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 competition 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…