DORCHESTER, S.C. (WCSC) — A Dorchester County family is being honored for 150 years of consecutive Black land stewardship.

The Sims family has received recognition from Dorchester County, honoring their multi-generational ownership, farming and community service over the years. The county has officially proclaimed Jan. 10 as “Sims Family Legacy Day,” paying homage to the day the family received the original land deed back in 1876.

“It’s a great honor, and I think it brings joy to our whole family just knowing that we’re finally being recognized for the things that we’ve done in our community,” Jonathan Sims, Sims Farms LLC partner and fifth-generation farmer, says.

Sims says the family passes down knowledge of financial literacy that has also helped them stay on top of each other so that the land stays within the family.

“My little cousins are all excited, and my aunts and uncles are just happy to see that people are finally recognizing a Black family and that it was hard for us to acquire land and also keep the land with everything that’s going on with eminent domain from just different people not paying taxes.”

Evelyn Moses is a 93-year-old matriarch of the family and still remembers helping out on the farm when she was little. She says she is proud of seeing how much the farm has expanded.

“I really appreciate this [the proclamation],” she says. “The family sticks together.”

Since Franklin Sims acquired the 80 acres of land, the family has since turned it into a farm that uses USDA-certified organic practices on their melon field, vegetable crops, herbs like mint and hibiscus and their vineyard. The farm has also expanded to market products from its vineyard, including flavored wines, bottled teas and juices.

The Sims Farm has also provided local employment opportunities and strengthened the community by enhancing economic development through its local produce and products.

In 2022, the farm was designated one of the Palmetto state’s agritourism farms, welcoming dozens of tourists to tour the property and learn about sustainable farming. The family has also received an original letter from South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster to commemorate the anniversary.

The Sims family will be hosting a legacy dinner on Saturday to celebrate the proclamation.

Find out more about the Sims Farm and their products here.

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