Excellence in Agriculture - Jake Tench
The Excellence in Ag Award recognizes outstanding Young Farmers & Ag Professionals who do not derive the majority of their income from an owned agricultural operation, but who exhibit and make significant contributions to the agricultural industry. This year’s inaugural presentation for the Excellence in AG award is presented to Jake Tench.
Jake is a Habersham County native. He was reared on his family’s poultry farm in the Mud Creek Community, and grew up loving hunting, fishing, sports, animals, and working on the family poultry farm.
While attending Habersham Central, Tench was a member of Sources of Strength, Student Council, and the bank student advisory board. He lettered in football, basketball, and academics; he was awarded by his teammates to be a permanent team captain in both sports. During Jake’s senior year, he received the Scholar-Athlete Award and scholarship from the National Football foundation and College Hall of Fame.
Jake attended the University of Georgia and worked as the football manager for the Bulldogs and at the UGA Poultry Farm in the summers. He was an active member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and a founding member of the UGA chapter of the five Rivers Fly Fishing and River Conservation Club. Tench graduated from the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences with degrees in Agri-business and Ag-economics.
“Jake and I started preschool together, went to the same elementary school, and played middle school and high school sports,” former classmate and lifelong friend Johnathan Barrett said. “We also both graduated from UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Throughout all these years, Jake has been a dear friend. I know Jake well, and he is a man of great character. While our friendship now crosses state lines, the agricultural industry has carried us both to different places and paths than where we both began; but we both work in AG, and I can honestly say there’s no doubt in my mind that Georgia agriculture is a better place with Jake Tench in it.”
After graduation, Jake went to work for the Georgia Department of Agriculture as a policy assistant for Agricultural Commissioner Gary Black.
“Jake is a professional, a tireless worker, and the son every father would like to have. I am very proud of him and know with certainty that he is now, and will in the future provide the type of leadership Georgia agriculture deserves and expects,” Black said.
In 2019, Tench joined the Georgia Agribusiness Council as the Public Affairs Manager. The Georgia Agribusiness Council is the state’s leading trade association for agribusiness interests. GAC’s Mission is carried through a Program of Work which addresses six primary objectives. As Public Affairs Manager, Jake works extensively in the legislative arena to represent the interest of agriculture producers and agribusinessmen and to build coalitions within the agricultural community.
“As the former House Ag Committee Chair, I have worked with Jake on many issues that will help improve the ability of our famers and agribusinesses to operate in Georgia,” Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall said.
As Public Affairs Manager with the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Tench works to support producers in the agricultural community.
“If you could do a Google search for the Next Generation Ag Leaders, a picture of Jake Tench should show up. He has character that in today’s world is hard to find. He carries himself well and is able to communicate the message of agriculture with folks who don’t see things our way. I am proud to know Jake is on the front lines everyday doing the tough work for my farm and the industry I love,” Producer Drew Echols said.