Farmers and the community heard from Dr. Charlie Hatcher during the annual Todd County Chamber of Commerce ‘Ag Appreciation Breakfast’ on Thursday morning.
Dr. Hatcher, a tenth-generation American farmer and veterinarian, served as the 38th Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture. Appointed by Governor Bill Lee in 2019, he led the Tennessee Department of Agriculture for nearly seven years before announcing his retirement in late 2025.
Hatcher’s connection to Todd County started in early 1985 and lasted until 1993, when he worked at what is now known as the Todd County Animal Clinic.
Since that point, Hatcher has been heavily involved with other veterinary clinics and raised dairy cattle with his family farm, Hatcher Family Dairy. His farm is located in a very rich area of Tennessee, one where agriculture has been replaced by housing developments.
Hatcher spoke of a resident living in that neighborhood for a total of five months, who was complaining about the smell. When they learned the farm had been located there for over 200 years, they didn’t say another word.
In 2025, Hatcher said Tennessee was losing 10 acres of high-value farm land every hour.
Hatcher said the current state of agriculture is not good.
Following Hatch’s remarks, a ham from B&B Farms was auctioned off for $7,000. H&R Agri Power and Farm Credit Mid-America split the winning bid, with Marklin Insurance donating an additional $2,000 – all funds were split between the Todd County 4-H and FFA programs.
His full speech:
