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Caw Caw Creek Pastured Pork is located near St. Matthews, SC, in the Edisto River watershed. The 90 acre farm is a mix of hardwoods and fields, in the sparsely inhabited and beautiful Calhoun County. We chatted with proprietor Emile DeFelice whose mission is to provide you the most delicious pork you have ever tasted and to conserve heirloom pigs in an authentic sustainable environment. His personal commitment to local food even led him to campaign for SC Agriculture Commissioner with the slogan “put your state on your plate.”

Tell us about the history of Caw Caw Creek and your pigs?
After years growing produce, I realized that my personal strengths and farming resources were more suited to livestock, and I chose the pig because of unique qualities that I brought to the table that allow me to produce an exceptional product.

Why did you decide to raise your pigs on pasture?
Running with the tail wind of nature makes economic sense, grows a better animal, is environmentally sound, and provides a higher quality life for me and my children.

Tell us about your run for SC Agriculture Commissioner.
After realizing that our incumbent commissioner was doing less than he could and should do for South Carolina agriculture, I decided to take personal responsibility for improving his policies, so I ran for office. I had no illusions about winning the race, but I was able to get my message out while campaigning.

What was it like working with the Obama campaign’s Agriculture Policy Committee? Do you see yourself becoming more involved in agricultural politics?
Working on Senator Obama’s Agriculture Policy Committee during his presidential campaign was one of the most educational experiences I’ve ever had, and gave me a much broader appreciation for national and international agriculture policy. I am a businessman and dad mostly, and I’m not interested in a political career for the sake of being a politician — but I will stand up and fight for what and who I believe in whenever necessary, as I did before.

What advice do you have for a young person interested in farming?
Get cracking. Start small. Operate lean and mean. Offer a great product that markets itself. Derive that product from your ‘constellation of opportunity’ and do not project your farm fantasy onto reality. Do not assume that other farmers are eager to teach you — read, go on farm tours, and mostly do the work yourself.

What is the best way to purchase your pork?
On the internet at www.cawcawcreek.com, or at the All Local Farmers’ Market in Columbia SC, www.stateplate.org.