Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. was sworn in as Tennessee’s 38th Commissioner of Agriculture on Jan. 19, 2019.

Appointed by Governor Bill Lee, Dr. Hatcher is a tenth generation American farmer and a fifth generation Tennessee farmer. Prior to becoming Commissioner, he served for ten years as the State Veterinarian for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. In that role, he protected the health and welfare of animals within the state and promoted the marketability of animals and animal products.

Dr. Hatcher founded Rock-N-Country Veterinary Services in College Grove, Tenn. in 1993, specializing in livestock. The veterinary practice is now managed by his daughter, Jennifer, who is also a veterinarian. The Hatchers are well known in the dairy and agritourism industries, too. In 2007, Hatcher Family Dairy began bottling its own milk and today provides milk and milk products to customers in Middle Tennessee. Hatcher’s son, Charles, serves as president of the business.

Dr. Hatcher earned a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (1984) and a B.S. in Animal Science from Middle Tennessee State University (1980).

He lives on the family farm in College Grove (est. 1831) with his wife of forty years, Sharon. His daughter and son also live on the farm with their families.