A little over a year ago, former Speaker of the N.H. House Shawn Jasper traded in his Speaker’s gavel for the job of Commissioner of the N.H. Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food.
Jasper suggested on The Exchange this week that he doesn’t miss the tussle of Statehouse politics -- dealing with 399 lawmakers, constant deadlines, and the scheduling of bills.
When it comes to his new job, Jasper said, “There are still issues here, of course, but I feel I’m able to help people a lot more directly."
Jasper also outlined what he feels his department can and cannot do when it comes to resolving disputes over agritourism and advising farmers with concerns about the effects of climate change. On the latter, Jasper said: "That is more UNH Cooperative Extension's role. That’s not something we’re able to do."