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During the Tennessee Young Farmers & Ranchers Fall Educational Tour in Lincoln County, the state Excellence in Agriculture winner was announced as Justin Hargrove of Benton County.
Amy Beckham: Justin Hargrove Takes Home State Excellence Honors. Hello there and welcome to Tennessee Home and Farm Radio, I’m Amy Beckham.
Justin Hargrove: I’m on cloud nine. I don’t think that my feet have quite yet touched the ground since they announced that.
Amy Beckham: During the Tennessee Young Farmers and Ranchers Fall Educational Tour in Lincoln County, the state Excellence in Agriculture winner was announced as Justin Hargrove from Benton County. And when Hargrove’s name was called out on top, he was shocked to say the least
Justin Hargrove: The interesting thing of it was I sat through and listened to most of my competitors after I gave my presentation early on, and they were all incredible, absolutely outstanding. I’ve been sitting and thinking how to improve for next year and I still can’t really believe how in the world that I’ve wound up in the first place position, but I’m thankful to be here.
Amy Beckham: As a third generation cattle producer and Extension agent in Benton County, Hargrove lives and breathes agriculture, which is why his involvement in 4-H in school naturally led him directly into the young farmers program.
Justin Hargrove: 4-H is what pushed me out of my comfort zone into public speaking and then Young Farmers and Ranchers has continued to push me to grow and improve my skills in leadership and advocacy. This organization has been an inspiration and a motivation to me, a wonderful opportunity for young folks to be able to develop their leadership skills and then step into the field of advocacy to support this industry that supports all of us. Without Farm Bureau, we as agriculturalists wouldn’t really have a voice in the policy development that governs the way we do business.
Amy Beckham: As state winner, Hargrove receives cash prizes and also a John Deere Gator thanks to Farm Credit Mid-America. He also will represent Tennessee in the contest at the American Farm Bureau Convention in Salt Lake City in January, and as a previous national competitor in the discussion meet, he’s looking forward to another opportunity on the national stage.
Justin Hargrove: As my second opportunity to compete at the national level, I’m stoked. I’ve got a lot of studying to do and preparation work to get there, but I’m excited for the challenge and ready to go in there and do my very best to represent Tennessee in a good light.
Amy Beckham: For Tennessee Home and Farm Radio, I’m Amy Beckham.
