(Columbia, SC) –The Cultiv8 Agribusiness Incubator, an initiative spearheaded by the Foundation for Community Impact and Health Equity (FCIHE), was created to serve and impact small and mid-sized minority farmers in South Carolina. Several networking opportunities have been scheduled in the Midlands, Pee Dee, Low Country, and Upstate regions of South Carolina to create awareness about the Incubator’s services.
According to the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, a minority farmer is someone who is considered socially disadvantaged by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), due to possible discrimination in the process of applying for agriculture-related government services because of his or her affiliation with a particular group. These groups include: women, African Americans, Asian Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, and Pacific Islanders.
Cultiv8 is an agribusiness incubator that is designed to develop, equip, and provide technical assistance to farmers and entrepreneurs to improve our local food ecosystem. Our program was created to meet the unique needs and barriers of African American farmers; however, we will assist any farmer and business owner that needs assistance.
“Food insecurity in low-access and rural communities has always been an issue. One of the ways we work to increase food security and access to health is to assist farmers and food business entrepreneurs to make their products accessible. Minority farmers in South Carolina are often not aware of the services and funding opportunities available to them. The Cultiv8 Agribusiness Incubator serves as a liaison to bridge the gap,” said Quintasha Knox, CEO, FCIHE. “During our meet and greets, we will discuss how the incubator may assist farmers and business owners through education, technical assistance, guidance to access capital and other needed resources. The goal of the incubator is to increase the access of healthy food in underserved areas by providing technical guidance to farmers, local food entrepreneurs and business owners. We bring this all together to assist our clients develop food systems and businesses that are socially and economically sustainable.”
Cultiv8 is a hybrid model focused on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & Persons of Color) Agribusinesses, both start-ups and existing. We have seen the disproportionate allocation of resources to these populations and our incubator is a direct solution to increase equitable access of needed resources. The goal of the incubator is to increase the access of healthy food in underserved areas by providing support, resources and technical assistance to farmers, local food entrepreneurs and business owners through the following approaches:
• Education
• Branding & Marketing
• Networking
• Business Opportunities
• Technical Assistance & Mentoring
• Business Development & Planning
• Funding
• Project /Grant Management
Dates and Locations of the Meet & Greets are listed below:
| Midlands Region Tuesday, February 21, 2023 3:00 PM – 5:00 PMMTC-Fairfield Campus674 US-321 BUSWinnsboro, SC 29180 | Pee Dee RegionThursday, February 23, 20233:00 PM – 5:00 PMHyatt Place Downtown100 East Evans St.Florence, SC 29506 |
| Low County RegionTuesday, February 28, 20233:00 PM – 5:00 PMColleton Farmers Market506 E. Washington St.Walterboro, SC 29488 | Upstate RegionThursday, March 2, 20233:00 PM – 5:00 PMFeed & Seed, Co.701 Easley Bridge Rd #6010Greenville, SC 29611 |
These events are FREE and open to the public, but registration is recommended. Visit Eventbrite to register. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Karibean Finkley, Community Systems Coordinator, at 843.307.8213.
