James Jan-Feb 2024 web - Flipbook - Page 57
Agriculture has always been
a critical piece of Georgia’s
economy and culture. Consider that there are more than
40,000 farms across the state,
comprising nearly 10 million
acres— more than 25 percent
of the state’s land. More than 60
percent of Georgia’s farms are
between 10 and 180 acres and
only 5 percent are more than
1,000 acres. Consider, too, that
the industry generates more
than $70 billion in output and
more than 350,000 people are
employed by it.
Sitting somewhat atop this
network of farms, agribusiness and
markets is Georgia’s Commissioner
of Agriculture Tyler Harper. Harper,
a farmer himself, is the state’s 17th
agriculture commissioner but just
the third since 1969. That’s the year
Tommy Irvin was elected, and he
served until 2011 when he was succeeded by Gary Black. When Black
declared for a Senate campaign in
2022, since Georgia does not allow
candidates to run for two offices at
once, Harper ran and won.
Harper, a former state senator, is
familiar with both the process and
the people at the Gold Dome. Much
of his role is administrative, running
department programs and regulating
numerous areas that may be a surprise such as grocery stores, bottling
plants, pet dealers, gasoline quality,
pesticides and farmers markets. He
and the department also monitor
One commodity stands out
and advocate particular legislation
above all: the “king” of Georgia agrithat could benefit farmers and comculture is the chicken. Broilers communities across Georgia.
prise about 25 percent of the state’s
“We’ll be watching several
total agricultural output, about $3
issues and supporting legislation
billion. The drop to second is significant, cotton is the next most at about that relates to both strengthening
Georgia’s agriculture industry and
six percent of output and valued at
around $730 million. Although being better enabling the Department to
the country’s largest peanut produc- carry out our mission of supporting
our state’s farmers and producers
er, peanuts are just Georgia’s third
and protecting Georgia consumers,”
biggest product with a $678 million
value and 5.5 percent of the state to- Harper tells James.
Among several issues that are
tal. Beef is fourth, followed by timber
cropping up here and around the
to round out the top five.
country is the issue of foreign-owned
agricultural land. Most foreign-owned
land is in the hands of Canadian or
European energy companies building
wind or solar farms, but there are
nearly 400,000 acres held by Chinese
investors— a number that is causing
concern among some officeholders.
Harper says he is in favor of legislation that would place some restrictions on ownership. (Publisher’s
note: More on this topic in a separate
column by Harper on page 71.)
Harper also notes that his
agency would like stronger legislation around hemp and hemp-derived products, specifically product
labeling to ensure consumers know
what they are getting. He will also
be hoping for additional funding for
promoting and protecting Georgia
farmers and increasing salaries for
department employees to keep pace
with neighboring states and federal
agencies.
DAY-TO-DAY WORK
Asked what he is most proud of,
the commissioner notes the day-today work of his office.
“We’ve accomplished a great
deal in our first year, but I am most
proud of the work our team at the
department does every single day
to promote Georgia agriculture and
protect Georgia consumers,” said
Harper. “Just in 2023, our team has
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