AgFirst and Able SC launch ag career program for youth with disabilities

South Carolinians with disabilities face one of the highest unemployment rates in the country – nearly twice that of those without disabilities. At the same time, the agriculture sector in the state offers a wealth of career opportunities. To address this issue, AgFirst has partnered with Able South Carolina, a nonprofit that advocates for equity and access for people with disabilities, to launch a new initiative: Grow the Future: Accessible Careers in Agriculture. 

With a $10,000 donation from AgFirst, Able SC will pilot a program that educates youth ages 13 to 21 about career paths in South Carolina’s agricultural industry. The initiative will be the first in the state to offer an agriculture-focused career exploration curriculum specifically designed for students with disabilities. 

“AgFirst’s investment in the Grow the Future program sends a powerful message that youth with disabilities deserve access to the same career opportunities as anyone else. With the bank’s partnership, we’re not just introducing students to agriculture, we’re showing them they belong in it,” said Kimberly LaJoie Tissot, President and CEO of Able SC. 

The Grow the Future program will:  

• Develop a skill-building lesson introducing agriculture in South Carolina, outlining career options and highlighting resources like the SC AgrAbility program, which focuses on enhancing the productivity of disabled farmers through programs and training.
• Deliver this lesson to at least 50 students in local high schools and evaluate its effectiveness through student surveys.
• Establish a progress evaluation system to measure long-term impact and strengthen future outreach. 

“I’m proud that AgFirst is helping Able SC introduce the world of agriculture to the next generation of students with disabilities. There is so much opportunity in this industry – we want these students to see themselves in it,” said Ronnie Hucks, AgFirst Senior Learning Liaison and member of the SC AgrAbility Advisory Committee. 

This initiative builds on AgFirst’s ongoing commitment to inclusion and workforce development. For the past three years, the bank sponsored Able SC’s Employer Summit, which helps businesses across the state build more inclusive workplaces by showing the strengths people with disabilities bring to the workforce. 

In addition to the bank’s donation, AgFirst employees will be able to directly support Able SC through the bank’s July Jeans Day charity, held during Disability Pride Month. During this time, employees can donate to the organization to support its mission of accessibility and inclusion in exchange for casual dress days. 

Building a stronger agricultural future means ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to be part of it – including those with disabilities. We’re proud to partner with Able SC to connect youth with disabilities to careers in agriculture.