Camden Farmer is National Winner of Excellence in Agriculture

McKENZIE (August 23) - Justin Hargrove of Camden visited Peppers Ford Friday and left in style thanks to the recognition of his hard work and contributions to farming by the American Farm Bureau Federation and Ford Motor Company.

The cattle farmer is this year's winner of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture competition, announced in January at the American Farm Bureau’s 105th Convention in Salt Lake City. Young farmers and ranchers from across the country competed for the awards by demonstrating knowledge, achievement and commitment to promoting agriculture.

For his win, the Ford Motor Company allotted Hargrove $35,000 toward the purchase of a vehicle. With the assistance of Peppers Ford sales associate Kenny McBride, Hargrove ordered a custom-built, 2024 F-250 Lariat in March.

The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation, but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.

Hargrove competed against 26 contestants from across the country to be named national winner.

Hargrove is an extension agent in Benton County and a third-generation farmer in Camden where he raises beef cattle alongside his father, Steve, on Hargrove Farms. He and his wife, Alli, have two sons, a two-year-old and a newborn.

"It's been an absolute whirlwind," Hargrove told The Banner. "I've been a part of Tennessee Young Farmers and Ranchers since I was 18, and I've served at the state level in a few different capacities. I was very fortunate to be able to take part in the Excellence in Ag contest last year and won at the state level. First of all, I never thought I'd be able to win it at the state level, so I was absolutely blown away to win at the national level. I'm incredibly grateful to all of the Farm Bureau staff here in Tennessee. They helped me out so very much and encouraged me to grow and get outside my comfort zone. And then at the national level, I'm especially grateful to Ford for being our national corporate sponsorship of that program. Without companies like Ford and those corporate sponsors to help encourage young farmers to get out there and grow and better themselves, programs like this simply wouldn't be possible. So I just can't brag on them enough."