of South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness Research and Entrepreneurship Center The company awarded $200,000 in grants to be distributed to 12 businesses across the state as part of its advanced entrepreneurship development program.
Four of the award recipients are based in the Upstate:
- Blue Ridge Rabbit Meat Company Welford is a family-owned rabbit farm that raises and processes rabbits, and the company plans to use the ACRE funding to add a heating and cooling system throughout the barn.
- Wildwood Farm The Greenville County farm uses environmentally friendly, no-till, regenerative farming methods to grow baby greens, herbs and a variety of vegetables for customers. With the ACRE funding, the farm plans to improve its facilities, improve marketing and expand its product lineup.
- Pickled Pepper PeopleThe Greenville County-based company uses a traditional Haitian family recipe to make spicy coleslaw from fresh, local and sustainably sourced vegetables. The minority-owned business will use the ACRE grant money for equipment, marketing, social media and shared kitchen expenses.
- Cultivating green family farms A Greenville County farm, it provides fresh produce to the Upstate region.
Other grant recipients include:
“Each year, we are so impressed with the creativity, drive and diversity of the entrepreneurs who participate in the ACRE Advanced Entrepreneurship Program,” said Kyle Player, ACRE Executive Director.
Each winner will also receive access to a network of business advisors and expert assistance with further state and federal grant applications.
