Item No. 1 of 1

INVESTIGATOR: Feng, K.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
ORANGEBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA 29117

ENHANCING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR RURAL SOUTH CAROLINA THROUGH FOOD MARKETING AND AGRIBUSINESS CENTER

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The integrated project addresses one of NIFA's priority areas, rural communities for the 21st century (expanded opportunities for small business and small farms). The NIFA's Need Areas addressed in this project include a) extension delivery/methodology (extension), b) studies and experimentation in Food and agricultural sciences (research), (c) curricula design and materials development and student experiential learning (teaching).The goal of this project is to enhance economic development for rural South Carolina through establishing a food marketing and agribusiness center. The extension objective is to provide assistance to rural communities through technical support and outreach to South Carolina small farmers and food entrepreneurs in food marketing and contracting, food hub development, food safety, and food waste reduction. The research objective is to support the extension objectives through investigating the drivers and obstacles of creating a food hub and evaluating the impact of food hub on food waste reduction. The teaching objective is to incorporate new development and research findings in food marketing and supply chain areas into the existing business school curricula and offer experiential learning opportunities to students.Through effective collaboration of School of Business, Region Small Business Development Center, and 1890 Extension at SC State University, the project is expected to (a) address the rural area's need for food marketing, food hub development, food safety, and food waste reduction, (b) enhance the economic development in rural South Carolina, (c) build and strengthen the extension, research, and teaching capacity of SC State faculty and students in Agribusiness and related areas.

OBJECTIVES: The major goal of thisproject is to enhance the economic development for rural South Carolina and strengthen the extension, research, and teaching capabilities in one of NIFA priority areas, rural communities for 21st century (expanded opportunities for small business and small farms), at SC Stat University. The goal will be achieved through the following three objectives. (1) Development of an Extension Center for Food Marketing and Agribusiness: The Center will be established at the School of Business and fall under the management of Regional Director of the SBDC. Programs will be created and established for the Center, including a focus on contracting assistance. The following lists four sub-objectives: (a) Establish and develop a center for food marketing and agribusiness, (b) Hire and train an Agribusiness Specialist/ Project Director and staff, (c) Establish a food hub, and(d) Collaborate with Colleton Commercial Kitchen on value-added activities. (2) Innovative Research: Research will be conducted to investigate the drivers and obstacles for creating a food hub and evaluate the impact of food hub on food waste reduction. (3) Curricula design and materials development and student experiential learning: The related agribusiness curricula will be revised and included with the new development in food marketing, food supply chain, and food safety. Students will have the opportunity to work in the Center as assistants or interns. This will allow them to interact with businesses outside the academic setting.