Honorees Recognized for their Support of the South Carolina Agriculture Industry
South Carolina Department of Agriculture
Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner
Media Contact: Ronnie Summers, 803-268-2481, rsummers@agsouthfc.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 10, 2015
Honorees Recognized for their Support of the South Carolina Agriculture Industry
WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Advocates for Agriculture held its eighth annual Advocates of the Year Recognition Reception on July 30 to honor two individuals who have shown outstanding commitment to supporting and promoting the state’s agriculture industry. Senator Nikki G. Setzler and Charles A. Wingard each received the 2015 Advocate of the Year award.
Senator Setzler has been working diligently to grow the state’s economy since he started his career in law during the 1970s. He has served in the South Carolina Senate since 1977, representing Aiken, Calhoun, Lexington, and Saluda counties. Senator Setzler received the public sector award for his advocacy efforts while in the Senate. He serves on several legislative committees, including finance and education.
Charles Wingard, Vice-President of Field Operations at WP Rawl Inc., received the private sector award. He oversees vegetable production on approximately 4,000 acres of farmland in South Carolina, Florida and Mississippi and assists contract growers in six states. He is one of nine family members actively involved in day to day operations. His family is active in many groups that promote the agricultural and produce industries, such as United Fresh Produce Association, Farm Bureau, Harvest Hope Food Bank, National FFA Organization, and more.
South Carolina Advocates for Agriculture was created in 2005 to assist in marketing and promotion of the State’s agriculture products and the overall agriculture industry. For more information regarding SC Advocates for Agriculture, visit scadvocates4ag.org.