Meet & Greet with Cody Simpson

Candidate for South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture

Join us for an evening of meaningful conversation about the future of agriculture in South Carolina — from protecting our farmland to strengthening our food systems and supporting the farmers who sustain our communities.

Cody Simpson is a fifth-generation South Carolina farmer from Clarendon County in the Pee Dee, with deep roots in production agriculture and a lifelong commitment to the land. He previously served as State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency and as an agriculture advisor to Governor Henry McMaster. Today, he is a candidate for South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture.

Cody is focused on ensuring South Carolina leads the way in protecting farmland from foreign ownership, strengthening local food supply chains, and supporting the farmers who work the land every day. He understands firsthand the challenges agriculture faces — including rising input costs, labor shortages, volatile markets, and an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

If elected, Cody is committed to championing policies that preserve our agricultural heritage while investing in its future. He believes in inspiring and equipping the next generation of farmers and ensuring agriculture is treated with the seriousness and respect it deserves across our state.

Key Discussion Topics

• Protecting South Carolina farmland & strengthening local food supply chains

• Supporting farmers through rising costs, labor shortages, and market uncertainty

• Navigating regulatory changes, including DHEC restructuring & the SC Department of Agriculture’s role

• Connecting agriculture and retail food systems (local sourcing, inspections, farm-to-table opportunities)

• Inspiring and developing the next generation of South Carolina farmers