Steven Richards

Educational Background

Ph.D. Food and Specialty Crop Marketing
Clemson University 2022

MBA Business Administration
Antioch University 1996

MS Agricultural Economics
Ohio State University 1998

BS Food Science and Nutrition
Ohio State University 1992

Profile

Steve Richards is a Senior Extension Associate with the Extension Agribusiness Program Team and the Director of the Center for Cooperative and Enterprise Development at Clemson University. His specialty is helping agricultural entrepreneurs with business planning, feasibility studies, business succession, and business expansion. Steve also has statewide responsibilities in agribusiness management, marketing, and finance.

Steve's work experience began in quality assurance and production management for food processing firms in the Midwest. Next, he worked for Cornell Cooperative Extension, authoring many business planning workbooks and consulting with hundreds of agricultural businesses on topics such as profitability improvement, business expansion, business financing, and succession planning. In his more recent roles, Steve consulted for Farm Credit East and worked with agricultural entrepreneurs in the Finger Lakes food, wine, and tourism region.

Extension and Outreach

Business Planning, Feasibility Studies, Cooperative Organization, Business Startups, Business Expansions, Value Added Agriculture, and Specialty Crop Marketing.

Publications

Richards, S., & Vassalos, M. (2023). Marketing opportunities and challenges for locally raised meats: An online consumer survey in South Carolina. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 12(2), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2023.122.009

Richards, S, Vassalos, M., and Motallebi, M. (2022). National Restaurant Procurers Survey Highlights Marketing Opportunities for Local Aquaculture and Seafood Producers. Abstract for the World Aquaculture Society (WAS). World Aquaculture Society and Aquaculture North America Annual Conference. St John, Newfoundland, Canada.

Richards, S., Vassalos, M., & Motallebi, M. National Restaurant Food Procurer Survey Highlights Marketing Opportunities and Challenges for Local Meat Producers. Western Agricultural Economics Association Annual Meeting. Presented June 27, 2022, Santa Fe, NM.

Richards, S & Vassalos, M. (2022). Marketing Local Meats in South Carolina Post COVID-19. Abstract for the Southern Agricultura Economics Association (SAEA). Southern Agricultural Economics Association Annual Conference. Presented February 13, 2022 in New Orleans, LA.

Richards, S & Motallebi, M. (2021). Survey Captures South Carolina Oyster Consumer Preferences. Abstract for Aquaculture America Annual Conference and Proceedings.. Presented August 14, 2021 in San Antonio, TX. Publication in conference proceedings, August 11-14, 2021.

Cheplick, D., Motallebi, M., Richards, S., Dickes, L., Gaines, G., and Walters, K. (2021). Seafood Consumption Preferences and Attributes Influencing Awareness of South Carolina Aquaculture Products. Journal of Food Distribution Research. Volume 52, Issue 3, pp. 24-45.

Richards, S., & Vassalos, M. (2021). COVID-19 and Consumer Demand for Local Meat Products in South Carolina. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 10(3), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2021.103.004

Richards, S., & Motallebi, M. (2021). New survey shows COVID-19’s impacts on South Carolina oyster farmers and offers hope for recovery. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 10(2), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2021.102.016

Bolt, Brian, Steve Richards, and Matt Fischer (2021). “Consumer’s Guide to Buying Beef”. Clemson Land Grant Press. #LGP 1104. January 25, 2021.

Richards, S, M. Motallebi, & L. Dickes (2020). Results of South Carolina Oyster Consumer Preference Survey. Report for USDA NRCS Grant Project #2019-67024-29671. Reviewed by M. Vassalos, M. Motallebi, and L. Dickes. Submitted November 28, 2020.

Richards, S., & Vassalos, M. (2020). COVID-19 amplifies local meat supply chain issues in South Carolina. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 10(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2020.101.001

Richards, Steven (2020). “Federal Grant Applications: What You Need to Know Before You Start Writing. Clemson Land Grant Press. #LGP 1077. July 5, 2020

Richards, Steven (2020). “Evaluating the Potential for Organic Farming Practices in South Carolina”. Final Report for USDA NRCS grant award # 69-4639-17-142, reviewed by M. Motallebi and M. Vassalos. Completed June 29, 2020.

Richards, Steven (2020). “The South Carolina Shellfish Industry Faces a Challenging Recovery After COVID-19”. Clemson Land Grant Press #LGP 1071. June 18, 2020.

Richards, Steven (2020). “Impacts of COVID-19 Restaurant Closures on the South Carolina Shellfish Industry”. Clemson Land Grant Press #LGP1070. June 17, 2020.

Richards, Steven (2020). “Opportunities for Specialty Crop Producers During COVID-19 Restaurant Recovery”. Clemson Land Grant Press #LGP0167. June 2020.

Richards, Steven (2020). “The Post COVID-19 Restaurant Recovery Will Take A While”. Clemson Land Grant Press #LGP0168. June 2020.

Boyles, Ben, Steven Richards, David Lamie, Charlotte Maxwell, and Matt Fischer (2020). “Moving Your Farm Product Sales Online”. Clemson Land Grant Press #LGP1062. May 2020.

Richards, Steven, Charlotte Maxwell, and Adam Kantrovich (2020). “Farm Rental Arrangements” Clemson Land Grant Press #LGP 1065. May 2020.

Fischer, Matt, Steve Richards, and Brian Bolt (2020). “Direct Marketing Your Livestock Products”. Clemson Land Grant Press #LGP 1058. May 2020.

Mickey, Scott, Adam Kantrovich, Nathan Smith, Steve Richards, and Kevin Burkett (2020). “Managing PPP Loans for Forgiveness”. Clemson Land Grant Press. May 2020.

Kantrovich, Adam, Nathan Smith, Steve Richards, and Scott Mickey (2020). “When do Taxes Have to be Filed This Year?”. Clemson Land Grant Press #LGP1043. April 2020.

Kantrovich, Adam, Nathan Smith, Steve Richards, and Scott Mickey (2020). “Economic Impact Payments: How do They Work?” Clemson Land Grant Press #LGP1041. April 2020.

Richards, Steven, Scott Mickey, Nathan Smith, and Adam Kantrovich (2020). “Having Cash Flow Problems Due to COVID-19?”. Clemson Land Grant Press #LGP1042. March 2020.

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