- Milestone Achievement: The Sims family in Dorchester County, S.C., marked 150 years of continuous land ownership starting January 10, 1876, with Sims Farms in Harleyville.
- Century Farm Award: They became the first African American family in South Carolina to receive this honor for 100+ years of farmland operation.
- Event Details: Generations gathered for Sims Agricultural Heritage Day, featuring black-and-white attire, Southern soul food (chicken, green beans, mac and cheese, rice, cornbread), and family fellowship.
Family Insights
Descendants like Candace Fladger and Johnathan Sims emphasized unity, land stewardship, financial literacy, and family bonds as keys to their success. They highlighted the rarity of long-term Black land ownership—down nearly 90% from 1910 to 1997 per Farm Aid data—and urged protecting land over fleeting wealth.
Broader Significance
In a region like Charleston and Dorchester County, where community heritage and property preservation matter deeply, this story underscores resilience against historical land loss. The family aims to inspire others via social media (@SimsFarms, check platforms like Facebook or Instagram for updates).
This celebration aligns with South Carolina’s rich agricultural history and ongoing efforts in land conservation—what aspects of local heritage or family legacies interest you most?
