WHEREAS, changing state and world conditions, disrupted markets, extremely low commodity prices and drought conditions have created a financial crisis in the agricultural industry in South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, the agricultural financial crisis is resulting in farmers and associated businesses being forced to close their doors; and

WHEREAS, many small minority-owned and family farms are having difficulty finding an appropriate market niche; and

WHEREAS, the difficulties faced by large and small farms and the businesses associated with them are having an extremely deleterious effect on rural South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, a financial crisis in agriculture, one of the largest and most important industries in the state, will adversely affect the well being of the entire state; and

WHEREAS, an effective Farmers Market in Columbia could provide some economic relief to this struggling industry by providing a reliable outlet for alternative crops to the more traditional corn, cotton, soybeans, wheat and tobacco.

NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby establish a Study Committee to Redefine the State's Objectives in Having a State Farmers Market. The Study Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

• Identify the state's purpose in having a State Farmers Market in Columbia;

• Identify who the Market should serve;

• Identify who will benefit from the Market;

• Identify what components would be necessary for the efficient and effective operation of a Market and where it should be located;

• Identify how capital improvements and operation of the Market should be financed;

• Identify how the Market should be managed;

FURTHER, the Study Committee shall have the following members who shall be appointed by the undersigned, unless otherwise indicated:

1. the Governor, or his designee;
2. the Commissioner of Agriculture, or his designee;
3. the Chairman of the Agriculture Commission of South Carolina, or his designee;
4. the Secretary of Commerce, or his designee;
5. the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, or his designee;
6. the Chairman of the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee, or his designee;
7. the President of the South Carolina Farm Bureau, or his designee;
8. two representatives of the seasonal food industry;
9. three vegetable producers;
10. two wholesale brokers;
11. a horticultural producer;
12. a representative from higher education with expertise in farmers markets; and
13. two members of the public, at least one of whom will represent consumer interests.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THIS 13th DAY OF OCTOBER, 1999.

JIM HODGES
GOVERNOR

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 11:20 A.M.