Tennessee Farm Bureau Members Take Part in American Farm Bureau’s 104th Annual Meeting

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, January 10, 2023

During the 104th annual meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation, more than 190 Tennessee Farm Bureau members took part in educational sessions, a trade show, competitions, networking events and much more.

Tennessee Young Farmers and Ranchers represented the Volunteer State extremely well in each of the three contests held at the national level – the Achievement Award, Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet. Those representatives were Derek and Micayla Giffin from Obion County, Katie Martin from Putnam County and Justin Hargrove from Benton County. Each competed for awards against farmers from across the country and demonstrated knowledge of and achievement in agriculture, as well as commitment to promoting the agriculture industry.

The Giffins were named national runners-up in the Achievement Award contest, which recognizes young farmers who have excelled in their farming operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities. As a fifth-generation farmer, Derek operates Giffin Farms alongside Micayla and also his father and cousin. The family farm is a diversified row crop operation consisting of more than 1,000 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and occasionally other small grains to increase diversity and produce their own cover crop seed. The couple also raises a herd of beef cattle where they focus on producing high quality calves for their custom beef enterprise. Off the farm, Micayla works as a state loan analyst for USDA’s Farm Service Agency. The Giffins are proud to be raising the sixth generation on the farm with their son, Everett.

Katie Martin competed in the Excellence in Agriculture contest. This award recognizes young farmers who do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation, but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, their leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations. Katie is a 4-H agent in Smith County who works with more than 1,000 youth a year. She also co-hosts a television series called “Cultivating Communities,” which aims to share with the non-farm public about local farmers and what they produce. Aside from her career, her and her family own and operate a cut flower farm, 40:8 Flower Co. Katie and her husband, Doug, have one son, Easton.

Justin Hargrove competed in the Discussion Meet. This intense competition is designed to simulate a committee meeting in which active discussion and participation are expected. Participants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas and information on a predetermined topic. Justin is an Extension agent in Benton County and also a third-generation farmer in Camden where he raises beef cattle alongside his father on Hargrove Farms. Justin and his wife, Alli, have one son, Inman.

More than 35 women from across the state participated in the annual meeting of the American Farm Bureau Women. During their business session, Lou Nave of Cannon County was re-elected as the southern region representative on the American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee.

Tennessee delegates spent the final day of the annual meeting at the business session discussing and determining policy for the national farm organization.

A total of 340 voting delegates, of which Tennessee Farm Bureau has 35, representing every crop and livestock sector in the United States deliberated on policies affecting farmers’ productivity and profitability. The policies approved at the convention will guide the nation’s largest general farm organization throughout 2023.

Also, during the business session, Tennessee Farm Bureau President Eric Mayberry was re-elected by the voting delegates to serve on the American Farm Bureau Board of Directors.