Incumbent agriculture commissioner faces Democratic challenger

By Chelsea Madden

The Georgia agriculture commissioner seat is up for election on the Nov. 3 ballot. The incumbent, Tyler J. Harper (R), is running against Katherine Juhan-Arnold (D). The position is a four-year executive role in the Georgia Department of Agriculture with no term limit. 

The agriculture commissioner regulates and supports the state’s agriculture industry by monitoring safety in food and agriculture products. The commissioner is also responsible for marketing and promoting Georgia’s agriculture while overseeing agricultural programs.

Republican nominee Tyler J. Harper 

Harper is Georgia’s 17th agriculture commissioner and has served since 2023. He is a seventh-generation farmer and small-business owner. He lives in Ocilla and graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture engineering. He also has an associate’s degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He was a state senator for District 7 from 2003-13, serving on the natural resources, public safety and agriculture committees.

“The challenges facing many Georgia families are not lost on me,” Harper says on his website. “I buy my own groceries, I pump my own gas, and I put my boots on one at a time in the morning just like the 400,000 other Georgians who work in our state’s #1 industry.”

His website notes expanding rural broadband access for farmers is a key goal for Harper.

“Georgia’s farmers will need critical infrastructure like rural broadband and high-speed connectivity to remain competitive,” his website says.

Harper’s website does not disclose his position on data centers.

His issues and initiatives: 

• Prioritizing local and family farmers
• Advocating on behalf of Georgia growers and secure trade deals that puts Georgia farmers first
• Strengthening food safety and security programs
• Delivering funding to farmers when disaster strikes
• Investing in the next generation of Georgia farmers.

Democratic nominee Katherine Juhan-Arnold

Juhan-Arnold grew up in Georgia and is the founder of Baby Katie’s Pharm & Kitchen, a Snellville nonprofit that connects farmers with markets and families with food. She has said she experienced living through hard times with her family and seeing the struggle of access to food and market fairness.

“Katherine understands that agriculture isn’t just about farmers — it’s about families,” her website says. “It’s about making sure food is safe, markets are fair, and rural communities have the support they need to thrive.”

Juhan-Arnold’s campaign website notes her apprehension about data centers, a growing hot-button issue in Georgia. She says she will have “Agricultural Resource Impact Screens” for large developments and keep a close eye on water use in data centers.

“We can welcome growth—but it has to respect Georgia’s natural resources and the people who depend on them,” her website says.

She has a similar stance on cannabis use, saying she will “stay in her lane” but be prepared to enforce clear regulations for marijuana.

Her issues and initiatives:

• Strengthening food access
• Protecting consumers
• Supporting farmers
• Maintaining oversight and ensuring market integrity.