South Carolina Office for the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/LAF

06/30/2026

Dear Members, Supporters, and Friends,
Register here: https://www.federation.coop/annualmeeting

We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund's 59th Annual Meeting & 25th Estelle Witherspoon Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony, taking place August 13–15, 2026! Events will begin in Birmingham, AL, and end in Epes, AL.

This year's gathering will bring together farmers, landowners, cooperatives, community leaders, advocates, and supporters from across the South under the theme "Sustaining the Future: Innovation, Resilience, and Member Engagement!"

We invite you to join us for three days of fellowship, learning, recognition, and member engagement, including the 25th Estelle Witherspoon Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony honoring Attorney Fred D. Gray, educational workshops, the Taste of the Federation, the Annual Membership Business Meeting, prayer breakfast, scholarship presentation, and more.

Additional agenda details, workshop information, and updates regarding the Anulet P. Jackson Memorial Scholarship will be announced in the coming weeks. We encourage you to visit the Annual Meeting webpage regularly for the latest updates!
https://www.federation.coop/annualmeeting

We look forward to welcoming you in August!

06/26/2026

Federation of Southern Cooperatives/ Land Assistance Fund Expands South Carolina Presence with New Columbia Office

Atlanta, Georgia — The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund is pleased to announce the acquisition of its new office location in Columbia, South Carolina. Following the May 15 closing, the new office marks an important step in strengthening the Federation's presence and service throughout the Southeastern region.

While the Federation has long served members and communities across South Carolina, this new location reinforces its commitment to growth and impact throughout the state. Under the direction of State Coordinator Victoria Smalls, the office will serve as a hub for outreach, education, technical assistance, and membership engagement, with a continued focus on cooperative economic development, land retention, and advocacy.

Office staffing and operational planning are currently underway, and preparations have begun for the official grand opening. The Federation looks forward to welcoming members, partners, and community stakeholders in the near future, with additional details to be announced in the coming months.

For employment opportunities at the Columbia, South Carolina office, please visit the Federation's career page: https://www.federation.coop/fsclafcareers

05/24/2026

05/23/2026

05/19/2026

We are Hiring: Outreach Specialist for our Field Office in
Columbia, South Carolina.
Please forward your resume and cover letter to:
[email protected]

Overview:
The Outreach Specialist performs a variety of duties related to outreach, recruitment, education, organizing, and leading FSC/LAF members, potential members, and farmers in programs, projects, and processes that serve to create new cooperatives and/or strengthen existing cooperatives and farmers within the Federation’s sphere of influence. The Outreach Specialist is responsible for providing and/or securing relevant resources and technical assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and Federation members. They are to be knowledgeable of all USDA programs and services and must understand all aspects of proposals, especially the deliverables therein. The Outreach Specialist’s driving mission is to proliferate and advance cooperative development for FSC members, farmers, and cooperatives.
See Full Description:

05/19/2026

We are Hiring: Land Retention Specialist or Land Retention Attorney
for our Field Office in Columbia, South Carolina.
Please forward your resume and cover letter to:
[email protected]

Overview:
The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund (FSC/LAF) is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) cooperative association and rural development organization serving a membership of primarily Black farmers, landowners, cooperatives, and other low-income rural people in the Southeast. We are seeking a full time Land Retention Specialist to support our outreach efforts for limited resources farmers and landowners, as well as supporting the strategic goals of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund’s Regional Heirs Property and Mediation Center. This position will report to the State Coordinator.​​

See more details here:

05/19/2026

We are Hiring an Administrative Assistant for our South Carolina Field Office in Columbia, South Carolina.
Please forward your resume and cover letter to:
[email protected]

Overview:
The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund (FSC/LAF) is a regional cooperative
association and rural development organization serving a membership of Black farmers, landowners, cooperatives, and other low-income rural people in the Southeast. This position will report to the State Coordinator and will perform a range of administrative and clerical support in a small office setting with 5-10 staff members in the field office. Essential job functions include supporting key staff and administrative office operations, managing the Salesforce database, and working closely with the State Coordinator to streamline office functions. Responsibilities include assisting members and visitors, answering a high volume of telephone calls, maintaining membership records and databases, and performing administrative duties such as filing, correspondence, travel coordination, and office support. The role also assists with planning organizational meetings and events, including registration, sponsorship correspondence, and event logistics.
See full description here:

05/18/2026

To learn more about the Federation of Southern Cooperatives / Land Assistance Fund, plesase sign up for Membership Mondays at 12:00 noon.

Register Here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Z9-10wnUS_-9b3WZLLOFkQ #/registration

Agenda:
*Membership Monday Meet-Up Sessions typically last 60 minutes*

FSC/LAF Membership Orientation

About the Federation: Who We Are, What We Do
About the Communications & Member Relations Department (CMR)
Walk through the Membership Information Portal. Access the membership portal here.
Services Offered to All vs. Member-Only Benefits
FSC/LAF Programs & Signature Events
Member Q & A

Meet-Up & Introduce yourself- Ice Breaker (contingent on the number of attendees)

Contact FSC/LAF Communications & Member Relations
Call: 404-765-0991 | 1-888-322-2985
Email: [email protected]

Host:
FSC/LAF Director of Communications & Member Relations, Briar Blakley

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund is a 58-year-old cooperative association of Black farmers, landowners, and cooperatives.

Our mission is to be a catalyst for the development of self-supporting communities through cooperative economic development, land retention, and advocacy.

We envision sustainable rural communities supported by a network of farmers, landowners, and cooperatives based on local control and ownership.

Hope you can join us!

Tune in for a membership portal walk-through, upcoming events, and announcements

05/12/2026

We Are Hiring an Administrative Assistant!
Columbia, South Carolina

This position is an in-person and will report to the South Carolina State Coordinator.
Job Summary:
The Administrative Assistant will perform a range of administrative and clerical support in a small office setting with 5-10 staff members in the field office.
See Full Job Description for the Columbia, South Carolina Field Office: https://www.federation.coop/careers

Please forward your resume and cover letter to:
[email protected]

“Work for a cause, not for applause. Live life to express, not to impress. Don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt.”