Danny Ford II, a candidate for South Carolina’s commissioner of agriculture, recently sat down for an interview to discuss his plans for the state’s agriculture system. Ford is the only candidate from the Upstate and is in a runoff for the Republican nomination against Cody Simpson.

Farm to Table Challenges

Ford emphasized the importance of supporting local farmers and getting their products into the hands of consumers. He noted that 68% of the produce in traditional grocery stores is imported, and only 10% is truly sustainable. Ford wants to create a roadmap for small farmers to get their goods into the consumer market.

Ford also discussed the issue of food security, pointing out that South Carolina grows and produces many of the same products that are imported from other countries. He suggested that the state’s agriculture department should be doing more to support local farmers and get their products into the distribution system.

Regulation and Technology

Ford believes that the state’s agriculture system can benefit from modern technology and that over-regulation is a major obstacle for farmers and restaurants. He cited the example of beef processors, which are required to have a USDA inspector on site, but are not allowed to process beef for prime certification.

Ford also mentioned Louisiana as a state that is doing things right in terms of supporting its agriculture system. He expressed his admiration for the way Louisiana champions its local products and suggested that South Carolina could learn from their example.

Original reporting: Greenville Journal — read the source article.