2009 South Carolina Agribusiness Summit
This is an archived version of the original Palmetto Institute's 2009 Agribusiness Summit. Most of the original content has been preserved with additional sources added where needed.
The Palmetto Institute's 2009 Agribusiness Summit brought together South Carolina state leaders who represent the broad interests of agriculture, forestry, food processing, and agritourism in order to formulate an action plan to drive their industry in the expanding global market to $50 billion by the year 2020. It has been noted that the South Carolina's agribusiness industry has grown over the past three years (2006-2008) to become the state's number one economic engine.
The Palmetto Institute, an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit research as well as an educational organization was established in February 2002. The central mission and singular goal of the Institute is to create not only a business, community, but also a political and educational climate that would produce dramatic and sustained growth in the creation, distribution and retention of wealth for all South Carolinaresidents and businesses. The Palmetto Institute's dedication to consistent improvement enables South Carolina's agribusiness industry to produce on a continuous basis, the a profitable, environmental, economic and sustainable produce and products for all.
Summit participants had the opportunity to explore and identify how to accelerate growth of their industry via in-depth presentations by accredited speakers from across state and country, including a keynote presentation by The Honorable Kathleen Merrigan, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. As an added feature the summit also included a town hall forum with S.C. gubernatorial candidates for the upcoming 2010 election.
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Friday November 13th 8:30am to 2:00pm
The Francis Marion Hotel
Charleston, South Carolina
Program
8:30 am to 9 am:
Registration and Networking
9 am to 11 am:
Presentations
11 am to 12:15 pm:
Town Hall Forum with Gubernatorial Candidates, moderated by David Winkles, President, South Carolina Farm Bureau
12:15 pm to 12:45 pm:
Lunch Served
12:45 pm to 1:30 pm:
Keynote Address
1:30 pm to 2:00 pm:
Conclusion and Adjournment
Featured Speakers
Darla Moore, Palmetto Institute Board Chair
The Honorable Hugh Weathers, Commissioner of Agriculture, State of South Carolina
The Honorable Gene Kodama, South Carolina State Forester
Dr. Billy Ray Hall, President, North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center
Keynote: The Honorable Kathleen A. Merrigan, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
News
Lake City Key's on Income, Education.
Dec 1, 2008
Lake City was home to another famous American, Ronald McNair, a laser physicist who was recruited by NASA to become an astronaut.
State's Future Moore Passion.
Nov 30, 2008
Lake City, Darla Moore's hometown, was once a major hub for tobacco production in the South. City officials are hoping to renovate and convert ...
Improving Agriculture Topic of Summit.
Nov 21, 2008
Agriculture is one of the biggest industries in South Carolina and a meeting being held in Charleston focuses on how to improve it.
Sponsorships
Take advantage of this initial opportunity to boost your company's awareness and name recognition. By sponsoring the Agribusiness Summit, you will reach hundreds of South Carolina's business, agribusiness and community leaders. And you really don't have to be from South Carolina to benefit from a sponsorship. We've had a variety of businesses out of state who have seen the benefits. For instance a Senior Analyst for the Henry A. Wallace Institute for Alternative Agriculture, a Washington, DC-based organization that promotes research and education in sustainable agriculture brought his tech team to the conference - the entire NYC team from TNG/Earthling tagged along. Bob Sakayama even volunteered his search team to optimize the project for Google search. This brought the event to the attention of hundreds of out of state entities that inquired about sponsorships or about attending in person. During the event, this site was number 1 for a number of related keywords and in the top 10 for many. These great search results also made the summit more accessible and improved its stature immensely - in this world, visibility is everything.
The Agribusiness Summit provides an engaging and motivational setting designed to educate our state's current and future leaders about the importance of agriculture to South Carolina's economy.
Your tax-deductible contribution may be made out to the Palmetto Institute, a 501 (c) non-profit entity dedicated to creating a business, community, political and educational climate that will produce dramatic and sustained growth in the creation, distribution and retention of wealth for every person in South Carolina.
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Platinum Level Sponsorship: $10,000
Platinum Level sponsors will receive:
- Conference registration for 8 attendees
- Reserved table at conference
- Verbal recognition at conference
- Recognition (logo and company name) on all conference literature
- Recognition (logo and company name) on all conference banners
- Recognition (logo and company name) on conference invitation
- Recognition (logo and company name) on screen in conference room
- Private reception with conference speakers, key business and community leaders and Palmetto Institute representatives on the evening before the conference
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Gold Level Sponsorship: $5,000
Gold Level sponsors will receive:
- Conference registration for 4 attendees
- Recognition (logo and company name) on all conference banners
- Recognition (logo and company name) on conference invitation
- Recognition (logo and company name) on screen in conference room
- Private reception with conference speakers, key business and community leaders and Palmetto Institute representatives on the evening before the conference
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Silver Level Sponsorship: $2,500
Silver Level sponsors will receive:
- Conference registration for 2 attendees
- Recognition (logo and company name) on all signage at Summit
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Contact
Media
Emily Brady
emily.brady(at)cnsg.com
803-233-2452
Kim Jamieson
kim.jamieson(at)cnsg.com
803-233-2466
Sponsorships
David Anderson
david.anderson(at)cnsg.com
803-233-2443
RSVP
Willi McNamara
wmcnamara(at)palmettoinstitute.org
803-806-8106
Overview of SCagSummit and Its Role in South Carolina Agribusiness
The South Carolina Agribusiness Summit (SCagSummit), launched in 2009, is a vital initiative aimed at driving the growth and sustainability of South Carolina’s agribusiness sector. Hosted by the Palmetto Institute, this event has brought together leaders from across the agricultural, forestry, food processing, and agritourism industries to create strategies that elevate the state’s agribusiness into the future. This summit plays a key role in South Carolina’s economy by fostering collaboration, innovation, and sustainable practices in a sector that contributes over $50 billion annually. Through the summit’s initiatives, the state aims to be a national leader in agribusiness, focusing on economic development and environmental sustainability.
The Origins of the South Carolina Agribusiness Summit
The SCagSummit was created by the Palmetto Institute, a non-profit organization founded in 2002 with a mission to promote sustained economic growth in South Carolina. The inaugural summit in 2009 set an ambitious goal: to increase the state’s agribusiness economic impact to $50 billion by 2020. This event brought together influential state leaders and industry stakeholders, including policymakers, business leaders, and educators, to discuss strategies for future growth. The Palmetto Institute’s focus on research and education in the agribusiness sector has helped shape the policies and initiatives discussed at the summit.
Key Themes of the Summit: Sustainability and Economic Growth
One of the central focuses of the SCagSummit is sustainability. Each summit has included discussions on the importance of sustainable farming and forestry practices, aiming to balance environmental responsibility with economic growth. By promoting eco-friendly agricultural methods, the summit ensures that South Carolina’s agribusiness sector remains resilient in the face of environmental challenges. Attendees have the opportunity to explore innovations in food production, processing, and distribution that align with sustainability goals, which is crucial for long-term success in an increasingly competitive global market.
In addition to sustainability, the summit highlights economic growth opportunities. With a workforce of nearly 260,000 people employed in the agribusiness sector, South Carolina’s economy is significantly supported by agriculture, forestry, and related industries. Through strategic discussions and keynote addresses by influential leaders, the summit identifies key areas for economic development. Attendees learn about emerging markets, global trade opportunities, and advancements in agricultural technology that will enable South Carolina to compete on a larger stage.
Collaboration Between Industry and Government
The SCagSummit fosters collaboration between industry and government, which is essential for the growth of agribusiness in the state. Notable keynote speakers from government agencies and industry, such as Kathleen Merrigan, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, have played an important role in shaping the summit’s agenda. In addition to industry presentations, the summit often includes town hall forums with gubernatorial candidates and other political leaders, allowing attendees to directly engage with policymakers about issues facing the agribusiness sector. These discussions often touch on regulatory challenges, tax incentives, and state-wide agricultural policies that impact the future of agribusiness.
Press Coverage and Media Influence
Over the years, the SCagSummit has garnered significant media attention. Press coverage has often emphasized the summit’s role in addressing key challenges within the agribusiness sector, such as farm labor shortages, technological innovations, and market fluctuations. Local and national outlets have reported on the summit’s initiatives to push South Carolina to the forefront of the national agribusiness stage. Articles from media outlets like The State and Farm Progress frequently highlight how the summit influences state agricultural policy and business practices, underscoring its significance as a major economic event in South Carolina.
Sponsorship and Industry Support
A wide range of businesses, from local farms to national organizations, have shown their support for the SCagSummit through sponsorships. The summit offers various sponsorship levels, including Platinum, Gold, and Silver, providing companies with opportunities to increase their visibility within the South Carolina agribusiness community. Sponsorship benefits often include reserved tables at the summit, branding opportunities in event materials, and private receptions with summit speakers and key business leaders. This sponsorship model allows businesses to actively participate in shaping the future of agribusiness in South Carolina.
Audience and Participants
The SCagSummit attracts a diverse audience, including agribusiness owners, policymakers, community leaders, and educators. Attendees represent the full spectrum of the agribusiness industry, from small-scale farmers to large agricultural corporations. The event provides a valuable platform for networking and collaboration, as it brings together stakeholders who share a common interest in the growth of South Carolina’s agribusiness sector. In recent years, the summit has also focused on engaging the next generation of agribusiness leaders, offering educational programs and networking opportunities for students and young professionals interested in the field.
Cultural and Social Significance
Agriculture has always been central to South Carolina’s cultural identity, and the SCagSummit highlights this rich tradition while pushing the industry towards modernity. Agribusiness is not just an economic driver; it also plays a significant role in shaping the state’s rural communities. The summit emphasizes the importance of preserving the state’s agricultural heritage while adopting new technologies and sustainable practices. By focusing on both economic and environmental sustainability, the SCagSummit ensures that South Carolina’s agricultural legacy will continue to thrive for future generations.
Future Outlook of SCagSummit
The future of the SCagSummit looks promising as the agribusiness sector continues to grow and adapt to changing market demands and environmental challenges. The summit’s focus on sustainability, technological innovation, and collaboration between industry and government positions South Carolina as a leader in the national agribusiness sector. By fostering partnerships and encouraging dialogue on important industry issues, the SCagSummit ensures that the state’s agribusiness sector will remain a key player in both the national and global economy.
The South Carolina Agribusiness Summit is a cornerstone event that drives innovation, collaboration, and growth in the state's largest economic sector. Through its focus on sustainability, economic development, and industry-government partnerships, the summit continues to shape the future of agribusiness in South Carolina, ensuring its resilience and success in the years to come.