FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 9, 2026
CONTACT: Detrick Manning, media@blandingforsc.com
DeShawn L. Blanding Announces Campaign for
South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture
Sixth-generation farmer and national agriculture leader launches campaign to strengthen South Carolina’s food supply; support family farms; and grow next generation of producers.
MANNING, SC — Today, DeShawn L. Blanding, announced his campaign for South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture.
The sixth-generation emerging farmer and agriculture leader will be launching this statewide effort centered on strengthening South Carolina’s agricultural economy and local food supply through four key priorities.
“As a sixth-generation son of rural South Carolina, agriculture is more than an industry to me; it’s family, heritage, and future,” Blanding said. “This campaign isn’t just about one candidate. It’s about all of us, honoring what built us while doing the work to build what comes next.”
Blanding announced his campaign after speaking to his local Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter at Manning High School, where his agricultural leadership journey began as the chapter’s youngest president. He served in leadership roles in both the SC state and National FFA organizations, leading over 650,000 FFA members nationwide and becoming the first South Carolinian in over 50 years to be elected National FFA Officer.
Blanding brings a blend of lived experience and national leadership to the race having worked with both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate Agriculture Committees and founding agriculture advocacy firm, AgQuity Solutions. He works daily to advance policies that support a healthy, sustainable, just food and farming system.
Blanding’s campaign will begin traveling across South Carolina in the coming weeks to meet with farmers, producers, agricultural educators, and rural community leaders.
“Our farmers, foresters, and fishers feed our communities, steward our land, and power our local economies,” Blanding said. “They deserve leadership that understands where we come from and has a clear vision for where we’re going. I believe the future of South Carolina agriculture is strong if we work together. Let’s honor what built us, and build what comes next.”
You can learn more about DeShawn Blanding’s campaign at blandingforsc.com.
