The Tennessee Agriculture and Forestry Leadership (TAFL) Program selected participants to be a part of the inaugural cohort that starts in 2025.
Participants making up the first class are:
| Jim Bledsoe, Jamestown | Colton McClanahan, Sparta |
| Jeremy Burnett, Lakeland | Matthew Miller, Powell |
| Benjie Daniel, Charlotte | Nick Patterson, Red Boiling Springs |
| Andy Davis, Sparta | Dustin Pearson, Gray |
| Jason Doggett, Pulaski | Mark Powell, Watertown |
| Julie Head, Adams | Allie Richman, Lynchburg |
| Robert Hill, Jackson | Kary Robinson, Huntland |
| Aaron Loy, New Market | Pamela Stoutt, Strawberry Plains |
| Robert Thompson, Niota | Laura Vaught, Milton |
| Shane Williams, Riceville |
The Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership, an agency of the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service (IPS), the UT Institute of Agriculture (UTIA), the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and other partner agencies have developed the TAFL program. TAFL provides leadership and networking opportunities for farmers, foresters and the agriculture community.
TAFL is an 18-month program that includes travel across the state, an out-of-state industry trip and a visit to Washington, D.C. It connects cohort participants with others in the agriculture and forestry industry, and includes tours of farms, forests and businesses. Participants will attend leadership development sessions to enhance communication, leadership, critical thinking, entrepreneurial and strategic planning skills.
“The farm community is the backbone of rural Tennessee. It’s exciting to bring our Naifeh Center’s expertise in executive and community leadership to support food, fiber and forestry producers in this personal growth experience. In turn, we expect the participants in the program, with the tools, skills and network it provides, to have a meaningful impact on rural vitality across the state,” said IPS Vice President Herb Byrd III. “The partnership and support of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Tennessee Farm Bureau, UTIA, Farm Credit Mid-America, Tennessee Farmer’s Co-op and other commodity groups demonstrates a strong commitment to rural leadership.”
