TN Ag commissioner Jai Templeton makes stop here in Clay County
AG COMMISSIONER VISITS-Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton recently visited Clay County, and met with local officials and agriculture-related residents and a story about his stop in Celina appears on page ___. Attending the meeting were (seated, l-r) Jeff Clements, local Farm Bureau committee head; Jason Shultz, local University of Tennessee Extension Agent; Commissioner Templeton, Kevin Donaldson, local chamber of commerce director; county mayor Dale Reagan, Matt Craighead, local Natural Resources Conservation Service/Soil Conservation District; and Nick Patterson, Honest Abe Log Homes. Standing (l-r) are Celina mayor Joey Rich; Wendy Key, Randall Kimes and Haley Barnes of local UT Extension; Doug Young, local Three-Star director, April Patterson, Honest Abe Log Homes; and Jessie Campbell, state Dept. of Agriculture. (photo submitted)
Templeton, who has served as agriculture commissioner since May of last year, said his stop here was part of a tour of the state’s 19 counties who fall in the designation of being economically-distressed.
Templeton led a discussion of a variety of subjects, including the economic impact of agriculture in Clay County. He also discussed several state agriculture-related initiatives that could benefit the county.
“I always appreciate the opportunity to visit with local leaders and the partners and stakeholders who recognize the significance of our agriculture and forestry industries,” Templeton said. “We all know that what happens in one community has the potential to influence the entire state. From challenges to successes, these discussions of local issues provide valuable feedback. That feedback is critical to identify opportunities for every community to thrive.”
Templeton is a former county mayor and commissioner in McNairy County, and a former chamber of commerce president there. He was sworn in as the state’s 37th Commissioner of Agriculture in May of 2016, after serving as a deputy commissioner since 2011.
Templeton is a sixth generation farmer, producing grain, cotton, hay, cattle and timber in McNairy and Hardin counties. He has also served as a Congressional field representative, and as a delegate to the Republican National Convention.