Time Running Short for Growers to Get SC Help After Floods

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) — As state lawmakers consider helping South Carolina farmers after last year’s rains and floods time is running short for growers to know if help is coming for spring planting.

South Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers tells The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg that timing now is critical.

With lawmakers on break this week, Weathers says the measure will be considered in the Senate next week and says he will stress to lawmakers how critical the help is.

The bill would provide a total of $40 million for farmers to buy seed and plant this spring. Each grower could apply for grants of up to $100,000 or equal to 20 percent of their loss.

South Carolina’s farmers lost $375 million worth of crops during last fall’s historic rains.