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Agri-visionary

Posted on September 2, 2025 12:08 PM

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper knew exactly what to do the moment he took office in 2023: He hired Jenna Saxon.

“It is difficult to put into words exactly how much Jenna means not only to the Georgia Department of Agriculture, but also to me as a person. Hiring Jenna was the first decision I made after being elected as Agriculture Commissioner, and while I may be a little biased, I believe it remains one of the best decisions I’ve made over the last three years,” said Commissioner Harper.

As Commissioner Harper’s chief of staff, Saxon works alongside him and senior leadership to align the department’s day-to-day operations and mission with the commissioner’s long-term goals and vision to support Georgia’s farmers, consumers and agribusinesses.

It just so happens, that’s the same vision Saxon has had her whole life.

“My family owned and operated a timber and logging company, a hardware store and a broiler farm in Oglethorpe County. From the time I was born, my parents instilled in me a deep appreciation for agriculture and forestry, particularly a sense of respect and gratitude for the people behind those industries,” said Saxon, now 36.

Saxon got involved with her local 4-H when she was in fourth grade. In high school she joined Future Farmers of America (FFA) where she was able to participate in numerous programs, competitions and projects. She showed dairy heifers and hogs and got to visit Washington, D.C., as a delegate of the Georgia EMC Washington Youth Tour.

“Through my involvement in 4-H and FFA, I knew for certain that I wanted to pursue a career in agriculture. I’ve always been passionate about the industry. Thanks to those programs, I was exposed to Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College and the University of Georgia, and I attended both,” she said.

After two years at ABAC, Saxon transferred to UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, where she received her degree in agricultural communications. Saxon maximized her time in college, serving as a UGA Extension intern, a student worker with the Georgia 4-H Youth Livestock Program, an FFA-FCCLA Center camp counselor and even Georgia’s Watermelon Queen.

She wasn’t sure at the time what her life after college would look like, but she knew she wanted to work in a role that would support the agriculture industry and be helpful to Georgia’s farmers. 

The connections she made as Watermelon Queen got her off to a good start. She took an internship with the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers association, and from there her career flourished. In 2012 she got a call from then Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black asking her to join his staff as an executive assistant with roles in the communications and constituent services offices. After that, she briefly worked on the policy and legislative team with Georgia Farm Bureau’s government affairs office and then took a job with Georgia EMC in its government affairs office. 

“That job with Georgia EMC just felt right. I got to move back to Atlanta and my heart truly is with the co-ops and EMCs in our state,” she said. “And although I continue to live and work in Atlanta, my heart will always be in rural Georgia. I grew up in rural Georgia and I have always been drawn to organizations that help rural communities thrive. I have been blessed to work at incredible organizations that do just that.”

In 2023 she got the call from Commissioner Harper and knew she’d landed in the perfect place. The two had known each other professionally for years, and Saxon said she was thrilled to get the opportunity to help him carry out his mission.

One of the larger state agencies, the Georgia Department of Agriculture has more than 500 employees in 20 different agency divisions, which cover everything from gas pumps to grocery stores.

Saxon’s role is to lead the commissioner’s team, aligning the department’s day-to-day operations with Commissioner Harper’s long-term goals, which are to serve Georgia’s farms, agribusinesses and consumers.

“Being the chief of staff for a 500-plus person agency and a statewide elected officer is no easy task, but she consistently handles even the most difficult situations with a grace and poise that are remarkable. Jenna keeps the trains running on time, ensures the ship holds steady and puts out the fires when they pop up, all while keeping me in check when I need it,” said Commissioner Harper.

Saxon said she finds joy in helping others, and to be able to do that on such a large scale is truly a gift from God.

“I pinch myself when I think about it. I’m here because God provided me with people in my life who took care of me and gave me a path to have this tremendous opportunity to give back to the industries that I’m passionate about and the people I care about,” she said.

And those people are Georgia’s farmers.

“Any work we do to help farmers across the state, that’s my favorite part. The farmers in our state are some of the hardest working individuals anyone would ever meet. They deserve everything. They deserve to be represented by people who care about them and who truly respect them,” Saxon said. “Because of my background, I have so much respect for farmers in our rural communities. My job is to work for and represent the people who are so busy that they don’t have time to advocate for themselves.”

That’s something both she and Commissioner Harper see eye-to-eye on. 

“Growing up on a poultry farm in Oglethorpe County, Jenna understands firsthand the importance of agriculture to our state as well as the ups and downs of life on the farm. Her passion for, and understanding of, Georgia agriculture is evident in the attitude, effort and tenacity she brings to our office every single day,” he said. “She is one of the most genuine, caring and down-to-earth people I have had the pleasure of knowing or working with. I’m proud to call her my chief of staff, fellow advocate and friend.”