Frigid 25-degree weather didn’t hamper the warm reception agriculture enthusiasts shared outside at the annual Ag Day on the Hill held March 17. Celebrated on the State Capitol grounds each year, the event acknowledges the contributions of more than 63,000 farms and 350,000 workers in agriculture and forestry-related businesses in Tennessee.

“We’re here to celebrate the vital contributions of agriculture and forestry, and to raise awareness of their central role in providing the food, fuel, and fiber that sustain everyday life,” announced Deputy Governor Stuart McWhorter in the absence of Governor Bill Lee. “Please join me in recognizing and celebrating farmers, forest landowners, and agricultural professionals who work to strengthen our economy, serve our natural resources, and sustain our way of life.”

In keeping with this year’s state fair theme — the Year of Forestry — lawmakers from the House and Senate competed against the executive branch in an intense lumberjack-style crosscut sawing competition. Representing the executive branch were State Forester Heather Slayton and Chief Operating Officer Brandon Gibson.

Sawing for the House were Chairman Chris Todd and Rusty Grills, taking on Senators Adam Lowe and Page Walley.

The event began with a demonstration and friendly competition among legislative staff, featuring teams of Robb Cagle and Tyler Muniz against James Held and Nick Jordan, with support from the Department of Agriculture. Once the competition began, the teams relied on rhythm and power to sever their “cookie” disc in seconds.

Afterward, the official results were announced: the House took third place, the Senate secured second place with a time of 35.7 seconds, and the executive team, led by Brandon Gibson, won first place with 32.1 seconds, earning a $1,000 donation to the Shooting Hunger program.

In addition to the friendly competition, a handful of farming families brought livestock, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, to display in live exhibits and field questions from attendees. Numerous booths showcased items from tractors to grain weevils to agritourism. Even Smokey Bear was there, representing the U.S. Forrest Service. Attendees were treated to complimentary steak, pork, and chicken biscuits as well as a steady supply of white and chocolate milk from the Middle Tennessee State University dairy and other local farms.

“It’s very important to be here today,” said Carter Major, a third-generation dairyman from Wilson County whose family milks about 170 cows and raises Holsteins, Jerseys, Brown Swiss, and Ayrshires. “People need to know more about the importance of farmland and our state’s farming industry. With more people moving in, there are only three dairies left in our county now. It’s good for them to see where their milk is coming from.”

Right next to Carter was Sarah Powell. Her family raises Hampshire, Southdown, Cheviot, and Dorset sheep on a 200-acre family farm and participates in about 15 shows annually to display their best genetics.

“This day is vital,” said Sarah. “Agriculture is what makes the world go ‘round, and people need to be educated about it. They need to understand where their food comes from and learn to respect farmers for what they do for Tennessee and what they do for America.”

On the morning of the event, the House Agriculture Committee simultaneously held a scheduled hearing and invited representatives from the ag community to participate. National FFA Southern Region Vice President T. Wayne Williams of Woodbury was recognized by the General Assembly for his national role in FFA. He addressed the crowd, sharing his experiences over the past four and a half months and highlighting his extensive travels, which included 26 flights and 11,700 miles. He urged the committee to consider the big picture when making decisions impacting the future of agriculture.

Carl Schultz of Tennemo Rice Company in Dyer County also spoke at the hearing. He expressed his thankfulness for the availability of Tennessee farm grants and said that receiving a grant in 2023 helped his family start their successful rice mill in 2023.

Ag Day on the Hill concluded with appreciation for the participants and a call for an FFA and 4-H group photo to commemorate the support for Tennessee agriculture.

Agriculture is Tennessee's top industry, contributing over a hundred billion dollars annually to the state's economy. Agriculture and forestry play a significant economic and cultural role. Forestry alone provides over 90,000 jobs and contributes 29 billion dollars in economic output.