More than 1,600 farmers from across the state gathered in Franklin December 6-9 for Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation’s 104th annual meeting. The group recognized and presented awards to outstanding county Farm Bureaus, adopted policy resolutions for the upcoming year and elected the state board of directors.
“A lot of what we do here becomes our guidebook for what we believe in and what we think our policy should be on a number of issues whether it be national, state or local,” said Tennessee Farm Bureau President Eric Mayberry. “This keeps our organization united. We’re one voice and we can walk away from this convention with a pathway forward and be confident in whatwe’re going to do in the coming year.”
Session speakers included Andy Holt, Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture; Ryan King, Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture; Butch Wilmore, decorated U.S. Navy captain and astronaut; Chip Saltsman, political strategist; and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.
“Farm Bureau has been incredibly helpful to us as you’ve advocated for what’s important,” said Gov. Lee. “I’m very proud of the work we’ve done together to strengthen our most important industry because what happens in rural Tennessee matters to every Tennessean.”
During the annual business session, 247 delegates debated policy proposals and passed resolutions to guide and direct the organization in 2026 at the state and federal levels. Some of the topics discussed were commodity programming, wildlife initiatives and land use planning.
A highlight of the annual banquet was presenting the inaugural Voice of Tennessee Agriculture Award to State Senator Jack Johnson and State Representative Rusty Grills. Also recognized at the banquet was the retirement of two longtime Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee employees: Jeff Pannell, chief executive officer, and Jerry Cook, chief financial officer. David Richesin of Loudon County was honored for his 13 years of service to our state board as director at large and Dailey and Vincent entertained attendees to conclude the evening.
The delegate body re-elected directors at large Todd Littleton of Gibson County and Charlie Hancock of Stewart County and elected Sherri Lay of Monroe County. Sherri and her husband, Larry, raise corn, soybeans, wheat and oats, as well as manage a 200-head cow/calf herd and operate East Tennessee Feed and Seed. The couple has been involved in the organization for more than 30 years, serving on various boards and committees.
“It’s an honor to be elected to the state board of directors,” said Lay. “Farming is forever changing, and farmers are facing more and more challenges and it is more important than ever for Farm Bureau to be a strong voice in lobbying for farmers and their livelihood to feed and clothe the people in our state and country.”
Other directors re-elected by the voting delegates: president – Eric Mayberry of Humphreys County elected to his third two-year term; district directors – John Chester of Weakley County (District I), Josh Ogle of Lincoln County (District II), TravisTilley of Roane County (District III), Mike Scudder of Smith County (District IV) and Terry Snyder of Johnson County (District V); and state women’s chair Brenda Baker. Vice president James Haskew of Marion County is in the second year of his two-year term while Colton McClanahan of White County was selected as the new state Young Farmer and Rancher chair. He will serve as an ex-officio director alongside Keith Carver, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture senior vice president/senior vice chancellor.
“It has been a tough year for farmers, but it always gives you great comfort to know there are folks who are in the same boat as you,” said Mayberry. “We’re all pulling for each other and trying to solve the problems together. There is light at the end of the tunnel and we’re all going to get there together.”
