Veterans in South Carolina have taken an interested in agriculture. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture has worked with the SC Farmer Veteran Coalition on a new branding logo.

• The Homegrown By Heroes marketing initiative will afford farmers and/or agricultural producers located in South Carolina and who have served in any of the branches of the United States Military (U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard) the ability to use the Homegrown By Heroes logo on their agribusiness signage and/or agriculture products.
• This distinctive logo will serve as identification to prospective consumers that the products were locally grown or raised by a veteran
• From the grocery shelf to the farmers’ market to on-line retail, this label will hopefully serve as an extra incentive to consumers when making a purchase decision.
• South Carolina is one of 19 states that have officially partnered with the Homegrown By Heroes label to produce a merged label combining elements of the state’s buy local program and the veteran label.
• SCDA has a wonderful working relationship with the SC Farmer Veteran Coalition.

• Through the DoD Skillbridge program, 40 transitioning service members have been given internships at farms and agriculture organizations throughout the state.
• Matt and Kara Rutter have been very instrumental in this relationship and partnership.
• Matt has served as president of the SC Farmer Veteran Coalition for 5 years. Some highlights of his tenure:
  • Helped establish the SC FVC chapter
  • Got the intern program approved by the DoD to be part of the Skill Bridge Program
  • Helped get the first the USDA – NIFA Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans (AgVets) grant for South Carolina.
• For more information on the Homegrown by Heroes logo, you can contact [email protected]