2007 Job Exchange participants Mike Keisler, owner of James R. Sease Farms in Gilbert, S.C., and Bruce Hiller, Development Administrator with the County of Lexington Community Development office.
Bruce Hiller learns how to examine kale during his Farm-City job exchange experience.
S.C. State Rep. Nikki Haley and Clayton Rawl Farms Manager, Chris Rawl, exchanged jobs for Lexington Farm-City in 2005. |
What happens when a farmer and a community development administrator “switch” jobs for the day? Both get a first-hand look at the important connections between farm and city!
As part of their Farm-City Week activities, South Carolina’s Lexington Farm-City Committee has conducted a job exchange for the past 12 years. This day-in-the-life activity allows participants to gain a better understanding of “farm” and “city” operations during their one-day, on-the-job training. Participants then share their experiences when they make a presentation at the Lexington Farm-City Week Kick-Off Banquet in November.
In 2007, the Lexington Farm-City Committee went back to its first farm job exchange participant to have Mike Keisler swap jobs again after a twelve-year hiatus. Mike, owner of James R. Sease Farms in Gilbert, S.C., switched places with Bruce Hiller, Development Administrator in the County of Lexington’s Community Development Department.
The job exchange made a positive impact on Bruce’s viewpoint of the farm and city relationship. Bruce relayed both his and Mike’s observations in his banquet presentation, with the following excerpts. Bruce realized that farming affects the food we eat, “but from a community development standpoint, I learned that zoning regulations greatly impact agriculture-related activities, especially as land development increases.”
Mike added, “Lexington County’s rapid growth is recognized as both a threat and a potential for local agriculture. The threat includes high land values causing farm land to disappear into sub-divisions and businesses. The potential benefit is being able to market our crops to new neighbors eager to buy fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables.”
Bruce concluded his presentation at the Farm-City banquet by stating, “I would like to remind everyone that our roots in Lexington County came from farming being ‘King’ and I believe that from a regulatory point of view, we should continue to treat it as ‘Royalty’.”
In another job exchange, Chris Rawl, Vice President and Operations Manager of Clayton Rawl Farms in Lexington, S.C., and Nikki Haley, S.C. State Representative for House District 87, swapped jobs for the day during the Committee’s 2005 Job Exchange. Rep. Haley also currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of her family’s clothing company, a premier ladies boutique offering casual, business and formal wear.
Chris shadowed Rep. Haley for the day, visiting Rep. Haley’s family clothing business and her offices at the S.C. State Capitol. Chris participated in government meetings with Rep. Haley, the S.C. Speaker of the House and the S.C. Governor.
Chris says, “I spoke with the Governor about his farm downstate that included timber and cucumbers at the time, whereas my conversation with the Speaker of the House focused on relaying the importance of agriculture to the public.” Chris then gave Rep. Haley a tour of his family’s vegetable farm and distribution facility that includes packing and shipping operations for its RAWL VEGGIES™.
The Lexington Farm-City Committee has been honored by the National Farm-City Council’s Recognition Program with both National and State Awards in recent years for its commitment, energy, and hard work implementing successful programs advancing the Farm-City mission.
For more information regarding the National Farm-City Council’s Recognition Program, download the details and a nomination form. |
