Retiring SC agriculture commissioner has spent 2 decades encouraging people to buy local

By: Adrian Ashford

Outlets: South Carolina Daily Gazette

Published: February 23, 2026

Words: 1,456

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 4 days ago

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COLUMBIA — In almost 22 years leading the state Department of Agriculture, Hugh Weathers has worked to help connect South Carolinians to food grown in the state.

The 69-year-old agriculture commissioner decided soon after winning re-election in 2022 that he wouldn’t seek another term. Now one year from retirement, he’s ready to spend more time with his three sons and eight grandchildren on the Orangeburg County farm started by his great-grandfather.

“Completing this term will …

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