MIDDLE TENNESSEE families are benefiting for the 10th consecutive year from an initiative of the Tennessee Cattleman’s Association (TCA) with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Farm Credit Mid-America (FCMA), a partner since the program’s inception, found the program intersected with the company’s commitment to our community and its youth.
Shane Williams is more than a senior financial officer at FCMA; he’s a lifetime farmer and agricultural education advocate.
Williams said, “I’ve always been engaged in the beef industry. I grew up on a farm in East Tennessee. My mom’s family raised dairy cattle, and my dad’s family raised beef cattle, so all I’ve ever known is cows. I had a passion for agriculture and got a lot of support from my Future Farmers of America (FFA) advisor, my 4-H agent, and others around me. So I became very appreciative of folks who helped me, and that passion led me to want to be an ag teacher.”
With that desire in his heart, Williams set his sights on a vocational path fulfilling it.
“So I went to the University of Tennessee and thought I was going to be an ag teacher and work with kids. I was an FFA state officer after high school, and that kind of led to that passion. When I was in college, I interned with some companies just to learn more about agriculture, and one of those companies was Farm Credit Mid-America. From there, I fell in love with the service side of Farm Credit Mid-America and found my niche in life. I’ve worked for Farm Credit Mid-America for over 30 years now. I’m just proud to be a farmer and be with a company that still has a passion for wanting to help youth in agriculture and to be part of something that gives back to my community and has an impact as well,” he said.
Here’s the intersection of Williams’ passions: his job at FCMA, his ag teacher dream, and his role on the TCA board.
A July 14, 2022 story on the TCA website states: “The Second Harvest Initiative creates a win-win opportunity for TCA,” said Melinda Perkins, 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 Second Harvest Initiative started while Williams served on the TCA board of directors. The opportunity developed as he remembered those who helped him early in a beef project.
Williams said, “The TCA board members felt passionate about the Tennessee beef industry helping those in need. Plus, I was in a position to collaborate with other ag industry leaders and help raise money for the project with Farm Credit Mid-America, which became one of the leading sponsors.”
The Tennessee Junior Beef Expo is the beef industry’s capstone event for young ag students. At the Expo, FCMA purchased the 2022 grand champion steer from student Parker Saum for $5,000. But that’s not the end; it’s the beginning.
Saum’s steer and five others were purchased and harvested by Anderson Meat and Processing in Hartsville, Tennessee. Shortly after that, FCMA, the TCA, and members of area FFA and 4-H delivered the beef to Second Harvest, which will help feed the community.
Williams said about the importance of the programs working together, “The farmers are helping feed those in need. We’re helping young people get a start in agriculture, and we want to give back to those who give to us. The more we can do for young people in America and help them, the better we are. At Farm Credit Mid-America and on the TCA board, if we can do things that give young people more opportunities to develop life skills and help them succeed, then we’re achieving our mission. It’s not only about showing an animal. There are opportunities for these kids to give speeches and their sales talks and judge animals, so it’s not just about the money.”
Jonathan Boyce of the Shelbyville FCMA office knows the benefit of the program and other youth activities FCMA sponsors benefiting Second Harvest.
“Our partnership with TCA is something we’re excited to be a part of because we get to support the cattleman’s beef industry when we purchase the prize steer at the Ag Expo, and we’re excited to support the young folks as they are out there showing their cattle. And then, of course, the beef goes to a good cause with Second Harvest after it’s processed, so it’s a good cause all the way around,” Boyce said.
He added, “We’ve also partnered with Second Harvest at an event called Shooting for Hunger that we do every year in Nashville, Tennessee, and we do it in West and East Tennessee. It’s extremely fun and exciting. We shoot sporting clays, and then all the proceeds go to Second Harvest.”
Helping the youth in the community continue their agriculture ventures, working to combat hunger in our communities, and supporting the state’s farmers now and in the future is a perfect circle for FCMA.
Boyce said, “To support the youth involved in agriculture who are going to be tomorrow’s leaders and the Second Harvest Initiative and help out those who are hungry in our communities is a win-win. I think it’s awesome that we get to participate in that.”
As it states on its website, FCMA is “securing the future of rural communities and agriculture,” and the partnership with TCA and Second Harvest is fulfilling that mission. GN
