New Hampshire

New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food

Commissioner

Website: https://www.agriculture.nh.gov/
Social Media: Twitter

About:

Shawn N. Jasper became the 7th Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of New Hampshire in December 2017, appointed by Governor Chris Sununu. A native of New Hampshire, Jasper’s agriculture roots are in the poultry industry where he grew up and worked in the prominent family business, Jasper Poultry Farms. The farm, started by his grandparents, at one point was the third largest poultry operation in New Hampshire during a time when poultry was big business in the state. Jasper operated the farm from 1979-83 before he transitioned the business to property management and residential storage. He is the current president of Jasper Corporation. Jasper is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Business Administration. He was a member of the agricultural fraternity, Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR), as a student and has maintained his agricultural connection by serving as advisor to Alpha Gamma Rho on the University of New Hampshire campus, since 1988. He is also a life member of the FFA Alumni Association. He has remained active in the organization since he was a student, serving as a judge at many conventions over the years and as an Advisory Committee member. Jasper was a town selectman for 17 years and has also served on many other town committees. He served 12 terms in the New Hampshire House of Representatives since his first election in 1984. He was elected Speaker of the House in 2014, a post he held until his resignation in 2017, to become Commissioner of Agriculture.