Struggling SC farmers could get state financial assistance amid war with Iran
South Carolina farmers could get financial relief from the state budget.
Senators approved setting aside $35 million as crop assistance for farmers, amid the ongoing conflict with Iran that has led to higher oil prices. The war has led to higher costs for fertilizer.
The price of fertilizer combined with the ongoing drought and lower commodity prices have hurt farmers.
Any assistance would be in addition to federal assistance made to farmers. Eligible commodities would include row crops, such as corn, cotton, soybeans, wheat and peanuts, and specialty crops, such as fruits and vegetables.
The money initially wasn’t included in the Senate Finance Committee budget, but senators decided to move $35 million from the Department of Commerce to the Department of Agriculture for the proposed farm assistance program. The House still has to agree with the move.
According to the South Carolina Farm Bureau, 94% of farmers in a survey said their financial situation has not improved from last year, and 58% say it is worse.
The state farm bureau estimates South Carolina farmers lost $379 million in 2024 and $324 million in 2025.
“Our farmers are in a desperate situation that is out of their control,” farm bureau President Harry Ott said in a news release. “We were already dealing with low commodity prices and now we have soaring fertilizer and fuel costs in addition to drought conditions across the state. If help doesn’t come soon, the agricultural landscape will look very different in 2027.”
The assistance would work as a bridge program. Each farmer would be able to receive up to $135,000.
The per-acre payment rate will reflect about 50% of documented economic losses, subject to available money, the proviso said.
“Tough conditions in the agricultural economy are expected to continue this year and we fear that, without support from the State, a number of South Carolina farmers could go out of business,” the Farm Credit Associations of SC, said in a statement.
