Murfreesboro, TN - The Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association (TCA) presented the Outstanding Youth Award to two remarkable individuals for their exceptional leadership and commitment to the beef cattle industry. The senior division award went to Rutherford County’s Haylee Ferguson and East Tennessee’s Ellie Hensley took the junior division. The honors were presented at TCA’s annual convention held here in Murfreesboro at the Embassy Suites Conference and Convention Center.

The TCA Outstanding Youth Award is designed to recognize a well-rounded individual in the cattle industry. Winners are selected based on their presence in the cattle industry, both the show ring and production aspect, their involvement in their community and service to others, academics, and their plans for making a contribution to the cattle industry in the future.

“The TCA Outstanding Youth Award is another way for us to recognize youth who are excelling in the beef cattle industry,” said Luke Teeple, TCA Board of Director and Outstanding Youth Award sponsor. “These individuals work hard to manage their own cattle herds, are active in 4-H and FFA, and serve in their community. They deserve to be recognized for their extraordinary efforts.”

The SENIOR DIVISION award for ages 17-21 went to Rutherford County’s Haylee Ferguson from Rockvale. The prize included $1,000 cash and a trophy belt buckle from Oakdale Farms.

JUNIOR DIVISION honors for ages 12-16 went to Ellie Hensley from Unicoi. That included $250 along with the trophy belt buckle.

Local agriculture student Haylee Ferguson said, “I am truly honored to receive the Outstanding Youth Award from the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association alongside many industry peers and role models who have been past recipients. As a youth member of TCA, I have witnessed the benefits of networking with others in the field, and I hope to set an example for generations to come.” 

Those eligible for the award must complete an application that outlines their involvement in the cattle industry thus far and state how they plan to stay involved in the industry in the future. They must also list their leadership roles and community involvement. The application must be endorsed by their Extension Agent, Agriculture Education Teacher, or county Cattlemen’s Association president. Applicants must also be a paid member of the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Youth Association. 

Applications for the 2025 TCA Outstanding Youth Award will be available in the fall of 2025.

The Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association was founded in 1985 and has more than 5,100 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.