dkanfer@cfl.rr.com

Don Kanfer lives in the unincorporated area of DeLand with his wife of 22 years, Claudia, and their two daughters.

Kanfer is a practicing large-animal veterinarian. He received a bachelor's degree in agriculture from the University of Nevada, and a doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Parma in Italy.

He is an incumbent supervisor of the Volusia Soil and Water Conservation District.

A charter member and past president of the Four Townes-Orange City Rotary Club, Kanfer has also served as district governor for Rotary International. He is a member of the Florida Veterinary Medical Association, the Volusia County Veterinary Medical Society (also past president), the American Veterinary Medical Associates, and the Chamber of Commerce of West Volusia; and is chairman of the executive committee for the Volusia-Flagler Sierra Club; and previously served on the board of directors of the American Heart Association.

He enjoys riding and restoring antique motorcycles and bicycles in his spare time.

Choose whether you agree or disagree on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being "Strongly Agree" and 1 being "Strongly Disagree." Add a 1 sentence comment to clarify your stance with the readers.

Keeping Volusia County farmers profitable as a growth management tool:

5 — Comment: Maintaining our agricultural lands profitable and productive keeps them from being sold for development and more sprawl.

A top priority should be getting county funding restored:

3 — Comment: This is a difficult area:obtaining funding is now our top priority but the statutory responsability for our funding is by the state and department of agriculture, not the county, whose budgetary challenges make them an unlikely source in the future.

More tax credits and less regulation as the best way to help local farmers:

3 — Comment: Again, a tricky question: while less taxes and regulation are always welcome as a stimulus for farm businesses, the best way may also involve eliminating zoning obstacles to new and novel niche farming and agriturism.

The Soil & Water District can do more to educate people about conservation:

5 — Comment: Absolutely; education is one of our more important stated missions and involves not only farmers and school-aged groups but also homeowners and builders in areas such as low-impact development and flood plain protection.

Accomplishment of which you are most proud of: my two daughters

Public service goal yet to achieve: make a real difference in conserving and preserving our natural Florida habitats and environment from overdevelopment and degradation

— info@beacononlinenews.com