Ag Commissioner candidate speaks to UGACRs

Gary Black, Republican candidate for Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture, spoke to a standing-room-only audience of UGA College Republicans Wednesday night, painting a vivid picture of his "21st-century vision of an agency that touches every home and farm in the state of Georgia."

"a great task ahead"

Black spoke of his "lifetime of experience" in agriculture and his career of working to "make agriculture better in Georgia," saying that only he among the candidates possessed the "leadership, passion, experience to fill [the] bill" of overseeing all of the facets of agriculture in the state.

"We have a great task ahead," he said, pointing to the need to adjust the current state of stagnant government bureaucracy, and to modernize into a "performance-driven government, with measurable productivity, performance, and accountability." Black told of his desire to accomplish this while "bringing a servant's heart to government," something he said was "desperately" lacking.

"Our objective," Black said, "is to win this race." He pronounced the greatest "respect" for the incumbent of 37 years, as well as appreciation for the "things he conducted which have been positive for the state of Georgia," but said that "after 37 years, it is time for a new vision--and we bring that vision and sense of urgency."

Black stressed the importance of agriculture to every citizen, not just the 11.8% of the population that has a direct relationship with it. This is a "broad agency," he said, encompassing "every food safety issue, from inspection and quality assurance to the licensing of grocery stores," working closely with veterinary medicine, "licensing pet dealers," overseeing "spay and neuter programs," and many other aspects of daily life. This agency "demands a lot of experience," he said, "and we bring that experience needed to win."

"…the only workable plan in this race"

Black spelled out the staple of his "Agriculture 2010" plan--economic development, environmental stewardship, and education (the "E-3 initiative")--which he called the "only workable plan in this race."

"The Ag commissioner should be working at the state level to help create jobs tied to agriculture," he said, adding that in that office he would "be an active player," and "not leave an idle seat." Black spoke of the promise of fossil fuel alternatives, saying that the effort to solve America's "addiction to foreign oil" could be "lead through Georgia agriculture."

He closed by saying "I am passionate about bringing a twenty-first century vision to agriculture in Georgia," and citing the remarkable grassroots volunteer network, including College Republicans, that could help him achieve primary victory in July, and general election victory in November.