Welcome Ronnie Ansley, Candidate for Agriculture Commissioner

Ronnie Ansley will be joining us tonight at 7:00 p.m. to take your questions. Please join us this evening if possible, but if you can't be here please feel free to leave questions on this thread. Here's a little information from his site:

We need to focus on creating jobs, reducing fuel costs and making North Carolina the leader in food, fiber and fuel production through agriculture. We must invest in renewable-sustainable green energy sources for fuel production. These bio-fuels can be made from renewable sources – agriculture products. We must become energy independent to help lower fuel costs and cut our dependence on foreign oil. And we can do this without using corn or soybeans. We should use corn and soybeans to feed people and animals.
Agriculture is the number one economic industry in North Carolina, contributing about $73 Billion dollars to our economy. We need real leadership to bring everyone involved together and move us forward in growing our economy, keeping our food safe and affordable, and in making North Carolina number one in bio-fuels.

Ansley is certainly qualified for the job having worked in agriculture his entire life. He received his undergraduate degree in Agriculture Education from NC State and his masters in the same field from Clemson. Ansley went on to receive his law degree from the Mississippi College School of Law.

We look forward to having Ronnie visit with us this evening. Please join us at 7:00 p.m. with questions ready.

[Update]

Ronnie Ansley will be joining us in the next few minutes. Thank you, Ronnie and welcome to BlueNC.

Comments

I'll start the questions

Ronnie, welcome to BlueNC. Can you tell us exactly what the Agriculture Commissioner does?

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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.

The AG Commissioner is

The AG Commissioner is member of the Council of State. They are in charge of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services consisting of 17 divisions and over 1400 employees.

The primary goal of the department is protecting, maintaining, and enhancing the ability of agriculture to produce an adequate supply of food, fiber, and fuel. The department also enforces many regulatory programs, which promote the health, safety, and welfare of our citizens.

The 17 divisions of the Department of Agriculture are:
Agricultural Statistics
Agronomic Services
Budget and Finance
Emergency Programs
Food Distribution
Food and Drug Protection
Human Resources Office
Marketing
Meat and Poultry Inspection
NC State Fair
Plant Industry
Property and Construction
Public Affairs
Research Stations
Standards
Structural Pest Control and Pesticides
Veterinary

Ronnie Ansley
Candidate for NC Commissioner of Agriculture
http://www.ansley4ag.com

There was talk of using tobacco to create drugs.

I think this is a great idea, would you support it and how?

Also, I've gone into some detail about this before, but shouldn't taxes on cigarettes go towards helping agriculture here in North Carolina? Maybe making the move to organic/sustainable/local agriculture?

When Palin ran for mayor, she [said it was] "not rocket science." But after a tumultuous start, marked by controversial firings and lawsuits against the city, Palin felt compelled to hire a city manager

Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me

I support all agricultural

I support all agricultural endeavors including those involved in the field of medicine. With the educational and research facilities located throughout North Carolina we are in a perfect position to increase our use of a number of agricultural products in the production of medications and other products.

As to taxes on cigarettes being used to help agriculture both sustainable and otherwise, I believe we should be reinvesting in North Carolina’s number 1 industry. Last year, agriculture was responsible for approximately 73 billion dollars in our economy. The second largest industry was the military at 20 billion dollars. Sustainable agriculture and locally grown and sold agriculture products are extremely important and will have my support and backing as your Agriculture Commissioner.

Ronnie Ansley
Candidate for NC Commissioner of Agriculture
http://www.ansley4ag.com

State fair

Has that whole mess been cleaned up in terms of contracting?

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The end of an error

I believe we are in a much

I believe we are in a much better position than we were a number of years ago. As your Commissioner of Agriculture I will make the bidding process for the state fair and all other contracts transparent and open for review. I am firm believer that if you do not have anything to hide than you can be completely open with any process.

Ronnie Ansley
Candidate for NC Commissioner of Agriculture
http://www.ansley4ag.com

Perfect answer

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The end of an error

Ronnie, thank you for challenging Troxler

can you explain how you would be different?

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

Progressive Discussions

I have the leadership skills

I have the leadership skills and experience to move North Carolina agriculture forward. Leadership is making forward thinking decisions that will help North Carolina grow and prosper. Bringing everyone to the table and moving forward together on the next generation of bio-fuels is essential to our economic future as well as moving us toward energy independence. Leadership is about making the right decisions, hard decisions that will make a true difference to our State. When gas went to over $3.00 a gallon 3 years ago, the current Commissioner did nothing. We should have been moving forward with and investing in bio-fuels to help reduce fuel costs. I believe our Agriculture Commissioner needs to get his boots dirty in every County in North Carolina and find out what each County needs and not just sit in Raleigh and tell people what they are going to get.

Ronnie Ansley
Candidate for NC Commissioner of Agriculture
http://www.ansley4ag.com

Farms and farming in urban counties

Question #1 - I would like to know what your plans are to help preserve farms and farming in our more urban counties? Agriculture may not be a huge part of Mecklenburg (land use wise) but it is still a vital part of our economy. In the 2002 Census of Agriculture, Mecklenburg was ranked 2nd in the state for value of crops including nursery and greenhouse crops and 29th in the state for total value of agricultural products sold, so agriculture puts food on our tables in more than one way.

Question #2 - Sec. Troxler has been a big friend to the Soil and Water Conservation Districts here in NC during his tenure. How would you expand on this partnership?

Gray Newman
Chair - Mecklenburg County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Have you ever heard of a liberal shooting up a church?

Question 1: Education will

Question 1: Education will be extremely important to preserving our farms in all parts of North Carolina. Part of the job of the Agriculture Department will have to be getting the message out and helping people understand how important agriculture truly is to our state and our nation. Thomas Jefferson said over 200 years ago, “As agriculture goes, so will our nation.” This is still true today. We need to protect our family farms. One way to protect our family farms is through land preservation programs. Another would be to work with our legislature on the inheritance tax. In too many cases when a family member dies the family farm must be sold to pay the taxes. I would support putting a 10 year moratorium on the inheritance tax and if the farm were operated as such during that 10 year period then allow it to pass tax free. In the event, the farm is sold during that 10 year period or not continually farmed then inheritance tax and any penalties or interest could be recouped at that time.

Agriculture is more than traditional farming the green industry is vibrant and growing in North Carolina. And we need to support the green industry. We also need to support and market locally grown and sold agriculture products and sustainable agriculture.

Question 2: I would look to build stronger collations both within North Carolina and with other states exchanging ideas and best practices. Preserving our farmlands, green spaces, water sources, and the entire family of agriculture and agribusiness needs to be a team approach. Cooperation and understanding by the agriculture community and those not involved or not engaged in agricultural pursuits will be key in enhancing our preservation efforts.

Ronnie Ansley
Candidate for NC Commissioner of Agriculture
http://www.ansley4ag.com

I hope it's not too much of a third rail question

Do you think there is a place in NC agriculture for industrial hemp? I believe it could a huge boost for the first states who see the potential in the new green revolution of this amazing versatile crop.

Progressive Democrats of North Carolina

Great question

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The end of an error

When the term hemp is

When the term hemp is mentioned most people shutter and think only of marijuana. In simple terms, there are two types of hemp: industrial hemp and the hemp used for smoking, “marijuana.” When hemp was outlawed a number of years ago all forms of hemp were included. Industrial hemp was grown by many of our four fathers including a number of presidents such as George Washington. Industrial hemp can be used for many things. In the 1940s, the US Government produced a film touting the importance of growing domestic industrial hemp for use in the war effort and its many other uses. (If a person were to smoke a truck load of industrial hemp the THC, the chemical in marijuana used to get high, may cause them to have a headache, not much more.)

As we look to crops that would be beneficial to North Carolina and our abilities to become energy independent we most consider all potential crops. At present the law does not allow the use of industrial or any other type of hemp. Before industrial hemp could be grown in North Carolina or anywhere in the United States there would have to be a change in the drug laws.

Ronnie Ansley
Candidate for NC Commissioner of Agriculture
http://www.ansley4ag.com

Glad to see you are on the side of science.

Turning against hemp because of marijuana is like turning against rocks because of rock-ets. Just doesn't connect.

Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me

Small farmer vs big agribusiness

Aside from (some) local farm-fresh markets, small farms are being forced out of business because they're simply too small to successfully sell to the big conglomerates.

What can (or will) you do to help them get their produce to into the hands of consumers?

The Ag Department has a

The Ag Department has a number of divisions that when working together and with the local producers and end users can make a difference. When looking at food distribution and marketing with an emphasis on growing marketing and consumption locally there are new markets that should open up. One of the major drawbacks to date is the inability of the small farmer to effectively market their product due to cost constraints. By joining together as a unit and working with the existing programs and personnel within the Ag Department there will be more opportunities to support the small farms. Further working with retailers to provide and promote locally grown and organic crops will allow new markets for the farmers and wider variety of choices for the consumers.

Ronnie Ansley
Candidate for NC Commissioner of Agriculture
http://www.ansley4ag.com

I'm here, but only for a little while

Looking forward to reading the responses. I think NC could once again have a strong family farm presence.
When Palin ran for mayor, she [said it was] "not rocket science." But after a tumultuous start, marked by controversial firings and lawsuits against the city, Palin felt compelled to hire a city manager

Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me

Glad you could make it

I know evenings are rough with 3 little ones and a working/studying wife.

***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.

The whole "local" food movement

is really catching on (as the price of fuel goes astronomical). NC could be a leader in that area. No?

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The end of an error

What are you hearing in your travels around the state?

I'm guessing people are pretty darn worried about the whole Republican meltdown. How will the credit crunch affect agriculture?

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Doubts about Dole?

Agriculture is North

Agriculture is North Carolina’s number 1 industry. Agriculture includes many areas including production agriculture (farming), and agribusiness. The credit crisis will affect all areas of the economy. Agribusiness faces the same issues as the every other business. We need to work toward protecting agriculture and agribusiness as a national security matter. While we hear about the problems related to dependence on foreign oil we must guard against even the possibility of becoming dependent on foreign source for our food supply. If a country is ever dependent upon a foreign food supply that country is totally at the mercy of that supplier. While we are working to sure up the housing market and financial institutions we need an Agriculture Commissioner that fight for our State and Nation’s agriculture interest.

Ronnie Ansley
Candidate for NC Commissioner of Agriculture
http://www.ansley4ag.com

I've been reading a lot about "locavores"

or "localvores" - people who base as much of their diet as possible on locally grown fruits and vegetables and locally raised meat and poultry. Some of the more active growers I've read about in Union County are on land under 10 acres which means they have to jump through zoning loopholes to be considered a farm. With a greater emphasis on buying locally and with larger tracts of land getting harder to come by, do you think there will be a move to ease zoning hurdles for smaller farms? Is this something the Ag Commissioner can help with?

***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.

Did he get swallowed up by the Tubes?

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Doubts about Dole?

Most zoning issues are

Most zoning issues are handled on a local basis, however we need an Agriculture Commissioner that will be proactive in working with the Legislature to ensure the ability to continue grow new agricultural opportunities in North Carolina. There is great interest in locally grown and marketed products and in sustainable agriculture. I support these ideas and initiatives and will work with state and local leaders to help develop guidelines that will be friendly to agricultural pursuits.

Ronnie Ansley
Candidate for NC Commissioner of Agriculture
http://www.ansley4ag.com

The NCDA&CS website is filled with information

while surfing around I found that there is a Free publication the Agricultural Review that's offered. The advertising is also free, why are the taxpayers picking up the bill for advertising?

Past that, a while back when I was touring the state I saw signs designating farmers as "River Friendly". How do they qualify for this designation, does this program still exist and is there some sort of reward for qualifying?

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

Progressive Discussions

The Agriculture Review is an

The Agriculture Review is an information and advertising avenue to get information to people engaged in and interested in agriculture. The advertising is generally only a couple of lines and is service that is provided to help mainly small and family sized operations. There are strict guidelines to qualify for placing an ad in the publication.

As to being “River Friendly” and the guidelines, this designation is usually given for protecting rivers, lakes, and other water sources. For specifics I would recommend doing a search on the internet.

Ronnie Ansley
Candidate for NC Commissioner of Agriculture
http://www.ansley4ag.com

I wonder if he's using Internet Explorer and getting kicked off

Download firefox it seems to work better here.

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

Progressive Discussions

Maybe he has a one-year old with asthma....

Sorry, that's why I had to disappear. Back now, but only temporarily.

Speaking of which, does the Agg Commissioner have anything to do with school lunches? Because they are a travesty. A travesty.

Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me

The only thing the Ag

The only thing the Ag Commissioner has to do with school lunches (other than having eaten many of them) is the department of Agriculture does work with food distribution of products to primary and secondary schools, private schools, charitable institutions and needy households. Maybe it shows my age, but my high school alma mater had a great school lunch prepared by workers who were family members of the students who attended. Maybe I need to visit several schools to see what is happening today.

Ronnie Ansley
Candidate for NC Commissioner of Agriculture
http://www.ansley4ag.com

Yikes Robert,

a one-year old with asthma...that's rough!

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

Progressive Discussions

Gotta run. Thanks Ronnie.

I'm casting my ballot for you on the first day of early voting!
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Doubts about Dole?

Pesticides

Can you talk about pesticides and controlling overspray on workers?

Public health and safety is

Public health and safety is extremely important both to me and to our society. When looking at over spraying, overuse, misuse, and concerns with runoff, etc. it is important to have programs and regulations in place to maximize efficiency without causing harm or damage to workers, neighbors (human and animal), and the environment. As Agriculture Commissioner I will strive to meet these necessary conditions.

Ronnie Ansley
Candidate for NC Commissioner of Agriculture
http://www.ansley4ag.com

Ronnie, I know you may have to run

Please feel free to come back and answer any questions you didn't have time for. You're welcome to stay with us as long as you like, but I know how busy candidates are.

I've enjoyed your answers and like James will be casting my vote for you on the first day of early voting.

***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.

Thank you for having me, I

Thank you for having me, I have enjoyed it. I will be checking the site through out the week and the rest of the campaign. Feel free to post further questions for me and I will try to answer them. This week, I will be traveling the state from Murphy to Manteo (Thursday through Sunday) and visiting with the great citizens of the state. Every night I will blog on BlueNC to tell you about my experiences. In the next week, I will be launching a new fundraising tool on my website through Actblue. Any help that anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated. Also, feel free to stop by my booth at the NC State Fair in the education building. Please visit the website to find out more information about me and the campaign. Please forward our website to everyone on your email list and ask them to vote for Ronnie Ansley for Agriculture Commissioner and to forward our website to everyone they know.

Ronnie Ansley
Candidate for NC Commissioner of Agriculture
http://www.ansley4ag.com

Read my Blog!

Read my blog:

http://bluenc.com/blog/5817

Ronnie Ansley
Candidate for NC Commissioner of Agriculture
http://www.ansley4ag.com

Ronnie Ansley is the Bomb!!!!

He will go alll the way. Marshall said so.

Marshall Adame
2014 U.S. Congress Candidate NC-03

We love you Ronnie! But get the Tax thing right first?

Will somebody tell Ronnie that NC does not have inheritance tax? Or did he provide correct information and reporter erred? NC has estate tax only if federal government has estate tax. Right now, limits are at $2 million * Madame Justice

Year of Death
Exempt Amount

2006, 2007, or 2008
$2 million

2009
$3.5 million

2010
No estate tax

2011
$1 million, unless Congress extends repeal

See chart. I have to agree that Suzanne is right, the NC Supreme Court does no work. They should write and give guidance. Otherwise, they ought to have their salaries chopped in half.

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N.C. Supreme Court, agriculture commissioner candidates visit Rowan
Friday, September 26, 2008 12:32 AM

By Mark Wineka

mwineka@salisburypost.com

N.C. Supreme Court candidate Suzanne Reynolds says the seven-member high court has been shirking its responsibilities in recent years and leaving most of the written opinions to an overworked Court of Appeals.

When the N.C. Supreme Court does hear a case, it often is giving a decision affirming or reversing the appellate court without attaching an opinion. It leaves attorneys for both plaintiffs and defendants scratching their heads over what the law really is, Reynolds told a Rowan County audience Thursday night.

The court's opinions should teach the law, and the court's not writing enough opinions to do that, Reynolds charged.

"The opinions that I'll write need to be written," she said.

Reynolds, a longtime law professor at Wake Forest University, and Ronnie Ansley, Democratic nominee for N.C. agriculture commissioner, were guest speakers at the monthly meeting in Salisbury of the Rowan County Democratic Party.

Ansley, who just launched a 100-hour statewide tour in which he's trying to reach 25 different counties, delivered a strong message for moving bio-fuels production to a level beyond corn and soybeans and improving food safety within the state.

The Nov. 4 ballot in North Carolina has only one race for the N.C. Supreme Court. It's a non-partisan race, and Reynolds is seeking the seat held by Justice Robert Edmunds. Justices serve eight-year terms.

A Davidson County native, Reynolds practiced in civil litigation in Greensboro but has spent most of her career teaching at Wake Forest, where she also earned her law degree.

She has never been a judge, Reynolds said, but teaching the law often has been a bridge to positions on the higher courts. Her three-volume work on family law in North Carolina has become the authoritative source for lawyers and judges in the state, Reynolds said.

She also has drafted statutes that modernized the law of both alimony and adoption, besides co-founding a nationally recognized domestic violence program that provided legal assistance to the poor.

Reynolds said that while she has never been a judge, she writes more law in a week than the present Supreme Court has written in a year.

"The court I'm seeking to join just hasn't done its job," she said.

Reynolds has a bachelor's degree from Meredith College, a master's in English and journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a law degree from Wake Forest.

She has taught more than 2,000 lawyers over her 27 years at the university.

Last year, the N.C. Supreme Court wrote only 32 opinions — less than five per justice.

Over the same period, the N.C. Court of Appeals wrote some 1,700 opinions or more than 100 per justice, Reynolds said.

Where the Supreme Court has been most silent or unclear has been in family law, her area of expertise, she said. Family law is an area in which most of the conflicting opinions are coming from the lower court, she added.

Reynolds said she is troubled by research suggesting that 30 percent of the North Carolinians who cast ballots Nov. 4 won't vote in the judicial races. If she were elected, it would give the court a majority of women for the first time in its history.

In the N.C. Voter Guide, Edmunds of Greensboro says he's the only candidate in his race who has been a judge, a partner in a law firm, a board-certified specialist, has an advanced law degree and has served in the military.

Ansley, the candidate for agriculture commissioner, likes to give audiences the answer to his own "Jeopardy" type of question first. "Naked and hungry" would be he answer to, "Where would you be without agriculture?" he said.

Ansley has an undergraduate degree in agriculture education from N.C. State University and a master's degree in agriculture education from Clemson University. He earned a law degree from the Mississippi School of Law in 1991 and serves as president of the National Future Farmers of America Alumni Association.

Ansley speaks of using agriculture to grow the state's economy, address rising fuel costs, make food costs affordable and make North Carolina the No. 1 state in biofuels.

He said the state can develop renewable, sustainable green energy sources for fuel production and make North Carolina energy-independent, while lowering fuel costs. And it can be done without using corn and soybeans, which should be fed to people and animals, he said.

Republican Steve Troxler is seeking re-election as agriculture commissioner.

On food safety, Ansley said products should show the state and country of origin with bar codes to say what farms they came from.

Ansley said he would work with the Legislature to place a moratorium on the inheritance tax so family farms could stay on the land.

"Don't put American farmers out of business because they can't pay the inheritance tax," Ansley said.

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