South Carolina Farm Bureau

Palmetto Palate

The 2010 Palmetto Palate was a great success this year – drawing attention to local restaurants, producers, and the effectiveness of the Friends of Farm Bureau Political Action Committee.  Participating restaurants and caterers included Aberdeen Catering of Camden, 2Fat2Fly of Columbia, The Farmer’s Shed of Lexington, Juniper of Ridge Spring, Mac’s on Main of Columbia, the McCutchen House at the University of South Carolina, Pearlz of Columbia, Saluda’s of Columbia, and Terra of West Columbia.  The Top Chef Award was chosen after votes were cast by the more than 300 attendees.  The 2010 Top Chef Award was given to Juniper of Ridge Spring whose featured dish was Lowcountry spiced steak from Yon Family Farms with creamy Adluh grits, Adluh flour biscuits, friend whole okra from Sease Farms, and peach ginger butter with peaches from Titan Farms.

Southern Legislative Conference

The annual meeting of the Southern Legislative Conference was held during the first week of August.  This is the largest single convention held within The Council of State Governments and the largest regional gathering of its kind.  Each year policy makers from fifteen (15) states come together to engage experts on the issues that matter most to them and their constituents and to share their experiences with others facing similar challenges and opportunities.  Southern Legislative Conference comprises 15 states – Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.  The South has 1,021,800 farms covering 306,494,779 acres.  51.7 percent of the total land area.

Farm Bureau had a good representation amongst the other states and conducted a farm tour for the attendees, visiting Sea Island Savory Herbs on Johns Island, Edisto Produce and Geechie Boy Market on Edisto Island, and Cordray Farms Beef in Ravenel.

Of Farm Bureau’s sponsorship of the Southern Legislative Conference, Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell said, “I really appreciate Farm Bureau stepping up and being a Palmetto Sponsor.  Your participation will go a long way toward continuing your influence in the S. C. House of Representatives."

Policy Development

The Government Relations staff at Farm Bureau conducted Policy Development Meetings in each of the four districts, meeting with members to determine what issues need to be made priority for the upcoming legislative session while at the same time recapping the 2010 legislative session.  Counties are currently in the process of submitting their policy recommendations to the state office.

Taxation Realignment Commission