FEATURED NEWS FROM THE TENNESSEE CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION


TCA Talk’s On The Farm Series Debuts By Featuring Award-Winner Aubie Smith

TCA Talk, the Official Podcast of the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association, is launching a new series entitled On The Farm, which will take viewers onsite to feature cattle producers who are also TCA members.  


For the premiere edition of On The Farm, TCA Talk travels to Aubie Smith Farms in Ooltewah, Tenn. Shortly after his On The Farm interview was recorded, Aubie Smith earned the honor of being named the Farmer of the Year for East Tennessee. The award was presented by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture and the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation.

Through TCA Talk’s On The Farm segment,  you’ll meet Aubie and hear his inspiring story of how he was called to lead his family’s multi-generational farming operation at just 21 years old following the passing of his father. Aubie recalls the challenges of those early days as he was running the cattle operation and overseeing the farm while also working part-time for UPS and continuing to take classes to earn his college degree. 

Aubie takes us through the evolution of the operation through the 90s, the 2000s, and into the present day, including how he built relationships with key contacts in beef production and what he learned along the way. You’ll also learn how Aubie expanded the scope of the farm to incorporate new streams of revenue over the years to include agritourism and crops, such as sunflowers, strawberries, pumpkins, and tulips. 

 Following his first opportunity to see his On The Farm segment, Aubie told TCA Talk, “This was the best video that has been done on my farm. It was really great. I am proud to be a member of TCA, and I hope the video gets shared out many times.” 

Aubie values his membership with the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association, and he discusses how the TCA has helped him and his operation through providing timely information and effective advocacy over the years. Through the On The Farm segment, Aubie shares some advice and his business philosophy for those interested in entering production agriculture. He notes that it’s important to research what performs best in local markets, treat the operation as a business, and, in these times when land prices can be a barrier to getting started, Aubie advises looking for opportunities to work with existing farms.

Feeding the Hungry While Supporting Youth in Agriculture

Melinda Hart | July 17, 2025

FEEDING THE HUNGRY WHILE SUPPORTING YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE

Murfreesboro, TN – At the Tennessee Junior Beef Expo in Lebanon, Tenn., July 10 through July 12, the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association (TCA), with help from industry partners, purchased three show steers at a premium price. In the following days, the cattle were harvested for beef at Anderson Meats and Processing in Hartsville, Tenn. The meat will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. This will equate to over 2,000 pounds of beef for the local community. 

“The Second Harvest Initiative creates a win-win opportunity for TCA,” said Melinda Hart, Director of Youth Programs and Outreach for TCA. “We are able to reward the youth exhibitors for their hard work while serving a larger purpose and supplying a nutrient-rich beef product to those in need.” 

The TCA Second Harvest Initiative started in 2013. With the help of industry partners, TCA was able to coordinate the purchase of three steers from State Beef Expo. Those partners included: 

$7,500 - Farm Credit Mid-America - (3rd Overall Market Steer: Ella Coleman, Houston Co.)   

$6,000 - H&R Agri-Power and Swallows Insurance Agency - (Champion Angus Market Steer: Roland Springer, Wilson Co.)   

$5,000 - United Livestock Commodities and TriGreen Equipment - (Brantley Johnston, Claiborne Co.)   

$3,000 - 2025 Beef Processing Sponsor – Anderson Meats & Processing 

TCA also awarded nearly $15,000 in premiums for class and showmanship winners, as well as for the skill-a-thon competitors. In total, sponsors and TCA gave over $35,000 in award premiums. 

“We are always looking for ways to support our 4-H and FFA youth and their efforts to show cattle,” said Hart. “If your company would like to be involved, please get in touch with a TCA representative.”   

TCA was founded in 1985 and has more than 5,000 members from across the state and the southeast. The organization works to provide the cattlemen of Tennessee with an organization through which they may function collectively to protect their interests and work toward the solution of cattle industry problems and to build the necessary goodwill that will bring both governmental esteem and recognition to the industry.   

###   

For more information visit www.tncattle.org, email [email protected] or call (615) 896-2333. Be sure to follow the TCA on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/tncattle, Instagram, and Twitter accounts: @TennesseeCattle.