Tennessee AG Reunion 2009

The 2009 Tennessee AG Reunion was held on June 13 with 178 people attending from 4 states.  One couple, from Oxford, England, were visiting relatives in the states and had a great time seeing this part of Americana. Good food, lots of fellowship and entertainment were enjoyed by everyone attending.

The event was held on the Fentress County farm of former extension agent and TN Dept of Agriculture marketing director, Charlie Whitehead in the Allardt community of Fentress County.  It was good to see old timers such as Bill Tyrrell, former specialist with the UT Agricultural Extension Service, who is 93 and still has a special interest in agriculture. Bill’s former co-worker and popular stockman Joe Houston was also there. Professor Ed Lidvall was reunited with his 1956 University of Tennessee Livestock Judging Team.

Agricultural people like to tell a good story and some of them can be pretty tall and hard to believe. In addition to all the stories told in small groups during the reunion, Rodger Pile, former director of the Montgomery County Extension Service took the microphone and told some entertaining stories. One of Rodger’s team members on the 1956 UT Livestock Judging Team, Paul Enoch, a veterinarian in Gallatin, would not take a back seat to anyone’s story telling and told his own story of brothers talking out of the corners of their mouths. The Brotherhood Quartet composed of bass singer Charlie Whitehead and three Fentress County residents entertained the group with some gospel music. Charlie was also a member of the 1956 UT Livestock Judging Team. Other quartet members were Freeman King, owner of King’s Hardware in Jamestown, Sam Beattie, retired teacher and basketball coach at York Institute and Jim Kirby, UT agricultural graduate and businessman in Jamestown. Jim’s daughter Leslie accompanied the group on the keyboard.

Dr. David Hunter, now a professional entertainer and former economist with the extension service got a standing ovation with his exceptional entertaining and motivational talent. Lacy Upchurch, president of the Tennessee Farm Bureau wrapped it up by looking backward a little and emphasizing the challenges ahead for agriculture. Lacy has some experience in looking backward, since he rode all the way to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma looking backward in a Pontiac Tempest station wagon as a member of the state winning 4-H Land Judging Team in the early 1960’s.

A BBQ meal was provided by Harry Bryan Jr. (MS Ag Econ and Vice President of Nisus Corporation) and wife April,  consisting of beef brisket, pulled pork and all the trimmings. Harry’s hobby is the BBQ circuit and has competed at the American Royal in Kansas City. He got his start as a winner in the 4-H meat cookery contest 30 years ago.

This reunion was organized and sponsored by former University of Tennessee agricultural extension agents, Charlie Whitehead and Harry Bryan along with their wives, Angelina and Laura. Just in case anyone was wondering about the connection between Charlie and Harry, they are brother's in law. Harry married Charlie's younger sister, Laura, in 1958. If another reunion of this kind is held, Charlie and Harry will be glad to serve as consultants.

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