A region of small towns and beautiful views, Saluda County brings Southern hospitality to the 21st century. Located in central South Carolina at the intersection of two major highways, Saluda County land and farms have easy access to major cities like Columbia and Charleston, as well as interstate connections to Augusta and Athens. Saluda County farmers export hundreds of pounds of peaches, corn, and vegetables along these routes yearly, alongside a significant number of poultry and cattle products. The Saluda County Cooperative Extension works alongside farmers and agricultural producers to make sure this production stays steady, offering classes on alternative farming methods, food production, agricultural and timber taxes, and more. The Extension Office also supports Saluda County’s youth through 4-H programs, clubs, and projects, including the annual Saluda County 4-H Livestock Show. The county also supports kids’ general education: Saluda County Schools supports five K-12 schools, a comprehensive Adult Education program, and the Saluda Opportunity Academy, which provides individual support to students struggling in traditional academic environments.
Land and farms in Saluda County benefit from close-knit communities dedicated to supporting local business. The Town of Saluda’s puts on bi-monthly events featuring local vendors and entertainment, while the Farmer’s Market in Ridge Spring supports local farmers and vendors throughout the summer months. The annual Ridge Spring Harvest Festival draws thousands of visitors every year to sample local food, support local vendors, and celebrate the area’s agrarian history. Residents can find more everyday entertainment at venues like the Saluda Theatre, which was built as a movie theater in 1936 and now houses productions by the Saluda Players community theatre group. Those wanting to get back to nature can spend days at Lake Murray, which covers 50,000 acres of water and offers plenty of opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming, and camping.
