Georgia’s newly elected Agriculture Commissioner, Katherine Juhan-Arnold, will bring a background in farming, community agriculture, food education and infrastructure management to the state agency responsible for overseeing Georgia’s largest industry.

Juhan-Arnold, a Democrat, defeated incumbent Republican Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper in Tuesday’s general election, receiving approximately 54 percent of the vote to Harper’s 46 percent, according to unofficial election returns.

Juhan-Arnold describes herself as an eighth-generation Georgian who comes from a long line of farmers. She has also identified herself as a farmer, with agricultural experience that includes growing produce, working with community food programs and helping families learn to grow their own food.

Her farming background includes operating a two-acre growing operation in Deepstep, Georgia, where she cultivated and distributed fresh produce. Her work has also included residential gardening in Snellville and efforts to expand access to locally grown food.

Juhan-Arnold founded Baby Katie’s Pharm & Kitchen, an agricultural initiative focused on food access, gardening education and community involvement. Her work through the organization has included teaching gardens, seed exchanges, food preservation education and programs designed to help families become more self-sufficient in producing food.

Her agricultural training has included participation in the University of Georgia Extension’s Journeyman Farmers Program, which provides education for beginning farmers.

In addition to her agricultural work, Juhan-Arnold has experience in infrastructure, information technology and construction management. She has emphasized the importance of using that background to improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

During the campaign, she discussed the financial pressures facing farmers, including rising costs for fuel, equipment, fertilizer, labor and other agricultural necessities. She also advocated clearer communication between the department and producers regarding regulations, inspections, grants and disaster assistance.

Juhan-Arnold will succeed Harper, a seventh-generation farmer from South Georgia who was elected Agriculture Commissioner in 2022 after serving in the Georgia Senate.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture oversees a wide range of responsibilities, including food safety, animal health, plant protection, agricultural marketing and consumer protection.

Juhan-Arnold will take office in January, becoming the state’s next Agriculture Commissioner.