Williams Vineyard & Farm, Nesmith, SC
Williams Vineyard & Farm grows ~5 acres of nutritional and healthy muscadines, along with fruits and vegetables. The vineyard began as a hobby of Damon’s grandfather, David A. Williams (Daddy Ag) in 1987, a retired agriculture and science teacher. David personally hand planted the thousands of vines and loved them until his death in 2019. He converted the prior cotton, tobacco, and corn fields to the vineyard.
Damon will be using the funds to expand the vineyard and farm’s potential to increase its production and expand its markets while employing agroecological practices he learned from his granddad and continues to learn. Also, the funds will be used to purchase a commercial refrigerator to maintain the freshness of the muscadines and vegetables. Since 2003, the vineyard has hosted an annual “Williams Muscadine Festival” during Labor Day weekend, and this grant will help to expand the activities for the festival.