Hello, I'm Abby Kousouris Georgia, statewide reporter for Great Media and Atlanta News First.

Welcome to the Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Debate Series from the studios of Georgia Public Broadcasting.

The 2026 debate series was made possible by grants, the Atlanta Press Club and from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and the Robert Charles Loudermilk Senior Foundation.

This is the debate for candidates running for Georgia.

Commissioner of Agriculture.

We have two journalists who will question the candidates.

Rob Direnzo, Fox News reporter at Fox five, Atlanta.

Tyreke win is a morning news anchor at 41 NBC News in Macon.

I'm going to kick off today's debate asking each of the candidates to introduce themselves and tell viewers why they should be the next Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture.

Candidates will have 60s to introduce themselves and will go in alphabetical order, starting with Tyler Harper.

Well, thank you Abby.

I'm Tyler Harper, a seventh generation farmer and lifelong resident of rural Georgia, and for the last four years have had the honor of serving you as your Commissioner of Agriculture while still running my family farm where we grow peanuts, cotton, timber and beef cattle on our family farm in Irwin County.

I know that what it takes to get food from the fields to your family's table, and I know when families can't afford gas or groceries that our state can't succeed.

That's why I have fought multi-billion dollar food industry mergers, protected farmland, invested in Georgia, grown to promote farm products and put more Georgia grown food in school cafeterias, strengthening our number one industry, all while keeping your families food safe.

I've built relationships around this state and have earned endorsements from leaders of both parties.

I'm Tyler Harper and serving you as your commissioner has been an honor of my life.

I'm asking for your vote this November so I can help.

Continue to serve so families can afford to put food on their table.

And every Georgia farmer can can make a living growing it.

Katherine Juhan-Arnold.

You may now introduce yourself.

Good evening.

My name is Catherine Juhan-Arnold.

I'm a farmer, a mother, a businesswoman, and eighth generation Georgian from a long line of farmers.

For more than a decade, I've worked in Food systems, markets, community development.

I know how to manage complex work.

Clear standards and teams.

This office touches every Georgian, the food we buy, the animals we care for, our land and water, and whether we get what we pay for.

Commissioner Harper made promises tonight.

Voters deserve to hear what those promises delivered.

I will help farmers reach buyers, strengthen food checks, and make this department answer to the people it serves.

When Washington hurts Georgia, I will speak up and use the tools we have to help.

Georgia deserves strong farms, safe food and service for every Georgian.

Let's grow Georgia together.

For the full list of debate rules, please visit Atlanta Press club.org.

Our panel will now ask a question to individual candidates.

We'll start with Rob, who will have a question for Catherine Juhan-Arnold.

Once again, you have 60s for your response.

Miss Juhan-Arnold, if elected, this would be your first time taking public office.

You would be in charge of a massive state regulatory agency.

While tasked with overseeing a multi-billion dollar industry.

How do you convince Georgia's farmers that your experience founding a nonprofit will translate into effective oversight and leadership of this commission?

Well, it's not just my experience founding a nonprofit.

I stored 18 acres of land.

I am a farmer.

And in addition to that, I've also been a systems work for the past 15 years, managing billion dollar budgets, billion dollar infrastructures.

This work is no different.

We need a leader who understands systems, who understands farming, and who understands how we move Georgia forward.

Tyreke next you have a question for Tyler Harper.

Commissioner.

Harper you are asking voters to give you another four years.

What is one measurable outcome in Georgia agriculture that you promised or hope to achieve but have not accomplished it yet?

And why hasn't it happened?

And what specific deadlines should voters hold you to if you are reelected?

Look, when it comes to our work over the last four years as your Commissioner of Agriculture, we have delivered results.

We've protected farmland in our state.

We've worked to ensure that we help help our state succeed by investing in our number one industry.

We've grown our Georgia grown program by putting more food on families tables across the state and putting more Georgia grown products in school systems all over Georgia.

You know, our list of accomplishments is long.

But when you look at where we are in the state of agriculture, you know, we have some challenges that our farmers are facing on the input side.

And on the market side, we have been holding those accountable that have been squeezing our farmers, and we've been opening up new markets for our farmers through our Sis program, through the opportunities we're going to have through sustainable aviation fuel.

But in the middle, our farmers have been squeezed.

We've got to work every single day to continue to hold those accountable, which we have been doing, and continue to open up new markets, which we've also been doing to allow our farmers to continue to succeed.

And I look forward to working with the General Assembly and our and our members and the governor in the next governor to ensure Georgia agriculture can continue to succeed in our in our number one industry and the number one state for business.

Tyreke.

Next, your question for Miss Juhan-Arnold.

Yes, my question is several of your proposals, including regional food hubs, processing infrastructure and expanded support for new farmers could require substantial investment.

So can you tell us how much additional funding do you believe is necessary and where would you seek it?

And what would you do if lawmakers declined to provide it?

Well, the goal is to use what we have.

First, we use what we have first and then add where necessary.

We estimate about $2 million per hub, regional hub and the micro hubs anywhere 150200-75 thousand.

But first, we need to evaluate what we have.

Once we evaluate what we have, then we can go forward and make changes where needed.

Last question of this round, Rob.

You're able to ask a question to Commissioner Harper.

Commissioner Harper, Many of Georgia's rural communities have organized against the prevalence of data centers across the state.

Your commission projects.

By 2040, Georgia will have lost 800,000 acres of farmland.

Do you believe there needs to be any regulatory safeguards to protect this farmland and to stop the prevalence of.

Most definitely.

We have got to protect farmland, which is why we created the Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund to protect farmland in our state.

Not only have we done that to protect farmland for ag purposes, we've ensured that foreign adversaries like China and North Korea and Iran can never buy farmland in our state again.

And I think continuing to protect farmland is critical for the success of our state.

If we don't have land to grow crops, we're not able to succeed as a nation, as a state, because agriculture and food security are national security.

When it comes to data centers, we have to have strong guardrails around them.

We we shouldn't be using eminent domain to take farmland.

And if they do take farmland, they should be helping to fund to protect farmland moving forward should pay for 100% of their utility and investment costs.

And they should never happen in local communities that don't want a data center.

They should.

This should be decided at the local level with local control to ensure local communities know what they're getting and know, know and understand how they can continue to succeed in their part of the state.

And we should also eliminate the tax breaks for data centers and ensure that we continue to protect farmland and communities all across this state.

That concludes our first round.

Each candidate will now ask a question to their opponent.

You'll have 60s to ask the question, 60s to respond, and the person who asked the question will get a 32nd rebuttal.

Tyler Harper.

Please ask a question of Katherine Juhan-Arnold.

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

Abby.

I've been endorsed by a former Democratic governor, Roy Barnes, who is also a cattle farmer and multiple Democrat members of the General Assembly who come from farm country.

Why do you think members of your own party believe I am the best choice and the better choice for farmers and families across our state and in their districts?

I wouldn't be able to answer that.

You would have to ask them.

What I can say is that this office needs to work better for the people it serves.

Your department raises serious questions about food checks, farmers markets vendors have also come to me about concerns and need to get answers.

I will set clear service standards, help producers reach buyers and publish results.

Commissioner voters deserve more than a list of programs and a list of endorsements.

They deserve to know whether the work reaches them.

I'm asking Georgia to choose that kind of leadership.

Commissioner Harper, do you want to respond?

Yes.

Look, I've spent the last four years working across the aisle in a bipartisan manner to deliver common sense results and solutions for our state's number one industry and all of Georgians.

That's the job you elected me to do.

You don't have to take my word for it.

You can look at my record, and you can also look at what Democrat members who have endorsed me have said.

They have said that when they call, I answer, and that there's not another elected official that works as hard as Tyler Harper.

I'm asking for your vote to continue to serve you and continue that great work that we have been doing over the last four years.

Katherine Juhan-Arnold it is now your chance to ask a question of your opponent.

In 2022.

Food businesses inspection coverage was 100% by 2025, your department reported 55%.

You promised safer food and fast recall warnings.

Georgians deserve both.

After nearly four years, why haven't you kept your food safety promises.?

The Department of Agriculture you know, one of the key roles that we play is consumer protection every single day and ensuring that the food supply is safe and secure.

And we've done that in a multitude of different ways.

We've ensured that we are keeping drugs out of produce coming from Mexico by the investments we've made in our law enforcement division, we have ensured that we continue to protect you at the grocery store and at the restaurant, regardless of where your food comes from and ensuring that the food supply chain stays safe and secure.

Because food security is national security and it's your family's security.

When tragedies happen and events happen, our team goes immediately to work in emergency response.

The FIFA is.

FIFA is a perfect example of where we were protecting food suppliers and the food supply chain during that national or world event.

Right here in our own backyard.

But at the same time, we have not declined food inspections.

Matter of fact, we've done anything but increase them at the same time of of having over 30% more of regulated industries with only 12% more people.

We've got to have more resources, more people will work the General Assembly to do that.

But we've been working on that every single day since I've been Commissioner.

Mr.

Juhan-Arnold, would you want to respond?

Yes.

So there has been a 45% drop in inspections in 2025.

Those are the figures that your department gave the state.

If the way you count change, then you owe Georgians a clear explanation, and I will make those numbers easy to understand and track whether the work gets done.

Food safety needs facts.

People can trust, and a department they can count on.

Even with FIFA, international people brought their food in.

They didn't trust our food.

Commissioner Harper, do you want to respond to her response?

I would like to respond to that.

I mean, I think it is a complete mischaracterization of the work that our people do at the department.

I work with over 500 dedicated employees at this agency.

Every single day, an agency that she wants to lead.

And she's criticizing the employees that I work with every single day for the work that they're doing and protecting you and our families all across this state.

I will not stand for that.

And I think that is disqualifying for her to hold this office.

Your food is safe, your food is secure, and we make sure you know about it.

Even with the Cyclospora outbreak that we just recently had, we immediately responded to that to ensure that you knew about that.

Food safety is a priority.

We'll get to the Cyclospora outbreak shortly.

In the program, you're watching the general election debate for Georgia.

Commissioner of agriculture will now go back to the panel, who will ask questions to the candidates of their choice.

Until we run out of time.

Tillery Quinn, we'll start with you.

Yes.

This question is for both of you.

Commissioner Harper, we'll start with you.

Georgia's agricultural industry contributes billions of dollars to the state's economy, yet many families are still struggling with the grocery bills, and farmers face rising costs.

What specific action can the Agriculture Commissioner's Office take to help address the disconnect?

Can you give us a policy that you would implement and explain how it would affect prices.?

When it comes to our families and our farmers across the state, they are struggling, rising grocery prices.

But at the same time, our farmers are getting squeezed.

We've taken direct action in this regard because we have held food companies accountable that are raising prices and squeezing our farmers.

We have worked to hold them accountable to ensure that we keep that.

We work to lower grocery prices and at the same time, allow farmers and farm families to succeed.

We've expanded markets.

Our cooperative interstate shipment program allows more beef producers to access more markets for beef all over the United States.

And we're opening up new opportunities through our Georgia grown markets, giving Georgia farmers direct access to consumers.

You know, we've got a profitability crisis in America and farms right now and food costs.

But if we are able to invest in American agriculture, invest in Georgia farmers, we're able to keep food costs low for Georgia consumers and lower those costs so you can be successful as a family sitting around your table and your kitchen table.

We've got continued work to do, and we look forward to continuing to do that.

As your commissioner.

Rob, it's your turn to ask a question.

Commissioner Harper, this one's for you.

Georgia is an export powerhouse, particularly for poultry, pecans and cotton.

However, the ongoing trade tensions and the threat of a new sweeping tariffs on foreign nations often result in immediate retaliatory tariffs on American agriculture exports.

As a state official, how do you advocate for Georgia's producers, who are often the first casualties of these federal trade wars, especially when your party holds office right now in the White House?

When it comes to fighting for our producers, it's important imperative to have a seat at the table.

And I've worked with both Democratic and Republican administrations in Washington, D.C.

To ensure that our farmers voices are being heard.

You know, when it when it comes to issues like tariffs, we have to ensure that our farmers aren't the ones that are taking the brunt of the bear.

But when you look at issues that we have seen right here at home, we've had over a 550% increase of Mexican grown produce into the United States, undercutting American producers and making your food less safe.

That's a perfect example of where tariffs make sense.

But when it comes to retaliatory tariffs, we've got to ensure that we're addressing that issue.

So our farmers aren't the ones taking the brunt.

Aren't the ones taking the hits.

And we're able to protect America's food supply through viable trade policies.

It is important that we open up new markets around the globe, but have America First policies that allow Georgia farmers to succeed, families to be successful and afford the food that they're putting on their table without undue burden or regulation?

Miss Juhan-Arnold, I have a question for you.

Now.

Um, how would you, in the role as Agriculture Commissioner, work with the federal government to make sure that those grants that are made available would also be brought here to Georgia for our Georgia producers.

The work is already started.

And Georgia for the past decade has already overlooked many grants that could have helped our state.

Uh, a lot of them go overlooked.

Most of them don't even get applied to because they haven't been prioritized.

My goal is to prioritize the grant funding so that we can bring more dollars into the state as a whole.

Um, we have to update our processing.

We have to modernize, and we can't do that without the help of federal funds.

I've already been working with legislation to see what bills we have, see what's already in the works, use what we have, produce what we don't have.

We go back to you with a question.

Thank you.

Abby.

So this question is for both of you.

Miss Juhan-Arnold, we'll start with you.

So I'm 26 and part of Gen Z and many people around my age group.

They're dealing with the cost of housing, student loans, and trying to establish themselves financially.

So if a young Georgian wanted to become a farmer today, but they inherit land or did not have access to family wealth, what realistic path would your administration create to help that person enter the industry?

Georgia already has great programs for our up and coming beginning farmers.

The Georgia Extension Office.

I actually started my farming journey through the Journeyman Farmers Program through UGA's extension office.

It's funding programs like that, making sure we have people who are in there to teach us great things is the type of.

Is the type of investment we need to make into Georgia.

So I would fund those programs, make sure that they have what they need, and talk to our young farmers, engage with them.

Every chance I get because I started as a beginning farmer, I did not inherit land.

I did not inherit wealth.

I did this picking up my bootstraps from the ground up.

Commissioner Harper, your chance to respond to Tyreke's question.

95% of the farms in our state are family owned operations and passed on from generation to generation.

But we also know that individuals want to get involved in this industry who may not come from an agricultural background, that may not have that opportunity to have that generational operation passed on to them, which is why the department we focus on every single day, ensuring that every individual that wants to grow something in our state has the resources and the capability to do that.

That's why we've reached out to communities all across this state, including our work at the Atlanta United Center just recently, where we met with minority individuals who were interested in getting involved in agriculture.

That's why we work with the new Black Wall Street and held an event for for individuals that are interested, new farmers and beginning farmers.

As a matter of fact, out of that event, we were able to help farm, help new farmers get started in our state.

We have invested in this work through our Georgia grown program, through all of the work we do at the agency, working with working with the University of Georgia and Fort Valley State and others.

And we can continue that work working with ag ed to ensure beginning farmers have access to be able to succeed in our state.

Rob, Next, we go to you with a question, either to one of the candidates or to both.

All right.

This question is for Miss Juhan-Arnold.

I want to ask you about data centers.

You have this as part of your campaign platform as agriculture resource impact screens, to implement those across the state.

I'm curious what you make of Commissioner Harper's response and position on data centers and what could be at stake if he is successful in achieving reelection in November.

I am happy to finally hear a position come from the current office.

Farms need dependable water before large projects are approved.

The public should see how its water needs the effects on nearby farms.

Wells, drought plans.

That's what I talk about in my agricultural review.

We haven't had that yet.

Um, I will bring those farm impact impact issues and address them and make sure that we know how new infrastructure, not just data centers, but new developments across the board are affecting our farmers.

This office should give farmers a voice before a decision is made.

While there is still time to change, it.

Commissioner Harper, in that same vein, are you working with the Georgia General Assembly to try to create some guardrails on what water usage looks like going forward, and what would you like to see accomplished this next legislative session?

You know, when it comes to water policy, that's something I've been involved in my entire, uh, the entirety of my ability to be in public office when it comes to our service in the state Senate.

I chaired the Natural Resources Committee.

And water.

Water is a critical resource.

It's something that we have to take very seriously in our state, which is why we've worked day in and day out to address the issues.

When it comes to the Flint River basin in the southeastern part of our state, to ensure that farmers have access to water to grow crops, but also that that communities all across Georgia, from Atlanta to Savannah to Macon to Columbus have access to high quality water as well.

I look forward to continuing to work with the General Assembly to ensure that we have tight guardrails on any industrial development that threatens our state's resources to ensure that they pay 100% of those costs and ensure that local communities that don't want them, don't get them.

I think we need to ensure that we give the local communities the ability to have that level of local control, and at the end of the day, you know, my opponent is helping get them going, working in the industry.

I'm working to fight them every single day.

Tyreke, do you have a question for either one of the candidates or both?

Yes, Commissioner Harper this is for you.

If elected at the end of your term, what is one measurable improvement that you want every Georgian to be able to point to and say, my Agriculture Commissioner delivered this.

Can you give us a specific target and explain how the public can verify whether you achieve that?

I think most Georgians don't really understand the complete role of the Department of Agriculture and what it does.

The department impacts your life every single day, from the scale at the grocery store to the scales at Dr.

Houry stores to even weigh in the lottery balls.

We have a responsibility as an agency to ensure that consumers are protected and farmers can succeed.

At the same time, when you look at what we have done over the last four years, we've ensured that our number one industry continues to be successful, that consumers are protected.

Our food supply stays strong, and over the next four years, we're going to put what we have done in delivering for you to work to ensure that our food supply stays safe and strong, that when you send your kids to school, you can have confidence in the products that are being served to them in cafeterias.

And matter of fact, the work that we've done by growing more Georgia grown product in our school systems as well, and that our farm families can continue to be successful in our state and allow them to do what they do best in providing the food, the fiber, the shelter.

We rely on every single day.

I have a question for for both of you guys, and I'll start with Commissioner Harper.

When it came to the Cyclospora outbreak, you had people who were afraid to eat salads for for a long period of time, even some who might still be staying away from any type of, um, bagged salad kit.

So how do we rebuild trust from the public and make them able to access those types of things and feel confident in it?

Um, how would you maybe have worked with the federal government to, to do things differently?

Commissioner Harper and then Mr.

Juhan-Arnold the question to you would be, um, what did you take away from that response, both at the state and federal level?

But my first question is for Commissioner Harper.

When it comes to the Cyclospora outbreak, our department immediately reacted to ensure Georgians knew that there was a food safety concern so they could be aware of that as they were shopping for groceries at the grocery store.

At the end of the day, we as an agency have a responsibility ensuring that the food supply in our state is safe.

But it also means we've got to work with our federal partners in doing that as well.

Cyclospora come in on imported product here in our state.

It was not Georgia grown product, and I think that's the important distinction here is we've got to ensure if you're buying Georgia grown, you can have confidence in your food supply.

Commissioner.

Harper Mitte Juhan-Arnold.

Uh, food checks and public warnings are basic duties, and I'll track the checks that are overdue, address staffing gaps and make sure that failed checks get a follow up.

So when a recall affects Georgia, people need a clear warning.

You need to know what product, what danger, and what it could do.

Um, immediate response and to say that it wasn't tied to Georgia is false.

That's all that we have time for.

For questions the candidates will now have 60s for a closing statement.

Katherine Juhan-Arnold, let's start with you.

Thank you.

Um, my I Georgia at the end of the day, I want people to know that promises were made to Georgia.

Georgia deserves results.

I will lead the work for this department so that we have strong farms, safe food service for every Georgian.

A farmer should get a call back.

A food warning should reach people fast.

A market should help growers sell.

Public money should come with clear results.

That is the work that I will lead.

I will strengthen food checks.

I will work with anyone who helps Georgia and stand up to anyone whose policy has hurt us.

Early voting is underway.

I'm asking you to replace Tyler Harper and elect me as your Commissioner of Agriculture.

Let's grow Georgia together.

Commissioner Harper.

First, I want to say thank you to the Atlanta Press Club, to Abby, Rob, Tyreke, thank you all for an opportunity to speak directly to the voters.

You may not think of the Department of Agriculture every day, but the work we do impacts every Georgian, every single day, from the gas in your car to groceries in your in your grocery cart, to our farm families that feed us.

And I have taken on that challenge and challenge corporations that have increased cost for you, that have squeezed our family farms.

We have protected our farmland.

We've protected our food supply.

We've expanded opportunities.

And I have the experience, the background, and the knowledge to continue to do the job because I've proven that I can work across the aisle and build relationships and communities all across this state.

And that's the job you elected me to do four years ago.

And I delivered and will continue to deliver for you, which is why I have endorsements from both parties who will who are supporting my candidacy continue to serve you?

It's been an honor to serve you in our over 500 employees that work for us every single day.

I'm Tyler Harper.

I'd be honored to earn your vote, to continue to serve you, because sometimes it takes a farmer.

Thank you both for your time today.

Early voting is now underway and runs through Friday, October 30.

Election day is Tuesday, November 3.

We thank all of the candidates and our panel of journalists.

We'd also like to thank the Atlanta Press Club and Georgia Public Broadcasting for arranging today's debate.

I'm Abby Kousouris.

Thank you for joining us at the Atlanta Press Club.

Loudermilk-Young Debate Series.