story by Jordan Pupa
Dargan Farms, located in Darlington, is a fifth and sixth generation, family-owned operation with roots that go back hundreds of years. The land was obtained before the Revolutionary War through a King’s Grant. Most recently, Dargan Farms has been recognized as SC’s Top Large Farm of the year. They grow wheat, rye, corn, soybeans, cotton, and turfgrass. Additionally, they love having friends, family, and lots of people around to join in on everything they do at the farm. Fun at the farm is always guaranteed!
Growing is their passion and it shows. Dargan Turf Farm was started in 2001 when Edwin Dargan and his son, Ned, put their years of agriculture expertise to work in the turf growing business. Both Edwin and Ned graduated from Clemson University with agronomy degrees. Dargan Turf Farm provides turf to homeowners, lawn professionals, athletic fields, and golf courses. They grow and sell Zoysia turf, Centipede and 419 Bermuda grasses, which have proven to be the sod types that do well for the Pee Dee Region and surrounding area. They even deliver sod in Florence and the surrounding counties in South Carolina. With their extensive farming and growing experience, they bring you the finest, durable turf grown in the best conditions available.
The community is always welcome to enjoy the farm. Many years ago, Ned and his brother, James, along with their wives, expanded the farm to include agritourism. At the time, there weren’t any corn mazes in the Darlington and Florence areas and the couples believed the Pee Dee could benefit from a family-friendly attraction. They started the corn maze at a farm in Florence in 2011 and relocated it to the Darlington home a few years later. They grow strawberries for picking in the spring and open a corn maze during the fall.
Many fun-filled, family-friendly events are held throughout the year such as the Easter Funfest complete with a helicopter egg drop and a Fall Festival complete with a pumpkin patch. The play area features a giant tube slide, a corn box, a rope maze, a tire mountain, a dirt mountain, corn hole games, swings, and chickens and goats! Field trip and birthday party packages are also available for groups to enjoy fun and interactive adventures on the farm. Their goal is to make the Dargan Farms experience enjoyable and educational for those of all ages!
For more information on upcoming events, follow Dargan Farms on Facebook @darganfarms, or visit darganfarms.com.
For more information on Dargan Turf Farms, follow @darganturf on Facebook or visit darganturffarm.com.