The Full Scope of the Department
The Georgia Department of Agriculture oversees consumer protection, animal health, market development, and regulatory oversight across our state's $78 billion agricultural economy. Katherine's platform addresses every responsibility — protecting families, supporting farmers, and maintaining the standards Georgians depend on.
Georgia's Agricultural Economy
Agriculture is Georgia's leading industry, generating over $78 billion in annual economic impact. As Commissioner, Katherine will support policies that strengthen economic growth, supply chains, rural prosperity, and create conditions for agricultural businesses to thrive. The Department of Agriculture must operate with the same strategic vision as the industry it serves.
Farmers & Producers
Georgia's 50,000+ farms — growing row crops, specialty crops, livestock, poultry, and timber — are the backbone of our economy. Katherine will support expanded market access, address rising input costs, invest in infrastructure, and develop programs that support generational transition so that farming remains viable for the next generation of Georgia families.
Forestry & Timber
Georgia leads the nation in timber production, and our forestry sector is an essential economic driver for rural communities. Katherine will support sustainable forestry markets, strengthen conservation partnerships, improve wildfire coordination with state and federal agencies, and protect forestry jobs that support families across the state.
Agribusiness & Trade
Strong local markets. Global reach. Katherine will support trade missions, strengthen international market relationships, grow the Georgia Grown brand, and support value-added production that keeps more economic value in our state. Georgia products belong on tables around the world.
Expanding Markets at Every Level
Strong agriculture means strong markets — from local to global. Katherine will support local supply chains through farm-to-school programs, regional food hubs, and institutional procurement while strengthening international trade relationships across global markets. This is economic growth at every level for Georgia producers.
Animal Health & Biosecurity
From avian influenza preparedness to chronic wasting disease monitoring, the Commissioner of Agriculture plays an essential role in protecting Georgia's livestock and poultry industries. Katherine will strengthen veterinary coordination, support emergency response systems, and maintain biosecurity readiness — protecting both animal welfare and the billions in economic value at stake.
Consumer Protection & Regulatory Integrity
Georgians deserve trust in the marketplace. Katherine will uphold the highest standards of consumer protection — gas pump accuracy, fuel quality standards, scale inspections, pesticide oversight, and fair market enforcement — because trust is the foundation of commerce.
Agricultural Infrastructure & Innovation
Georgia's agricultural future depends on modern infrastructure and expanded research capacity. Katherine will support cold storage and meat processing expansion, improved rural logistics, broadband access for precision agriculture, and strengthened university research partnerships with UGA and Fort Valley State University. She will work to expand agricultural research access statewide, strengthen institutional capacity across Georgia, and broaden opportunity for students in rural regions through expanded cooperative extension programming and regional agricultural innovation hubs.
Land & Property Protection
Working farmland is Georgia's most valuable agricultural asset. Katherine will protect productive agricultural land through voluntary conservation incentives, support generational farm transitions, and uphold property rights.
Preparedness & Resilience
Georgia agriculture faces weather volatility and natural disaster risk. The Department must be prepared to coordinate recovery efforts, support producers navigating federal relief programs, and strengthen long-term resilience planning.
Workforce & Youth Agriculture
The future of Georgia agriculture depends on the next generation. Katherine will strengthen FFA and 4-H programs, build technical college partnerships, develop workforce pipelines, and support farm succession planning to create clear paths forward in agriculture.
Food Systems
Georgia's food system — from production through processing, distribution, and access — is a critical pillar of our agricultural economy. Katherine will work to strengthen every link in this chain, ensuring that Georgia-grown food reaches Georgia families while creating economic opportunity for producers and processors throughout the state.
Our Approach
Agriculture shapes who we are as a state — our economy, our communities, and our future. This campaign reflects the full scope of what the Department of Agriculture does and the responsibility to serve Georgia families and farmers with competence and care. The goal is simple: strong markets, trusted oversight, and service that protects consumers while supporting producers.
Georgia agriculture built this state.
Our farmers face new pressures and global competition.
With modern leadership, strategic investment, and strong markets at every level, Georgia can lead the nation in agricultural innovation, export growth, and rural prosperity.
Georgia agriculture powers our economy, our communities, and our global reach. As Commissioner, Katherine E. Juhan-Arnold will serve with care and competence — strengthening markets, supporting producers, protecting consumers, and preparing Georgia's agricultural economy for the future.