One of the Midsouth chapter goals this year was to do more to celebrate National Ag Day to support one of their key pillars – Advocacy. They joined the Agricenter International of Tennessee and the Shelby County University of Tennessee Extension Institute of Agriculture in their celebration.

Each year the Agricenter Board and the UT Extension office hold an Ag Day poster contest for area schools, grades 3 through 8.  This year’s theme was “Agriculture: Fielding Our Dreams.” The Midsouth chapter sponsored the poster contest by covering the costs of the framing and helping to judge the entries.  The winners were recognized at a luncheon, held on Ag Day at the Agricenter.  Over 20 Midsouth chapter members attended, along with winners’ parents and teachers.  In addition to this, Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell, Shelby County Commissioner David Reaves and Ed Harlan, of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, were on hand to deliver certificates of recognition.  Chapter President Lesley Landry was able to address the attendees to say a few words about NAMA, the organization and its purpose.  To frame this for the students she explained: “We like farmers.  We like to sell them things.  And then we like to get together and talk about selling them things.”

The event went really well and the Agricenter Board expressed sincere appreciation for our sponsorship.  The Midsouth chapter was honored to be recognized in front of key city officials as well as the students and teachers.  They look forward to doing this again next year!

John Charles Wilson, president of Agricenter International congratulating 3^rd place winner of 7^th-8^th grade division.

Lesley Landry congratulates 1^st place winner of 3^rd-4^th grade division

Winning family and teacher with crowd