Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture are proud to announce the newly revamped Tennessee Farmer of the Year program. While the program has strong roots since 1990 with 32 farmers recognized, this new vision will honor the state’s rich agricultural history across all three regions of Tennessee while recognizing the state’s top farmers. This will include naming one top producer in each of the three grand divisions of the Volunteer State, and from these regional honorees, one exemplary producer will be named the Tennessee Farmer of the Year.
Applicants for the Tennessee Farmer of the Year:
- Must be at least 21 years old upon the application deadline.
- Must be a farmer of a crop, livestock or production enterprise constituting a full-time farm operation and their primary source of income.
- Must be a farmer…not a couple, partnership or family nomination (applicants may farm as a partnership or couple with their appropriate interest in the overall operation specified in the application).
- Are not eligible to re-apply for the award (that is, the Tennessee Farmer of the Year may only receive the award once including the state winners prior to 2026)
- Regional winners may re-apply as often as desired.
- Family members of a state winner who are part of a family farming operation/partnership are not eligible to apply for the award within 5 years of another family member/partner receiving the state award.
- In the event that a state winner is unable to fulfill their term as farmer of the year, the selection committee and steering committee will implement a contingency plan.
Awards and Responsibilities:
- A regional finalist from each grand division will be selected and recognized at an award ceremony in June. Each of the three regional winners is expected to attend the award ceremony and will have travel expenses reimbursed for their attendance.
- The overall state winner will be named following farm visits to each regional winner by a steering committee of UTIA and Farm Bureau representatives, as well as representatives from affiliated agencies including Tennessee State University and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
- The Tennessee Farmer of the Year is expected to make a number appearances at various agricultural events, including the Tennessee State Fair, UT Institute of Agriculture’s annual Ag Day celebration, Tennessee Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and more.
Title Sponsors:
- The Tennessee Farm of the Year will receive:
- Can-Am Defender HD11 XT CAB (value of $30,000)
- All-expense paid trip for two to the America Farm Bureau Convention in January 2027
- Paid travel expenses for tour of duty
- A family table (8 seats) at the Farmer of the Year Award Ceremony in Franklin on June 13, 2026.
- (2) Regional winners will receive:
- $5,000 cash award
- A family table (8 seats) at the Farmer of the Year Award Ceremony in Franklin on June 13, 2026
Tentative application and award schedule:
- March 1: All Applications due
- Mid-March: Selection committee meets to review applications and select regional finalists for on-site visits.
- Mid-March to Mid-April: On-site visits with regional finalists.
- Mid-April to May: Selection committee meets to select winner.
- June – Tennessee Farmer of the Year Award Ceremony at Tennessee Farm Bureau Foundation Gala
Selection Criteria/Scorecard/Rubric:
The Official Application Award will have 5 primary sections for (1) Personal information (2) Scope of Farming Operation (3) Focus on Farm Management (4) Leadership and Community Involvement and (5) Other Information.
Personal information:
- Basic contact information
- Family Information
- Awards and recognition
- Confirmation of full-time farming
Scope of farming operation:
- Acres
- Enterprises
- Financials
- Labor
- Marketing
- Production Practices
- Sustainability
Focus on Farm Management:
- Growth, obstacles and achievements
- Goals, innovation and philosophy
- Transition planning and resiliency
Leadership and Community Involvement:
- Memberships, leadership and advocating
- Continuing education and collaboration
- Connections
Other Information
*Find a copy of the application in a PDF below. This pdf will not be accepted as an entry but is made available so applicants can see full application and prepare responses in advance of actual online application submission.
If you would like to nominate a someone for Tennessee Farmer of the Year and encourage them to apply for this program, please fill out the brief form below. The nominees will receive an email encouraging them to apply, but will still need to fill out and submit the online application.
- 2024, George McDonald (Smith County)
- 2023, Kyle Owen (Smith County)
- 2022, John Harrison (Loudon County)
- 2020-21, Jay Yeargin (Weakley County)
- 2019, Jerry Ray (Moore County)
- 2018, John Verell (Madison County)
- 2017, Mike Robinson (Franklin County)
- 2016, James Haskew (Marion County)
- 2015, George Clay (Grundy County)
- 2014, John Keller (Blount County)
- 2013, Richard Jameson (Haywood County)
- 2012, Steve Dixon (Franklin County)
- 2011, Mac Pate (Blount County)
- 2010, Brad Black (Monroe County)
- 2009, Richard Atkinson (Franklin County?
- 2008, Jerry Ray (Moore County)
- 2007, Grant Norwood (Henry County)
- 2006, Bob Willis (Coffee County) {* Sunbelt Farmer of the Year}
- 2005, John Litz, Hamblen County
- 2004, Austin Anderson (Coffee County)
- 2003, John Smith (Henry County)
- 2002, Ed Rollins (Giles County)
- 2001, Malcolm Burchfiel (Dyer County)
- 2000, Harris Armour (Fayette County)
- 1999, Eugene Pugh (Lauderdale County)
- 1998, Jimmy Tosh (Henry County) {* Sunbelt Farmer of the Year}
- 1997, Jimmy Gaylord (Weakley County)
- 1996, George McDonald (Smith County)
- 1995, Bobby Vannatta (Bedford County)
- 1994, Bob Willis (Coffee County)
- 1993, Edward Wilson (Bradley County)
- 1992, Dwaine Peters (Monroe County)
- 1991, Burl Ottinger (Cocke County)
- 1990, James Graham (Cocke County) * 1990 was the inaugural year of the Sunbelt Farmer of the Year Program
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