AgSouth offers grants to farmers markets

The 2017 farmers markets grant application period from AgSouth Farm Credit is now open.

Marketing Director Christy Smith said in a company press release that the cooperative will provide $500 grants for up to 50 community-based markets for advertising.

"AgSouth’s purpose in awarding these grants is to increase awareness of how choosing to purchase locally-produced foods and goods benefits each community’s health and economy,” Smith said. “As part of the Farm Credit System, AgSouth Farm Credit has been providing financial support to farmers and those in our rural areas for more than a century. This is the fifth year we have provided funds to help local markets with their advertising, and we’re proud to add our Community Grant Program to a long list of ways we continue to support agriculture.”

The market must be within the AgSouth territory, which includes 34 South Carolina and 59 Georgia counties. It must also be open eight days or more over a two-month period and consist of at least 10 vendors open on market days, with half or more of those vendors selling agricultural products.

The application must include the vendors' names and contact information. It must also include the details of the promotion that includes AgSouth Farm Credit name or logo or the Think Outside the Box logo.

The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. March 10. To apply, visit www.AgSouthFC.com.