About the Palmetto AgriBusiness Council
Our Mission
The Palmetto AgriBusiness Council (PABC) strengthens South Carolina's agriculture, forestry, and agribusiness sectors through advocacy, education, and collaboration. We bring industry leaders together to address shared challenges, influence policy, and support a strong, sustainable future for all agribusiness operations. We also partner with universities and schools across the state and around the world to advance education about agribusiness.
Our Vision
A thriving South Carolina where agriculture and forestry remain foundational to economic strength, rural prosperity, and generational opportunity.
Who We Serve
Farmers and landowners
Forestry operations
Commodity groups
Agribusiness processors and manufacturers
Ag-adjacent industries (transportation, suppliers, logistics, finance)
Rural community partners
Students and emerging professionals
Kate Maroney
Chief Executive Officer
Palmetto AgriBusiness Council
Kate Maroney brings deep legislative experience and a personal commitment to agriculture and forestry as the Chief Executive Officer of the Palmetto AgriBusiness Council. Before joining PABC in 2025, she served as Director of Research for the South Carolina Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, where she guided agribusiness-related policy through multiple legislative sessions. Her prior work included key roles with the Senate Judiciary and Banking & Insurance Committees, as well as experience on Capitol Hill and within political campaigns.
Raised in a 4-H family and a ten-year 4-H member herself, Kate’s roots in agribusiness run deep. She understands first-hand the needs of family farms, landowners, and rural communities across South Carolina.
Kate lives in Columbia with her husband, their children, and their two Labrador retrievers. She is dedicated to amplifying the voices of agriculture and forestry, advocating for sound policy, and ensuring a thriving future for South Carolina’s agribusiness industry.
Executive Committee
Farmers Grain and Supply, Inc.
ArborOne FC
Forestry Association of SC
Clemson PSA
SC State University
Palmetto Grain Brokerage
SC Farm Bureau Federation
SC Department of Agriculture
Titan Farms, LLC
Perdue Farms
Mixon Seed
Forvis Mazars
Forestry Comission
Compass South
SC Poultry Federation
Compass South
Maynard Nexsen
Central Electric Power Cooperative
Charles Ingram Lumber Company
Perdue Farms
SC Poultry Federation
Titan Farms, LLC
Clemson PSA
Farmers Grain and Supply, Inc.
Forestry Association of SC
SC Corn & Soybean Association
AgSouth Farm Credit
Palmetto Rural Telephone Co-op
Corteva
Mixon Seed
AgFirst Farm Credit Bank
Premium Peanut
McCall Farms
Smurfit WestRock
Pilgrim’s
Nutrien
SC Farm Bureau Federation
Santee Cooper
Carolina
Our History
Since our founding, PABC has brought together agriculture, forestry, and related industries to speak with clarity and purpose on the issues that matter. Over the years, our work has helped strengthen land stewardship, support family farms, expand markets, advance research, and secure resources vital to agribusiness success.