Emile DeFelice, agriculture commissioner

14 Replies

De_felice1

Tuesday, 1:15 p.m. — As I’ve mentioned here before, Emile DeFelice is a very cool candidate. We know that because he is a habitue of this blog. He has been known to comment, using his full name (as all good bloggers should), but by his own admission, "I don’t participate that often." He likes to read it, though: "I’m what they call a ‘lurker‘."

He does not intend to play such a passive role if elected to head the state’s Department of Agriculture, however. There’d be a whole lot of shakin’ goin’ on. If he has anything to do with it, South Carolina will be farming — and eating — in a whole new way.

His enthusiasm for change is infectious. He says things like "America is falling in love — again, I should say — with agriculture. And food. Farming. A lot of people are discovering their inner farmer," and it doesn’t even sound particularly weird. You can get caught up in what he calls "gastroeconomics."

"It’s truly the most democratic thing we have," he says. "And I see issues everywhere" — not just among members of the Farm Bureau. Everyone should care deeply about this race, he believes: "It’s bigger than the governor. I mean really, this is our food…"

Think of him as the Oliver Wendell Douglas in this campaign. When he talks about farming and America, you can hear the fife playing "Yankee Doodle" in the background.

Like many candidates, Mr. De Felice says he got involved when he couldn’t get the incumbent involved in something he saw as important. He went to Commissioner Hugh Weathers with an idea to revitalize the dairy industry in the state through the organic approach. "He literally kicked back in his chair and said, ‘This just ain’t gonna fly in South Carolina’."

Actually, Mr. Weathers may be right. Mr. De Felice’s affinity for organic farming and macrobiotics may be a little too innovative for a lot of voters. But I think his approach is great. He certainly has the best slogan of anybody running for any office this year — of anybody running for any office since I’ve been covering S.C. politics: "Put Your State on Your Plate."

To eat local — thereby encouraging farmers to grow a variety of foods, and stimulating grocers to stock their produce — just makes sense on every possible level, not the least of which being that it helps promote energy independence. He invokes the spirit of the Victory Garden.

"It’s the way to eat your way to a much better state," he says.

Mr. DeFelice started out selling herbs "out of my backyard in Olympia" to a retailer at the Farmer’s Market. Now, he grows hogs. He freely admits that they aren’t certified organic, though, because he has no local organic source of feed with which to supplement their grazing. (The farm on which they graze, however, apparently is organic — at least, according to his Web site.) So he’s not doctrinaire. He seems happy just to move in the right direction, as much as possible.

He’s not about theories. He said his opponent is proud of having gotten $600,000 in non-recurring state funds to market South Carolina farm products. He doesn’t study it; "I do it. I don’t need their money… We are marketing our state." He’s also proud that he doesn’t take subsidies in his farming business: "I farm the free market."

De_felice2

14 thoughts on “Emile DeFelice, agriculture commissioner”

  2. Swimsuit

    Swimsuit, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit,Swimsuit Models,Swimsuit Coverups, Swimsuit Pice, Swimsuit Girls,Swimsuit Girls on yahoo shopingMs No Swimsuit,Swimsuit Conteste, Hot Swimsuit Anime Girlse, Jennie Finch Swimsuit, Swimsuit Issue,Swimsuit Issue google Maria Sharapova Swimsuit, Lindsay Lohan Swimsuit Pice, Serena Williams Swimsuit Pictures, Swimsuit Catalogse, One Piece Swimsuit, Swimsuit Photos, Swimsuit Photos also on msnSwimsuit Calender, Womens Swimsuit, Swimsuit Edition, Danica Patrick Swimsuit Pictures,

    Reply ↓
  3. dating online

    Dating Dnline, Online Dating,Singles clubFree Online Dating,dating with Yahoo! PersonalsDating Sites,free online dating siteDating Services,Alliance-Inter Dating ServicesDating Tips,tips and advice free dating Dating Direct,Google PR Troubles and the Lycos Dating ServiceYahoo Dating,Partner mit YahooDating Personals,Christian Dating,Hotmail Largest Online Dating WebsiteDating Websites,Dating Sims,Dating Sim is a type of computer gameOnline Sims Dating Games,msn gay chat roomsInternet Dating,Great Expectations Dating,Plentyoffish Dating,Gay Dating,Free gay personals Nz Dating,Herpes Dating,Herpes Picture DatingMarried Dating,Free Dating Chat Sites,

    Reply ↓
  4. Dating Sim For Girls

    Dating Sim For Girls

    Filter by Elf Girl Sim Date RPG, a free Showing: 1-10 of 12 Next 2. User rating: Datin

    Reply ↓
  6. Singles Dating Service

    Singles Dating Service

    We have millions of Online Dating Service, Free Personals, and Matchmaking S

    Reply ↓
  7. Dating Free Married Personals Services

    Dating Free Married Personals Services

    Uncensored Personal Ads with photos for married Members from all over the world. married dating

    Reply ↓
  14. Andrea Phillips

    Hi,
    I just visited your website and noticed that you don’t
    have a one-on-one footer chat bar for your users.
    I would like to introduce you to CometChat – a Facebook style floating
    chat bar. CometChat includes some great features such as video chat and
    2-player games. It also integrates seamlessly with your website.
    I can assure you that your users will spend more time on your website once
    you get CometChat. Do have a look at our website for more information:
    http://www.cometchat.com/?ref=CCS4
    Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any queries whatsoever.
    Warm Regards,
    Andrea Phillips
    CometChat Sales

    Reply ↓

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *