James Field Jr. is juicing up his campaign going into the final weeks of his run for Pinecrest Council Seat 1. He’s bringing in hundreds of cases of free Florida-grown watermelon juice to share with local residents outside one of his favorite spots in town – the Wayside Market in the heart of Pinecrest at SW 100 St. and Red Road. As residents line up at the Tsamma Juice Van to sample the latest in cold-pressed fruit juice, Field is hoping they line up to press the flesh with the candidate as well – all while supporting local businesses.
“Everybody wins,” says Field, director of business development for Frey Farms, one of the country’s largest agriculture companies and the nation’s largest grower of water melon, pumpkins, and the like. The give-away is set for Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This juicy media event is part and parcel of what Field refers to as his traditional “what’s-old-is- new-again approach” to campaigning, which seems to be working well for him as he nears Election Day, Nov. 8.
Field is also making sure he patronizes his favorite eateries and other businesses in town, traditional spots like Roasters & Toasters, where people come up to wish him good luck, sign an endorsement card, or simply chat about issues. His “all-Americana” campaign even took him up to Marlins Park, where he dug into the rubber to throw the first pitch at the Sept. 5 game against the Phillies.
“We’re definitely taking some pages out of the Dante Fascell play book,” quips Field, referring to the late 19-term Florida congressman’s fabled approach to campaigning by handing out free hot dogs at picnics and waving at voters from the same street corner day after day. “So likewise, we’re standing out at Pinecrest’s busiest street corners every morning, waving at commuters, but we’re also knocking on doors at literally thousands of homes across the Village.” “It’s been exciting, going door-to-door,” he said, “especially when you get a good conversation going, strike a rapport, and the homeowner takes a sign – it’s a jolt.”
Since mid-August, Field and his volunteer crew have been working the streets, “with a lofty but achievable goal of personally meeting every single resident in the Village,” he added. The problem is – well, call it a refreshing challenge – the Field family name is so well known in Pinecrest he’s spending an inordinate amount of time at each stop reminiscing with old acquaintances. With four generations of family living in the area, everywhere he goes, folks seem to know of one Field or another. “They went to school with one of us or they know my grandmother, then they invite me in to chat for 45 minutes or so – and then they offer dinner… “I’ve got so many homes left to visit, but everywhere I go it’s like ‘old-home week’.” Not a bad problem to have for a small-town candidate. And that’s the very thing about the Village he’s running to serve and protect.
“Pinecrest has an amazing family-oriented hometown feel.” While growing up in Pinecrest, Field had a great sense of warmth and security, he says, “wandering through the Village without a care in the world. As a council member, I’d like to ensure that my childhood memories of Pinecrest remain a reality where we can always feel safe in our homes, walk peacefully to our neighborhood stores and schools, and where development doesn’t overtake our beautiful streets.”
Field attended Gulliver Preparatory School and played division-one college golf before turning pro and finishing school at UM. After graduation, he traveled the world as a professional golfer before setting his sights on a different kind of goal – developing his business acumen and philanthropic contributions.
“With these goals in mind, he joined the management team of Frey Farms and in the process is helping create jobs and bring new lines of business to the farming communities in rural Florida. He also fought for legislation to keep fresh Florida produce in public schools nationwide. Simultaneously, he founded Dogmadik, a supply-chain management company providing services to emerging restaurant brands.Now, with experience in Florida business, agriculture, and politics, Field wants to bring home his unique set of skills that he says are “necessary and vital” to protecting the heritage and beauty of his hometown.
“Having witnessed the political process first-hand while advocating for agriculture and farming, I want to apply my efforts and talents closer to home, here in Pinecrest.”
For information call 305-239-0016, send e-mail to James@jamesfieldjr.com, visit online at
