Commissioner of Agriculture (R): Danny Lee Ford II, Fred West

DANNY LEE FORD II

Why are you running?

— Protecting farmland: South Carolina is losing farmland at an alarming rate to development and urban sprawl. Protecting working land is essential to preserving our rural communities, food supply and agriculture economy.
— The future of farming: Farmers are aging, and young farmers are being priced out of the land. Without a clear path for succession and affordability, family farms will continue to disappear. We must make it possible for the next generation to farm.
— Agriculture infrastructure: South Carolina lacks the processing facilities needed to support farmers. Crops, timber and livestock are often sent out of state — or out of the country for processing, costing us jobs and economic growth. Farmers need infrastructure and infrastructure needs farmers.
— Family farms: Family farms are the backbone of South Carolina agriculture, yet they face mounting financial pressure and uncertainty. The Department of Agriculture must be a true partner from planting to processing to profit — so farmers have a clear path to success.
— Forestry and timber: Forestry remains a vital industry, but mill closures and lost processing capacity have weakened the sector. We need leadership that will work alongside foresters to keep this industry.
— Local food and food security: Supporting local farmers strengthens our economy and protects our food supply. It is important to invest in South Carolina farmers and keep food production close to home.

Have you run for political office before? If so, explain:

No, I have never run for political office before. I was compelled to run for South Carolina commissioner of agriculture because I am passionate about community, steadfast in pursuit of reform, and I believe the agency should be led by someone who understands agriculture from the ground up, not another career politician. I have seen how decisions made without farmer input can increase costs, limit opportunity and put family farms at risk.

Where and how long have you lived in South Carolina?

I was born in Greenville and raised in Clemson. My father coached at the University of Arkansas when I was in elementary school. After five years, we moved back to our family farm in the Upstate. I lived in Colorado, Texas and Florida for a handful of years during my college and young adult years. I am now raising my children in the Upstate on the same farm that I played and worked on when I was growing up. South Carolina has always been “home” to me.

Current job/profession:

Father, husband, farmer, pilot and agribusiness owner

What makes you qualified for the seat?

As a current grower and rancher, I understand firsthand what it takes to keep an operation running in today’s economy. From navigating federal and state regulations to finding reliable markets and managing labor, I have experienced the challenges South Carolina farmers face every day. My commitment to agriculture is deeply rooted in my family. As the son of former Clemson football head coach Danny Ford, I grew up around the values that define South Carolina — hard work, accountability, teamwork and service. Watching my father shaped my conviction that proven leadership means listening, responsibility and earning the trust of the state you represent.

What challenges/concerns do you see in South Carolina (up to 3), especially relating to Sumter and the Midlands, and how do you intend to improve them?

Like many regions in S.C., the Midlands is facing challenges and threats to land. I will encourage master planning policies that seek to balance conservation of natural resources with "smart growth" development. I will prioritize protecting farmland from overdevelopment by corporate or foreign investors. I will support regulatory oversight and transparency for large land sales and proposed changes in land use (i.e. solar fields, data centers, etc). As commissioner, I will facilitate collaboration between public and private partnerships as we address these challenges facing the state we all love.

What successes have you seen that you want to build on?

The farm to school program has seen tremendous growth in the number of schools that participate. However, the program only has 21 farm participants. I will prioritize expanding the program by improving and streamlining processes that will remove unnecessary barriers for farmers to participate in the program. This would ultimately benefit our local growers and allow our children to receive healthy fresh food with less preservatives. In S.C., 1 in 6 children are facing food insecurity, which is unacceptable with healthy food available in their communities. Our children cannot grow and learn while they are hungry.

Are you actively involved in your community? How so?

I am actively involved in serving my community in a variety of ways. Depending on the day, I may be baling hay with my father, helping my neighbor with their farming needs, providing testimony at county council meetings against data centers taking over our land, advocating alongside parents of children with epilepsy and special needs or volunteering as a pilot assisting rural churches in N.C. that were devastated by Hurricane Helene.

FRED WEST

Why are you running?

I’m running for South Carolina commissioner of agriculture to put farmers first and ensure our state’s agricultural industry remains strong for generations to come. With decades of experience in agribusiness, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges our farmers face from overregulation to foreign threats to our farmland. I’m ready to bring a business-minded, conservative approach to protect our agricultural heritage, strengthen food security and promote South Carolina-grown products.

Have you run for political office before? If so, explain:

No. This is my first time running for public office. My career has been focused on leading in the private sector and serving in key roles within South Carolina’s agricultural community, preparing me to step into this position with real-world experience and a results-driven mindset.

Where and how long have you lived in South Carolina?

I am a lifelong South Carolinian and proud native of the Palmetto State. My roots here have shaped my values, my work ethic and my commitment to serving the people and agricultural community of South Carolina. My wife, Michelle, and I reside in Batesburg Leesville.

Current job/profession:

I recently served as director of market development at the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, where I worked to expand opportunities for farmers and connect South Carolina products to markets. I stepped away from the position to focus on campaigning full time for farmers and the people of South Carolina.

What makes you qualified for the seat?

I bring over 30 years of leadership experience in agribusiness and public service. As a former vice president at Amick Farms, I helped lead a company with more than 3,500 employees, overseeing operations ranging from regulatory affairs to public relations. I’ve also served in leadership roles across major agricultural organizations and worked at the S.C. Department of Agriculture. This combination of private-sector leadership and public service gives me the experience needed to lead effectively on day one.

What challenges/concerns do you see in South Carolina (up to 3), especially relating to Sumter and the Midlands, and how do you intend to improve them?

1) Loss of farmland and overdevelopment — South Carolina is rapidly losing valuable farmland to development. I will work to protect agricultural land, promote responsible growth and ensure farmland stays productive for future generations.
2) Overregulation and burdens on farmers — Farmers are facing increasing regulatory pressure that makes it harder to operate. I will advocate for commonsense policies that support farmers instead of hindering them.
3) Market access for local producers — Many farmers, especially in rural areas like Sumter and the Midlands, struggle to find consistent markets. I will expand market development efforts to connect local producers with retailers, institutions and consumers, strengthening our agricultural economy.

What successes have you seen that you want to build on?

South Carolina has made significant progress in promoting local agriculture and growing the economic impact of agribusiness across the state. I want to build on these successes by expanding market opportunities, strengthening branding for South Carolina-grown products and continuing to grow agriculture as one of our state’s leading industries.

Are you actively involved in your community? How so?

Yes. I’ve been actively involved in both the agricultural community and local service organizations. I’ve served in leadership roles with the Palmetto Agribusiness Council and the South Carolina Poultry Federation, and I currently co-chair Family Promise of the Midlands, which supports families facing homelessness. I serve as a ruling elder and trustee at my church.