March was a big month for Tennessee 4-Hers and FFA members as they took part in their organizations’ premier events. Tennessee 4-H Congress was held March 9-12 at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro and the State FFA Convention followed March 23-26 in Gatlinburg.

Both events highlighted the achievements of the members, recognizing the efforts they have put toward developing leadership, citizenship, public speaking skills, and other proficiencies.

This year’s theme for State 4-H Congress was “Beyond Ready,” which speaks to the preparation the activities provide these future leaders and citizens. At Congress, participants in 9th and 10th grades act as pretend members of the Senate or the House of Representatives, forming a "junior" state Congress. They act as Senators and Representatives as they vote on bills and debate the merits of the legislation, gaining a hands-on appreciation for how the political process works. Candidates vie for the positions of Governor, Speaker of the House, and Speaker of the Senate during the event.

The 2026 Tennessee 4-H Congress Officers elected at the 2025 event are Kaylin Osterhaus, Lincoln County, Speaker of the Senate; Harrison Crenshaw, Franklin County, Governor; and Mehak Patel, Franklin County, Speaker of the House.

Similarly, State FFA Convention recognizes the accomplishments of FFA members and chapters, and the membership elects a new slate of state officers for the coming year.

The newly elected 2025-2026 State FFA Officer Team officers, along with their schools and elected titles are Weston Brown, West Greene High School?, President; Katie Lipford, Johnson County, East TN State Vice President; Casen Austin, Macon County, Middle TN State Vice President; Abigail Collie, Westview, West State Vice President; Abigail Whicker, Middle TN Ag Academy, Secretary; Lucy Beth Jackson, Paris, Treasurer; Ariana Moto Carrillo, Stewarts Creek, Reporter; and Sarah Marshall, Eagleville, Sentinel.

Attending State 4-H Congress and the State FFA Convention each year is “like watching a transformation in process” as the new officers are elected, says Tennessee Farmers Cooperative Training and Education Manager Scott Bohanon, who served as Middle Tennessee Vice President on the State FFA Officer Team in 2013-14. As the seasoned officers step aside to make way for the new team, the effect of their service during the past year is obvious. They’re comfortable in their roles, speaking and leading in a manner that often belies their youth. The newly elected individuals are usually confident too, coming off a competitive campaign or passing through a diligent screening process.

In most cases, these opportunities are merely steppingstones for the youth as they move on to outstanding college experiences and successful careers.

“The influence these programs have is undeniable,” Bohanon says. “The winners and those elected to the top positions indeed standout, but the effect is often just as significant for those who participate in smaller ways, as well.”

A tried-and-true youth leader, Bohanan is often the first point of contact later when students appear at college career days throughout Tennessee and stop by to inquire about a future Co-op career. Scott has the know-how and experience to select those graduates who will fit the Co-op culture, and he says it is easy to spot candidates who have been involved and taken active roles in 4-H and FFA.

“These hard-working students will come into an interview with confidence,” he says. “They’re comfortable engaging with me, telling their stories, and sharing their experiences in a way that I can tell — even if I don’t know them — that they’ve been a 4-H or FFA member.”

In recognition of these programs, Co-op and the Tennessee Farmers Cooperative Foundation (TFCF) sponsors portions of both Tennessee 4-H Congress and the State FFA Convention. At the FFA Convention, they are recognized as premiere sponsors.

“We’re pleased to provide support to these great organizations,” says TCFC Executive Director Claire Hill, who is also an FFA Alumnus from Maury County. “We see great value in the experiences these young people gain from their participation.”

Tennessee Farmers Cooperative Chief Executive Officer Shannon Huff agrees, noting that this commitment to youth and the communities in which Co-ops are located is one of the cooperative’s guiding principles.

“It’s encouraging to see these 4-H and FFA members in action at events like 4-H Congress and the FFA Convention,” says Huff. “Their hard work and dedication are obvious in all that they do. And these experiences are sure to set the stage for future success in whatever career path they choose. Our communities, our state, and our world all benefit from the high-caliber youth who are alumni of these organizations.”