‘Lessons for a lifetime’
4-H and FFA members take part in leadership and citizenship training and compete for awards at annual events
By Glen Liford
An excited 2026-27 Tennessee FFA State Officer Team takes the stage to celebrate and pose for photos amidst dramatic lighting and a flurry of confetti as the finale to an inspiring 98th State FFA Convention in Gatlinburg on March 25. — Photo by Layla Denton
Spring is a busy time for 4-H and FFA members with the spotlight shining on them during two of the state’s premier leadership and citizenship events: Tennessee State 4-H Congress and Tennessee State FFA Convention. The Tennessee Farmers Cooperative Foundation (TFCF) is among sponsors of both events.
State 4-H Congress The 79th State 4-H Congress was held March 7-11 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Murfreesboro, on the Tennessee State University campus, and at the state capitol. 4-H members in grades 9-10 took on roles of Senators and Representatives, created and voted on legislation, held elections for state officers, and enjoyed their time while learning. During the event, state finalists in Citizenship, Leadership, Public Speaking, and History Bowl competed for top honors and scholarships.
4-H leaders added a second day to the iconic citizenship and leadership event this year to allow members a deeper experience. Besides voting and debating bills and resolutions, the additional time allowed attendees to take part in crafting the actual bills to be considered.
“I enjoyed being on the House and Senate floors as we debated some of these bills,” said State 4-H President Alex Snodgrass. “There were some interesting thoughts and opinions.”
“On Saturday night, we had to prepare our delegates with a ‘Know Your Government’ session and explain how to write a bill, so it took some time and a little bit of learning.
‘It's an improved process and will be even better next year. I think this brings a greater focus to Congress and how it began.
‘We've really enjoyed the week. It's been long, but it's been rewarding.”
The 4-H Congress delegates elected the following new officers for 2026-27: Governor: Colson Kelley, Franklin County; Speaker of the Senate: Ayden Holton, Grainger County; and Speaker of the House: Sadie Holland, Hamilton County.
Tennessee Farmers Cooperative and its Foundation were recognized by the Tennessee 4-H Foundation as members of the Felix and Helen Knight Benefactors Society for their substantial support of Tennessee 4-H. Over the years, Co-op has proudly contributed more than $1 million to support the Tennessee 4-H Program, helping strengthen programs and expand opportunities for youth across the state.
“4-H has a long and proud history of developing young people who are confident, capable, and committed to serving others,” said TFCF Executive Director Claire Hill as she accepted the award. “The values 4-H teaches — hard work, responsibility, leadership, and service — are the same values that Co-op was built on, and they continue to guide us every day. The lessons they learn in 4-H will guide them for a lifetime.
“Reaching the milestone of one million dollars in support of Tennessee 4-H is something we are incredibly proud of — but more importantly, we are proud of what that support represents. It represents opportunities for young people across our state. It represents skills learned, confidence built, and leaders developed. And it represents a shared belief that investing in youth strengthens our communities and our future.”
2026 Tennessee 4-H Governor Harrison Crenshaw of Franklin County presides over the installation of the 2026-27 Congress Officers, from left, 2026-27 Governor Colson Kelley, Franklin County; 2026 Speaker of the Senate Kaylin Osterhaus, Lincoln County; 2026-27 Speaker of the House, Sadie Holland, Hamilton County; 2026 Speaker of the House Mehak Patel, Franklin County; and 2026-27 Speaker of the Senate Ayden Holton, Grainger County.
The 4-H Congress delegates elected the following new officers for 2026-27: Sadie Holland, Hamilton County, Speaker of the House; Colson Kelley, Franklin County, Governor; and Ayden Holton, Grainger County, Speaker of the Senate.
Tennessee Agricultural Commissioner Andy Holt brought greetings at the Citizenship Banquet on Tuesday night and expressed how proud he was of the Congress attendees and all they had accomplished.
Tennessee Farmers Cooperative and the TFC Foundation were honored as 4-H Hall of Fame Members of the Felix and Helen Knight Benefactors Society in recognition of the $1 million in historical support to the Tennessee 4-H Program. From left are Tennessee 4-H Foundation President Carol Coley McDonald, TFC Foundation Executive Director Claire Hill, and TFC Chief Executive Officer Joey Caldwell.
During the Tennessee 4-H Congress Citizenship Banquet, Jeff Aiken was honored as the Tennessee Friend of 4-H. A third-generation farmer, Aiken demonstrated his commitment to agriculture and leadership throughout his career. From leading the Tennessee Farm Bureau to serving as Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture, he has been a dedicated advocate for youth organizations like 4-H and FFA. FFA State Convention & Expo The 98th Tennessee FFA State Convention & Expo was held March 22-25th at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. More than 4,000 attended the final session on Wednesday, March 25th where the new state officer team and major awards were announced. The convention spotlights the incredible achievements of the best of the state’s almost 35,000 members representing 270 chapters.
The 2026-27 State Officers elected at convention were: President: Emma Hummer, Erwin; Secretary: John Hancock, Lebanon; West Tennessee Vice President: Ann Thomas Lowery, Dyersburg; Middle Tennessee Vice President: Jordan Davis, Wilson Central; East Tennessee Vice President: Nate Mason, Cocke County; Treasurer: Annabelle Alexis, Oakland; Reporter: Sapana Das, Chuckey-Doak; and Sentinel: Baylea Walton, Covington.
“I don't even know how to describe it,” exclaimed newly elected President Emma Hummer. “I've never felt anything like this in my entire life. I grew up playing softball, so competing in so many championship games, I know what it’s like to have an adrenaline rush. But nothing quite compares to this. With over 4,000 members in the audience, and hearing my name called, and running up there with my new team … it's a feeling like no other.”
Emma is graduating from Unicoi High School in May with plans to attend the University of Tennessee, where she will enroll in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications in the Herbert College of Agriculture.
Also at the final session, Tennessee Commissioner of Education Lizzette Reynolds was presented with an Honorary State FFA Degree in recognition of her support of the program.
TFCF Executive Director Claire Hill was also present at the FFA Convention and took the podium to represent Tennessee Farmers Cooperative and its member Co-ops.
“We’re so proud to be the presenting sponsor of the State FFA Convention,” said Hill as she addressed convention attendees. “To the FFA members in the room — let me start by saying this: you are exactly why we invest in this organization. Your passion for agriculture, your willingness to lead, and your commitment to serve others represent the very best of Tennessee’s future.
“At the Tennessee Farmers Cooperative Foundation, our mission is simple but powerful: to support agriculture, education, and rural communities across our state. We believe strongly that agriculture doesn’t just grow crops and livestock —it grows leaders. And no organization does that better than FFA.”
Hill noted that many employees who work in the Co-op system come from the same backgrounds as the 4-H and FFA students — farms, small towns, and rural communities.
“We know firsthand that leadership is built through responsibility, hard work, and learning from those who came before us,” she added. “When we look around this room, we don’t just see students. We see future producers, agronomists, animal scientists, mechanics, marketers, managers, and community leaders. We see individuals who will shape the future of agriculture in Tennessee and beyond.”
The 2026 4-H Congress officers, from left, Governor Harrison Crenshaw, Speaker of the Senate Kaylin Osterhaus, and Speaker of the House Mehak Patel, present Tennessee Governor Bill Lee with a resolution thanking him for his support of 4-H and FFA programs. The governor has experienced the positive effects of the program firsthand. During his remarks to Congress attendees, he related how he was an active 4-H member from fourth grade where he participated in public speaking contests to attending National Congress as a college freshman where he competed in the electric project.
Chosen as state FFA officers for 2026-27 are, front row from left, Baylea Walton, Covington, Sentinel; Sapana Das, Chuckey-Doak, Reporter; Annabelle Alexis, Oakland, Treasurer; and Emma Hummer, Erwin, President. Back row, from left, are Jordan Davis, Wilson Central, Middle Tennessee Vice President; Nate Mason, Cocke County, East Tennessee Vice President; John Hancock, Lebanon, Secretary; and Ann Thomas Lowery, Dyersburg, West Tennessee Vice President.
2025-26 State FFA President Weston Brown appeared as Elvis during his farewell address. His presentation was entitled “Who Are You,” and was inspired by TFC’s Claire Hill, who advised him to “just be Weston.”
Story by Glen Liford,
Contact gliford@ourcoop.com