Tyler Harper

The challenges facing many Georgia families are not lost on me. 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. That is why I’m fighting every day for a better Georgia.

SECURE TRADE DEALS THAT PUT GEORGIA FARMERS FIRST

INVEST IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF GEORGIA AGRICULTURE

EXPAND RURAL BROADBAND & EMPOWER GEORGIA GROWERS

As agribusiness technology continues to advance – and as Georgia producers continue to expand to the global market – Georgia’s farmers will need critical infrastructure like rural broadband and high-speed connectivity to remain competitive. As Commissioner, Tyler Harper will recommit the state of Georgia to expanding our state’s internet to even the most remote communities – from Bainbridge to Blue Ridge. By partnering with the private sector, securing federal funding, and taking advantage of existing infrastructure, Tyler will ensure that every Georgia farmer has access to the online tools that improve productivity and increase output.

As a 7th generation farmer - who still uses his grandfather’s old tractor in the field - Tyler Harper understands the challenges that thousands of local- and family-owned farms face every day across our state. For Tyler, Georgia’s agricultural industry is not just an afterthought or a talking point - it’s been his entire livelihood since he was a young man, and he’s been fighting for Georgia’s farmers ever since. As Commissioner, Tyler will continue his work by pursuing a farmers-first agenda that prioritizes new funding and additional support for farms and agribusiness alike. He will expand the successful GEORGIA GROWN program – to increase community-based consumption and put more Georgia products on more shelves across the country. Tyler will work to ensure all of our state’s commodities—from timber to fruits and vegetables to traditional row crops, livestock, and poultry, as well as urban agricultural products—continue to thrive. He will fight overreaching, burdensome federal regulations like the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule. And most importantly, he will fight every day to champion, protect, and advance Georgia’s number one industry.

Better earnings for our farmers starts with a level playing field, which is exactly why Tyler Harper will emphasize as Agriculture Commissioner. He will work to eliminate unfair trade deals that put producers in Mexico and China ahead of producers in the United States. Georgia producers should never be subject to unfair federal regulation, or unfair tariffs and embargoes. Instead, Tyler will work with federal, private sector and non-profit partners to advocate on behalf of Georgia growers – and ensure truly free markets where Georgia’s farmers are competitive on a global scale.

Food security is a national security issue, and Tyler will work around the clock to ensure our meat, produce, and food supply in Georgia meets the highest quality and health standards. As Agriculture Commissioner, he will strengthen safety protocols and best practices, disseminate active and timely communications, and mitigate any potential issue in real time.

The greatest investment Georgia can make is in the next generation of agricultural leaders, technologies, and partnerships to continue expanding our state’s number one industry. As Commissioner, Tyler Harper will partner with schools and institutions of higher learning across the state to ensure that a cutting-edge, world-class agricultural education is available to students who want to learn the trade. In a climate of ever-changing technology, Georgia must also identify and cultivate emerging technologies and techniques that put Georgia farmers ahead of the curve. As Commissioner, Tyler will take the future of Georgia agriculture to the next level and keep Georgia farmers competitive and successful for generations to come.

CHAMPION LOCAL AND FAMILY FARMERS

Expand Georgia Grown and provide additional support to local farms and agribusinesses.

• Increase local consumption.
• Put more Georgia products on store shelves.

Oppose federal regulations the candidate views as unnecessarily burdening Georgia agriculture, including the WOTUS rule.

• Protect state producers from avoidable compliance costs.

Oppose unfair trade deals, tariffs, and embargoes and advocate for competitive global markets for Georgia producers.

• Put domestic farmers on a level playing field.
• Coordinate with federal and private-sector partners.

Strengthen food-safety protocols, best practices, and timely public communication.

• Protect meat, produce, and the wider food supply.
• Respond rapidly to emerging risks.

Partner with schools and higher-education institutions to expand high-quality agricultural education.

• Prepare the next generation of agricultural workers and leaders.

Identify and cultivate emerging technologies and techniques that keep Georgia farmers competitive.

• Support productivity and responsible innovation.

Cut red tape and coordinate with federal partners to deliver disaster relief to farmers quickly.

• Reduce delays after crop and livestock losses.

Expand rural broadband through private-sector partnerships, federal funding, and existing infrastructure.

• Reach remote communities.
• Give farmers access to modern production and market tools.

Support the continued success of Georgia's timber, produce, row-crop, livestock, poultry, and urban-agriculture sectors.

• Apply the department's support across diverse producers.

Treat a safe, reliable Georgia food supply as essential to public and national security.

• Center preparedness, quality standards, and rapid response.