NASHVILLE, TN – Tennessee Future Farmers of America (FFA) State and Regional Officers, along with McGavock FFA President, Madison Gleaves, and advisor, Jessie Lumpkins, accepted a $7,100 contribution from representatives of Leadership Middle Tennessee in a check presentation Tuesday in Nashville.
Leadership Middle Tennessee, a regional leadership program that engages community and business leaders, recently organized a Farm to Table event at the Nashville Farmer’s Market benefiting the Tennessee FFA and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. More than $20,000 was raised.
Those present totaled some 300 business representatives, state and local dignitaries, and consumers who are supportive of the farm-to-table movement. Among those in attendance was Commissioner of Agriculture, Julius Johnson.
“Leadership Middle Tennessee is a great organization for engaging business, government and community leaders in what’s happening in the area, and I’m proud that this year they chose to focus on agriculture with a great farm-to-table event,” Johnson said. “I commend them for their support of Second Harvest and the FFA.”
Leadership Middle Tennessee was represented at the check presentation by program participants including Tennessee FFA Foundation, Inc. Board member, Matt Neal of Farm Credit Mid-America.
“This event gave our class the chance to showcase agriculture in Tennessee by placing agricultural education and leadership on a pedestal,” said Neal during the check presentation. “Agriculture is vital to Tennessee’s economy and we are happy to show our support by giving back to these two worthwhile causes.”
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Nationally, there are 606,510 FFA members, aged 12-21. The Tennessee FFA Association has more than 13,000 members from 228 chapters across the state.
Tennessee Tech University, Box 5034 Cookeville, TN 38505-0001
(Photo caption: FFA and Leadership Middle Tennessee representatives gather on the steps of the Capitol building overlooking the Nashville Farmer’s Market for a check presentation. L-R: Jessie Lumpkins, Lynn Maddox, Mendy Mazzo, Dalton Teal, Kevin Robertson, Matt Neal, Richard Stone, Shelby Day, Victoria Utsman, Abby Gass, Valerie Kemp Dreier, Madison Gleaves, Nick Baker, Elke Ridenour, Brendi Kaplan, Ellen Zinkiewicz, Allie Ellis, Coty Vannoy, and Chelsea Rose.)