The South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE) has awarded $200,000 in grants to 12 local businesses across the state as part of its Advanced Entrepreneurship program.

In addition to funding, awardees will receive access to a network of business advisers and assistance with state and federal grant applications.

Meet the Midlands awardees:

Bradford Farms (Sumter County) grows and markets heirloom crops like collards, watermelons, and sweet potatoes. The farm plans to use the grant for new machinery.
Crossroads Processing (Lexington County) was founded in 2022 and expanded from deer processing to livestock. The company aims increase direct to consumer processing.
Heartworks Farm (Lexington County) produces tomatoes, microgreens, and cut flowers with plans to build a multi-functional packing and processing building with educational space.
Oswego Flowers (Sumter County) specializes in unusual cut flower varieties and plans to buy a larger greenhouse for year-round production and wholesale.
Yon Family Farms (Saluda County) increased pecan yield through improved irrigation and plans to construct a new freezer space.