FFA TODAY: Tennessee FFA President Sets His Sights on National Leadership

Let’s meet an inspiring young farmer leading the Tennessee FFA this year, but now has his sights set on the National stage.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — T. Wayne Williams, a fourth-generation cattle producer and current Tennessee FFA president, is competing for a spot on the 2025-2026 National FFA Officer Team.

Williams joined us in the studio during Monday’s Market Day Report to talk about his agricultural journey so far. In his interview on FFA Today, he explained what it is like to attend the National FFA Convention and Expo, his favorite parts of the annual event, and the process behind running for National FFA Officer.

Williams also shared what inspired him to run for the national leadership position and the goals he hopes to accomplish if elected. Lastly, he talked about his experience serving as Tennessee FFA President, the lessons he learned from the opportunity, and the challenges he has faced in FFA that helped shape his future vision for the National FFA Organization.

Related Stories
Jack Daniel’s will end its Cow Feeder Program, which served around 100 livestock operations near the distillery, and redirect spent grains to its anaerobic digester.
Software developers at John Deere Digital are addressing challenges with their new Operations Center, which helps farmers make decisions on the fly.
Catch the special, “Praise and Worship: More Than a Hollow Hallelujah,” on The Gaither Gospel Hour, Friday at 8 PM ET only on RFD-TV!
National FFA Organization Chief Program Officer Christine White previews the programs and activities planned for this year’s FFA Convention.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated this week that the government will intervene to help, following China’s withdrawal from the U.S. soybean market. One trader says the industry will remain in a holding pattern until Tuesday.
Evan Keppy, a member of Iowa’s North Scott FFA Chapter, shares how the National FFA Organization helped shape his leadership skills.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer joins us to provide an updated analysis of projected ARC and PLC payments and potential delays due to the ongoing government shutdown.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Leslee Oden, president of the National Turkey Federation, and Jay Jandrain, CEO of Butterball, joined us in the studio on Monday to discuss the history, significance, and expectations surrounding this year’s presidential turkey pardon.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) estimates that the move will save farmers and ranchers $2.5 billion each year. The group warns that new methods for calculating the adverse-effect wage rate would result in lower pay for foreign workers.
Higher rail tariffs and tighter Canadian supplies will keep oat transportation costs firm into 2026.
These “USDA Foods” are provided to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) nutrition assistance programs, including food banks that operate The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and are a vital component of the nation’s food safety net.
Tyson’s closure reflects deep supply shortages in the U.S. cattle industry, tightening packing capacity, weakening competition, and signaling more volatility ahead for cow-calf producers and feedyards.
Gary Hall, co-founder of Hollywood Impact Studios Rehabilitation, joined the program to discuss using agriculture to provide opportunities and mentorship for at-risk youth in Southern California.