Katie Rees

Market Development Director
South Carolina Department of Agriculture

Katie earned an Agriculture Business degree from Clemson University in 2015. She began her career working at specialty produce distributor, Freshpoint in Atlanta, GA where she learned about produce supply chain logistics, retail and food service markets, and the importance of building relationships in the industry. In 2017, Katie brought that knowledge with her to work in the marketing department of the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) where she previously interned during her junior year of college. Katie’s internship along with prior experience working in production and research and development at a South Carolina peach farm helped shape her passion for South Carolina agriculture, especially perishables. Katie now serves as the SCDA Market Development Coordinator where her priorities include developing innovative marketing and merchandising plans to promote South Carolina product sales through retail, wholesale, and food service marketing channels, both in and out of state. She also oversees several marketing program areas including specialty crops, farm to school, Southern United States Trade Association, and specialty food products, all within the lens of identifying successful market opportunities for SC farmers