Some SC Growers Opting for Tobacco Buyout

Source from:  Myrtle Beach-AP 04/22/2005

Some South Carolina farmers are spending this spring filling out forms instead of setting out tobacco plants. Many South Carolina growers are joining thousands of others across the nation in filing the paperwork for payments in the government's $10 billion tobacco buyout. Cecil Johnson has farmed up to 110 acres of tobacco near Aynor for 30 years. He says he's made three trips to Horry County's Farm Service Agency since the sign-up began last month. Johnson says the money will be his retirement. He says he's been buying tobacco allotments as an investment. Jimmy Poston is president of the South Carolina Tobacco Grower's Association. He says there is uncertainty among those who still grow the crop about how they will survive. Enditem