Katie Martin has been named Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation regional field director for the Upper Cumberland area in Middle Tennessee announced TFBF Executive Vice President Bryan Wright.
Martin’s role as a regional field director will be to serve as the Farm Bureau liaison for 13 counties – Cannon, Clay, Dekalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Trousdale, Warren and White.
“Katie has a longtime history growing up in this organization,” said Wright. “She knows the importance of Farm Bureau firsthand and is no doubt ready to make a positive difference on those counties she will serve as a field director. Her drive and commitment to excellence is second to none and we are looking forward to Katie being a part of our team.”
Growing up on a third-generation family farm in Cookeville, Martin was raised around horses and agriculture. She was actively involved in 4-H and FFA and graduated from Tennessee Tech in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness management before obtaining her master’s degree in agriculture leadership, education and communications from the University of Tennessee in 2019. Prior to coming to Farm Bureau, Martin served as an Extension agent in Smith County for seven years.
“I’m excited to have Katie join our field staff team,” said Melissa Bryant, director of field services. “Her passion for the agriculture industry and her involvement in Farm Bureau has impressed me through the years, and I’m eager to see how she will lead the Upper Cumberland as a new field director.”
Martin has been involved in YF&R since she was 18 and could join the organization. She has served on the state YF&R committee and for several years as Putnam County’s YF&R chair. She was named state winner in the discussion meet in 2019 and state winner in the excellence in agriculture contest in 2022. Additionally, she was selected to participate in American Farm Bureau’s Women’s Communications Bootcamp in 2021.
“Getting to grow up around Farm Bureau, this feels like such a full circle moment for me to now work for TFBF and serve farmers in the Upper Cumberland,” said Martin. “There are no doubt big shoes to fill, but I’m excited and ready to hit the ground running in 2025.”
Aside from her career, Martin and her family also own 40:8 Flower Co. where she has provided fresh, local blooms to the community since 2020. She and her husband, Doug, are proud to be raising the next generation with their children, Easton and Palmer.
