CONWAY, SC (WBTW)- Governor Henry McMaster is asking for more funding for Hurricane Florence relief, and earlier this month brought the total estimated damage to more than 930 million dollars.
That damage assessment includes agriculture in the state. An initial estimate shows 125 million dollars worth of agricultural damage across South Carolina.
Agriculture experts said Horry County was one of the areas hit the hardest, and it’s affecting the farming industry’s bottom line.
William Hardee, an agricultural agent with Clemson Extension said Hurricane Florence and flooding have taken a toll on Horry County farmers. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first weather related loss.
“Three of the last four years have been pretty much losses, and when that happens you’re having to liquidate your assets,” said William Hardee who is an Agronomy Agent for Horry, Marion, and Dillion counties with Clemson Extension.
Hardee said the only immediate relief for farmers after the storm is with the Natural Resources Conservation Service which can help with some clean up.
Hurricane Florence caused farmers to lose about 30 percent of soy beans, cotton, and peanuts. Hardee said with all the rain we’ve gotten that percentage has probably gone up.
“Everyday that those crops sit out there in the field, the less valuable they are and lower quality and lower yield. I’m not sure how long some of these guys are going to be able or willing to keep fighting,” said Hardee.
Conway Feed and Garden buys grain from these farmers, and flooding from Hurricane Florence also affected their business.
“From the flooding we sustained we weren’t able to buy grain until just last week. When we could take grain in, the rains came and not been allowing them to get back into the fields. I don’t know when they’ll be able to get back into the fields,” said Floyd Smith, co-owner of Conway Feed and Garden.
Smith is hopeful things will get better and is encouraging farmers to stay in the industry.
