Cultivating Innovation in SC Agribusiness: Making Small Farms Big Business Program

The Cultivating Innovation in SC Agribusiness Grant Program is a strategic funding initiative made possible through the philanthropic support of Wells Fargo, with administration and delivery led by the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA), SC Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), and additional collaborators. This program is designed to bolster innovation and growth among small-to-medium agribusinesses operating in South Carolina. Through a competitive selection process, participating agribusinesses receive financial awards ranging from $15,000 to $30,000, along with structured technical assistance, mentorship, and a rigorous training curriculum. The program supports innovation across product development, service delivery, process optimization, and the adoption of new technologies. Funds must be used for eligible project expenses that support the development, testing, or implementation of an innovation. Acceptable uses include personnel costs, project-specific working capital, R&D, materials, specialized equipment, legal and IP services, consulting, and commercialization efforts such as marketing. Ineligible uses include land acquisition, debt refinancing, political activity, and research without a commercialization pathway. The program prioritizes innovations that improve efficiency, sustainability, financial viability, or sector-wide impact, especially those benefiting underserved farming populations in South Carolina. Eligibility is restricted to for-profit agribusinesses that are currently operating in South Carolina and have been active for at least one tax year. Applicants must meet the Small Business Administration’s size standards for small or medium-sized businesses, based on their NAICS code. Qualifying sectors include producers, processors, distributors, marketers, and support industries such as ag-tech and farm equipment. Each application must include a detailed proposal, business profile, letters of commitment, a financial overview, and a five-minute video pitch highlighting the innovation and the applicant's passion. The application opens on December 1, 2025, and closes February 2, 2026. A launch event will be held at the South Carolina State House on November 24, 2025, and an informational webinar will take place on December 4, 2025. After the application window closes, awardees will be notified by February 5, 2026. The formal program begins on February 12, 2026, and includes five structured webinars that address AI tools, innovation validation, business modeling, regulatory navigation, and scaling. Each cohort member receives one-on-one mentoring from SC SBDC advisors and expert consultants. The program concludes with a Capstone Innovation Showcase & Awards event, where awardees present their refined innovation strategies to industry leaders and potential partners. This event highlights the tangible progress achieved and fosters future growth opportunities through networking. By supporting innovation and inclusion within the state's agribusiness sector, this grant program directly aligns with Wells Fargo’s goals of regional economic development and South Carolina’s long-term agricultural resilience.

Strong proposals clearly link innovation to business growth and sector impact. Include a well-defined project plan and justify expenses aligned with project goals.