Ethan Bedford is a jack of all trades — and he kind of has to be, as the owner of Hazelwood Dairy Farms in Chester. He and his family run the farm, an agricultural center, a rodeo arena and a general store. Devyn corrals Ethan for a chat about the legacy of the farm and his intentional approach to agriculture, teaching, sustainability and building community amongst farmers.
For more about Chester, visit SCPalmettoPorch.com.

Darren Smith, owner and head chef at Conway’s Rivertown Bistro, has had an extraordinary journey. Starting as a child in his grandma's kitchen, he passed on formal culinary school in exchange for practical experience, and opened his now well-known restaurant at just 25 years old. Today, Darren is a South Carolina Chef Ambassador and owns two establishments in the quaint little town along the Waccamaw. Devyn stops in to chat with the serial restaurateur about how the area has transformed around him.

For more on Conway, visit SCPalmettoPorch.com.

In the 1980s, the late Bill Wells wanted to build a place where families could enjoy the music he loved. He and his wife opened Bill’s Music Shop and Pickin’ Parlor — part shop, part venue, part classroom. Today, his son, Willie, sits down with Devyn to share how bluegrass has surged in popularity, and how it continues to evolve through the talent, programming and community around West Columbia.

For more on West Columbia, visit SCPalmettoPorch.com.

New places, new stories, same Southern charm. Host Devyn Whitmire brings us another season on the Porch, highlighting individuals who contribute to their town's unique character, charm and enduring spirit. Discover delicious food, stunning natural beauty and captivating culture. Premiering September 17.

For more information, visit SCPalmettoPorch.com.

Scott Newitt, co-founder of Firefly Distillery, started out with a job in the wine industry and a love of music. With that in mind, it makes sense for South Carolina’s largest distillery to also be a vibrant hub for live performances. Scott sits down with Devyn to share his journey, from the challenges of building a successful distillery, through the evolution of Firefly as both a business and a cultural space, to how he and his team balance their craft with a commitment to the surrounding area.

For more about North Charleston, visit SCPalmettoPorch.com.

Before going through her studies at Binghamton University, Dr. Katherine “Katie” Seeber didn’t know anything about Mitchelville, the first town built for free people on Hilton Head Island. As an archaeologist and historian, it’s her job to dig up the past to understand people, places, and cultures. But Katie’s visit to this small coastal town left an everlasting impression on her, and changed the trajectory of her career. Devyn catches up with Katie, and they discuss the importance of telling the stories of Mitchelville’s residents — both past and present.

Get more travel ideas at SCPalmettoPorch.com.

North Augusta is a cozy, family-friendly city nestled along the Savannah River, right at the state line. People often pop in to visit relatives — but local leaders want them to have more than a nice dinner with the folks. Devyn talks to Karl Waldhauer about how he became North Augusta’s first director of tourism, and what the area’s revitalization means to him.

Learn more about North Augusta at SCPalmettoPorch.com.

Michelle Cunningham wanted a change of pace. Selling everything she owned, she set out on a trip across the country in a camper. In the Pacific Northwest, Michelle discovered her love for state park systems, and the community around them. Now the park manager for Little Pee Dee State Park, Michelle hopes to inspire those like her — people who may be looking for purpose, and a place to belong. She joins Devyn on the porch to talk about her journey.

Looking for more about Little Pee Dee State Park? Go to SCPalmettoPorch.com.

In 2008, busy middle school teacher Erica McCier received news that would change her life forever: her kidneys were failing. As she adjusted to this harsh reality, she found sanctuary in the cooking shows she watched while going through treatment. A transplant and a career change later, and the new Chef Erica—or Trudy, as folks would call her—sets out to bring a unique dining experience to Abbeville, earning herself a place among South Carolina’s 2023 Chef Ambassadors.

Visit SCPalmettoPorch.com to discover more about Abbeville.

Every day, a restaurant in Loris serves steaming bowls of chicken bog, the town’s most famous dish. But what is chicken bog? And how did it place an entire town on the map for so many travelers? Loris native and “Bog Ambassador” Cobi Williams joins Devyn on the Porch to share about life in his hometown, and how its community has come together over one humble culinary delight.

Want more about Loris? Visit SCPalmettoPorch.com.