About Gary Black
Gary W. Black is a conservative Republican candidate for Georgia Agriculture Commissioner. The qualifications for Agriculture Commissioner established under Georgia Constitution and Code state that the Commissioner be “25 years of age,” and “shall be a practical farmer.” Gary meets these basic requirements with ease. He’s 51. He and his wife Lydia, son Ward and daughter Caroline operate Harmony Grove Farms in Commerce, GA, specializing in the production of home grown beef for local consumers. But in today’s world, the job of Agriculture Commissioner requires more. Much more.
Consumers must have confidence in the taxpayer supported food safety system. This topic is on the mind of every Georgian. Agriculture is the largest segment of our economy. Georgia farmers must take advantage of opportunities in markets locally and abroad. An agency with such a wide spectrum of consumer protection and agricultural promotion responsibilities must be led in a way to foster trust, productivity, accountability and customer service.
It’s a tough job. It’s hard work. That’s why Georgia needs a leader with a broad base of experience, a leader with a record of proven results, a leader ready on day one to go to work on Day One. That’s why Georgia needs Gary Black. | |  |
Gary’s first experience as an advocate for agriculture came at age 17 when he served as Georgia FFA State President. He earned numerous awards including his American Farmer Degree in 1978. Gary was a campus leader at the University of Georgia, graduating with a degree in Agricultural Education in 1980. He was inducted into the AGHON honor society as a student, served as Ag Hill Council Vice President. In 1980, he served as a student intern on the US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.
Gary began his career with the Georgia Farm Bureau in 1980 as a Field Representative, and later served as Coordinator for the State Young Farmer Program. Many of the young farmers Gary worked directly with now serve in leadership positions across Georgia including major farm organizations and the state legislature. Gary started a Washington Leadership program for young farmers in 1983, a program that still attracts young people to the federal legislative process today.
Leaders of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, a chamber-like organization for farmers and agricultural business owners, tapped Gary to serve as President in 1989-a position he held for 21 years. During his time with the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Gary expanded services to members to include worker’s compensation insurance, homeland security compliance training and advocacy on issues including private property rights, lower taxes and environmental stewardship. Gary helped lead efforts to develop and manage the Showcase of Southern Agriculture during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta where over 600,000 visitors from across the globe experienced a microcosm of Georgia agriculture on the grounds of Centennial Park. He is respected as a trusted voice by legislative and regulatory leaders throughout Georgia and the nation.
 | | Gary co-managed the Georgia Food Industry Partnership for 13 years. This public-private consortium directs research funding for food safety and product improvement at Georgia’s research universities. A wide range of projects initiated under this group have improved control of E. coli 0157-H7 and salmonella in food processing facilities and have led to the creation of a number of small businesses specializing in food processing and product improvement technologies. |
Gary’s been recognized for his leadership by the Georgia FFA Association, Georgia Young Farmer’s Association, CropLife America, Georgia Agricultural Economics Association, Southern Crop Production Association, Georgia Plant Food Educational Society and Georgia Seed Association. He is a past chairman of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Alumni Society and a recipient of the society’s Professional Achievement Award in 2004.
Gary would rather be referred to as Lydia’s husband and Ward and Caroline’s dad. Lydia teaches family and consumer science at Jackson County High School. Ward is an Agricultural Economics master’s student at the University of Georgia. Caroline is a Junior at UGA majoring in Agricultural Communications. The family is active at Maysville Baptist Church where Gary serves in the music ministry and teaches adult Sunday School.
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