection Livestock & Grain 803-737-9700 Market News 803-737-4621 This holiday season, share the Market Bulletin through a gift subscription. Fruit & Vegetable Inspection 803-737-4588 Market News Recording Visit agriculture.sc.gov/market-bulletin to subscribe. 803-737-5900 Fruit & Vegetable Market News Metrology Laboratory 803-737-4497 803-253-4052 The South Carolina Market Bulletin (ISSN 0744-3986) The Market Bulletin is published on the first and third Thursday SALES & AUCTIONS of each month by the SC Department of Agriculture, Wade Hampton Building, Columbia, SC 29201. Periodicals postage Claxton's Auction More Bull for Your Buck Sale paid at Columbia, SC 29201. December 12 & 19 • 11 am January 16 • 10 am – 3 pm Postmaster, send address changes to: Every Saturday. Equine, cows, sheep, goats, pigs, Annual production sale featuring over 40 Red SC Market Bulletin, PO Box 11280, Columbia, SC 29211 camelots, ratites, poultry, and small animals. Angus bulls and approximately 25-30 registered and 18627 Low Country Hwy, Ruffin commercial heifers. POLICIES FOR ADVERTISING Contact: William Claxton Bull Hill Red Angus Ranch For full policies, visit: 843-909-4285 • [email protected] 1986 Trinity Church Road, Gray Court agriculture.sc.gov/market-bulletin/market-bulletin-policies Contact: Raymond Prescott Only ads pertaining to the production of agricultural products 18th Annual Charolais Source Bull Sale 864-981-2080 • [email protected] and related items are published. Ads are accepted for South December 12 • 12 – 3 pm bullhillredangusranch.com Carolina items, even if the seller lives out of state, provided 35+bulls, bred and open heifers. This is our 18th the item is in state at the time the ad is published and at the year selling Charolais Bulls – good, dependable time of sale. bulls for great performance out of AI stock. Ads are published free of charge and in good faith. The Market Chester Livestock Auction Bulletin reserves the right to edit and verify ads but assumes no responsibility for their content. 2531 Lancaster Hwy,Chester Ads cannot be accepted from agents, dealers, or commercial Contact: Tommy Wilks businesses, including real estate. Sealed bids, legal notices, or 843-307-0323 • [email protected] consignment sales are not accepted. facebook.com/chester-livestock-exchange-inc-275689428679 SUBMITTING ADS SCDA State Farmers Markets No matter the submission method, you must include the advertiser’s name, complete address with zip code and county, SOUTH CAROLINA GREENVILLE PEE DEE VISIT and phone number with area code with your submission. Do STATE FARMERS MARKET STATE FARMERS MARKET STATE FARMERS MARKET AGRICULTURE.SC.GOV not use all capital letters. 3483 Charleston Highway 1354 Rutherford Road 2513 W. Lucas Street Click on the State Farmers Markets West Columbia, SC 29172 Greenville, SC 29609 Florence, SC 29501 button for more information about • Email: Send ads to [email protected]. Put the 803-737-4664 864-244-4023 843-665-5154 each location words “Market Bulletin ad” in the subject line.