Sustainable Midlands

Mission Statement: Sustainable Midlands is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in the heart of South Carolina that strives to create a healthy, vibrant, and environmentally sustainable Midlands community for all that both current and future generations can be proud of through advocacy, education, and celebration. To learn more about our advocacy, education, and celebratory efforts, visit us at sustainablemidlands.org/about.

Since 2010, Sustainable Midlands has been advocating for local food, healthy waterways, and a thriving economy for people of the Midlands of South Carolina. On any given day, you can find us championing the efforts of others throughout our great region and state that also dedicate themselves to a healthier, more equitable environment for all.

From conscious development decisions, to educating schools and community groups on sustainable practices, to conservation and restoration of natural resources, to advocating for alternative, efficient energy solutions, to being a believer in a Buy Local, Eat Local mindset for all, Sustainable Midlands has done a lot over our past 12 years of operation here in the Midlands.

Through celebration and the power of gathering, we have hosted two of the most beloved events throughout the Midlands for many years now: The Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival and Sustainable Holiday Market. With each of these events, connecting our citizens of the Midlands with sustainably-minded makers, educators, government and non-government resources, growers, and more has been of utmost priority to us.

We believe in fostering a Midlands community that is vibrant, equitable, and sustainable in its core. We believe in human kindness, in being a connector, and that advocating for the health of our land, our people, our waters and planet starts in our own backyard.

Testimonials

For over 12 years now, Sustainable Midlands has been at the forefront for sustainable development and advocacy throughout the Midlands and beyond. From advocating for a Rocky Branch Green Way Master Plan that would change the entire landscape for many downtown residents, USC students, faculty, and staff, and related business for the better, to stewarding healthy waterways for all through for the creation of two of the Midlands most underserved watersheds (Rocky and Smith Branch) and more, thinking broadly and with longterm health in mind for land stewardship, conservation, and development has always been a key focus for Sustainable Midlands.

Sustainable Midlands has been connected farmers with the general public for many years now and our annual Palmetto Tasty Tomato is one of our greatest joys. To celebrate the provision of natural, earth-grown foods in such a way that connects communities with real South Carolina growers is unmatched. Letting the public see, taste, and smell with their own senses in a world of forgotten practices and genetically modified foods is nothing short of a triumph in our eyes. In an ever-modern world, it is important for us to create these food pathways for people across the Midlands and remind them of the power of food and to remain curious, inspiring people of all kinds to get their hands in the soil and see what they might grow.

In a world that sometimes feel like it's spinning out of control, our instant messages, meals, and gratification can make us feel so far away from the places we come from. It is Sustainable Midlands mission to energize communities of all kinds across the Midlands to reconnect with sustainable ways of living, slow down and feel inspired by what's in our own backyards, and become sustainable stewards of their own communities, neighborhoods, schools, and more. More and more, people are feeling the existential threats of climate change and want to know how they can make an impact. The job of Sustainable Midlands is to encourage all citizens across the Midlands to feel inspired by environmental stewardship, to know that not everyone can do everything, but everyone can do something.