Georgia’s new Agricultural Commissioner Tyler Harper has joined the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security board of directors. 

Harper won the Agricultural Commissioner’s post handily in November.  The thirty-six-year-old Republican was supported by many of the state’s prominent agricultural organizations, law enforcement organizations and by one of the state’s most prominent Georgia Democrats – former Governor Roy Barnes.

Harper is a 7th generation farmer, small business owner, former State Senator, and the 17th Agriculture Commissioner of the State of Georgia. Tyler lives in Ocilla and is a lifelong resident of South Georgia. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering and has an associate’s degree in agriculture from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency coordinates the state’s preparedness, response and recovery efforts to disasters. As part of the Office of the Governor, GEMA/HS operates under the authority of the Emergency Management Act of 1981.