Regional Winners of Tennessee Farmer of the Year Competition Announced

The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture and the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation are pleased to announce the regional winners of the 2026 Tennessee Farmer of the Year competition. From tulips, strawberries, melons, cattle and pigs, to wheat, soybeans, corn and pumpkins, these three producers represent the best of Tennessee's broad agricultural and forestry production.

The East Tennessee regional winner is Aubie Smith of Aubie Smith Farms in Ooltewah. The Middle Tennessee regional winner is Willis Jepson of Jepson Family Farm in Orlinda, and the West Tennessee regional winner is James Roberson representing Roberson's Family Farm in Somerville.

The competion is a new collaboration of the Tennessee Farm Bureau and UT Extension to recognize the leadership, innovation and individual contributions of our state's producers to Tennessee's agricultural prominence. From these three regional honorees, one exemplary producer will be named the 2026 Tennessee Farmer of the Year.

Justin Rhinehart, dean of UT Extension says, "The new Tennessee Farmer of the Year program brings needed recognition to the state's top producers and top industry. UT Extension is proud to support those who work in agriculture and natural resources businesses with resources that assist with sound management decisions that support their families, communities, our environment and our state."

Eric Mayberry, president of the Tennessee Farm Bureau, adds, "The Tennessee Farm Bureau is proud to partner with UTIA to showcase Tennessee's most important industry through this competition. We congratulate the three regional finalists and look forward to naming the Tennessee Farmer of the Year in June."

Like many of the state's farmers and each of the regional winners, East Tennessee's Aubie Smith combines multiple operations to make his farm profitable. "My operation combines cattle production, specialty crops and agritourism. Since its humble beginnings as a small cow/calf operation in the early 1990's, my farming operation has grown into a diversified agricultural destination that bridges traditional production and modern agritourism." Today, the farm includes a 175-head brood cow operation and 17 acres of strawberries and pumpkins, and a sunflower festival in the summer. Smith also developed custom silage bagging and harvesting services to support the local agricultural community. The farm also contributes to the surrounding community. "This year marks our third year hosting a tulip festival, increasing from 30,000 to 150,000 tulip plantings for this season," says Smith.

Willis Jepson, the Middle Tennessee regional winner, represents his family's seventh generation on the original family home place."Our family began farming in the area in 1806. We farm in Robertson and Sumner counties in Tennessee and Simpson County in Kentucky. Today our operation has grown to include corn, soybeans, wheat, tobacco, canola, watermelons and pumpkins." Jepson says most of his commodities go into standard end uses. The wheat is sold to make flour. The soybean crop is raised for seed production, and much of the corn is sold to mills for making livestock feed. However, some of his corn is sold for ethanol production, and the canola is grown under contract to be used for next generation biofuels.

The West Tennessee regional winner, James Roberson, says the primary enterprise on his farm is raising Black Angus beef cattle. He utilizes managed pasture systems supported by hay and forage production, emphasizing animal health, forage efficiency and sustainable practices that support both productivity and long-term farm viability. He also produces pork. "Our farm reflects a strong commitment to preserving agricultural heritage while building a future-focused operation that can be sustained for generations to come," he says. "We focus heavily on direct-to-consumer sales and educating the public about how beef and pork are raised." To further support local agriculture and the local food system, Roberson opened a local meat market, The Fancy Cow, which allows him along with other producers to market products directly to consumers.

The overall Tennessee Farmer of the Year will be named in June following farm visits conducted by a selection committee comprised of industry leaders from across the state.