Spartanburg Community College Sustainable Agriculture Program Named 2026 Outstanding Postsecondary Agriculture Program of the Year

Spartanburg Community College Sustainable Agriculture Program Named 2026 Outstanding Postsecondary Agriculture Program of the Year

Spartanburg, SC — Spartanburg Community College's (SCC) Sustainable Agriculture Program has been recognized as the 2026 Outstanding Postsecondary Agriculture Program of the Year by the South Carolina Association of Agriculture Educators (SCAAE), honoring the program's commitment to innovative, hands-on agricultural education and student success.

Established in 2018, SCC's Sustainable Agriculture Program was intentionally designed to meet the unique needs of the Upstate's agricultural community. Recognizing that the region's high land costs can make traditional large-scale farming difficult, the program focuses on small-scale, intensive agricultural production while providing students with real-world experience across a broad range of agricultural practices.

Located on a two-acre instructional farm, the program immerses students in every stage of the agricultural process. Students gain practical experience in soil health and cover crops, crop production, orchard management, greenhouse operations, food preservation, and sustainable growing methods, including aquaponics, hydroponics, and microgreens production. The program also offers opportunities to explore beekeeping and learn the differences between hybrid and heirloom crop varieties.

By exposing students to multiple areas of agriculture, the program helps them discover career pathways while equipping them with the knowledge and skills to produce food for personal sustainability or launch small agricultural businesses.

“This recognition reflects the vision, innovation, and dedication of our outstanding Sustainable Agriculture faculty,” said Dr. Michael Mikota, President of Spartanburg Community College. “Under the leadership of Jason Bagwell and Jay Moore, SCC has built an innovative, hands on program that gives students practical experience, entrepreneurial skills, and the knowledge needed to succeed in modern agriculture. We are incredibly proud of our exceptional faculty and students and honored that their work has been recognized as the 2026 Outstanding Postsecondary Agriculture Program of the Year by the South Carolina Association of Agriculture Educators.”

The South Carolina Association of Agriculture Educators annually recognizes outstanding agricultural education programs that demonstrate excellence in instruction, innovation, and student engagement.

SCC's Sustainable Agriculture Program continues to emphasize research-based instruction and experiential learning, ensuring graduates are prepared to enter the workforce, operate their own agricultural enterprises, or continue their education in the field.

Discover our Sustainable Agriculture Program