Hugh Weathers for Commissioner of Agriculture

On Wednesday afternoon on the 11th, I had several appointments in Charleston. I’ll recount the trip for you to give you an idea of the people and issues I encounter as Commissioner of Agriculture. Blanche was driving and I was dialing. (asking some of you reading this for financial support) First stop was Boone Hall Plantation in Mt. Pleasant. Owner Willie McRae is a good supporter, friend, and associate. We took him some campaign signs, but then stopped to see his new market where he sells many of his own and other South Carolina products direct to the public. Direct marketing of our own products has been a big focus for us in the Department, with a new branding program under development. Then to WCBD Channel 2 to tape a campaign spot to go on their web site. It only required 2 takes and they said I was a natural. I told them to line up a part-time sports reporting job on the weekend for me. Next stop, North Charleston to meet with Mr. Jerry Zucker to talk about alternative energy. I told Blanche it was one of the most fascinating conversations I’d had in a long time. Mr. Zucker is world-renowned for his many entrepreneurial successes. He told me about a process he’s working on to make diesel fuel for less than a $1.00 a gallon. We then went out to Johns Island to see the Legare’s and leave them some signs. Thomas and his sister Helen are very active in agri-tourism. Over the next month, they’ll have over 20,000 people visit their beautiful property on the river to go through their corn maize, take a hayride, or build their own scarecrow. We discussed the issue of wayfinding signs to agri-tourism locations such as theirs. We rode out to Edisto Island to check on campaign signs from the primary on the road to the Beach. They were still there. By this time, it’s almost 8:00, and Blanche says she won’t make it home without something to eat. Eating is always a good idea to me. We went back through Hollywood (in case you didn’t know, we have our own Hollywood in South Carolina). Luckily, Dean’s Family Seafood was open. We had the best shrimp and flounder that we’d had in quite a while. Because my aunt and uncle had lived there for a great number of years, we knew a lot of the same people. Dean and I began to talk about the Market Bulletin that the department publishes, and that he let his subscription lapse. I told him about ethanol and biodiesel being a top priority for me as Commissioner. Dean explained that he’s been filtering used cooking oil and blending it with regular diesel fuel for use in his truck. We laughed and wondered if his truck smells like fried shrimp when he’s driving down the road. Dean and his son Jason made for a great ending to a long day in the low-country. On the ride home, Blanche and I discussed the stops we’d made. The conclusion was that we live in a great state full of great people involved in agriculture in many ways. It reminded me of what a privilege it is to serve as Commissioner of Agriculture for South Carolina.

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