(a) There is established the Tennessee agriculture and forestry hall of fame board by transfer and expansion of the duties and responsibilities of the Tennessee agricultural hall of fame board. The board consists of nine (9) members.
(b) Effective July 1, 2025, the existing membership of the Tennessee agricultural hall of fame board is vacated and reconstituted as the Tennessee agriculture and forestry hall of fame board, with the members of the board to be appointed as follows:(1) The commissioner of agriculture or the commissioner's designee;(2) The senior vice chancellor of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture;(3) The dean of Tennessee State University College of Agriculture;(4) The president of the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation;(5) The Tennessee FFA State Director;(6) One (1) member from the middle grand division appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;(7) One (1) member from the eastern grand division appointed by the speaker of the senate;(8) One (1) member from the western grand division appointed by the governor; and(9) One (1) member from the state at-large appointed by the governor.
(1) The commissioner of agriculture or the commissioner's designee;
(2) The senior vice chancellor of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture;
(3) The dean of Tennessee State University College of Agriculture;
(4) The president of the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation;
(5) The Tennessee FFA State Director;
(6) One (1) member from the middle grand division appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(7) One (1) member from the eastern grand division appointed by the speaker of the senate;
(8) One (1) member from the western grand division appointed by the governor; and
(9) One (1) member from the state at-large appointed by the governor.
(c) The persons appointed under subdivisions (b)(6)–(9) shall demonstrate significant ties to agriculture or forestry in this state by engagement in agricultural or forestry business, science, or engineering or by employment or service with an entity that serves the conservation of natural resources or betterment of farming or forestry interests.
(d) To stagger the terms of the newly appointed board members, the appointing authorities shall make initial appointments as follows:(1) The person appointed under subdivision (b)(6) is appointed for a term of six (6) years, which expires on June 30, 2031;(2) The person appointed under subdivision (b)(7) is appointed for a term of four (4) years, which expires on June 30, 2029; and(3) The persons appointed under subdivisions (b)(8) and (9) are appointed for terms of two (2) years, which expire on June 30, 2027.
(1) The person appointed under subdivision (b)(6) is appointed for a term of six (6) years, which expires on June 30, 2031;
(2) The person appointed under subdivision (b)(7) is appointed for a term of four (4) years, which expires on June 30, 2029; and
(3) The persons appointed under subdivisions (b)(8) and (9) are appointed for terms of two (2) years, which expire on June 30, 2027.
(e) Members serving on the Tennessee agricultural hall of fame board as of June 30, 2025, may be reappointed to serve as members of the Tennessee agriculture and forestry hall of fame board after such date.
(f) (1) Members, except as provided in subsection (d) and those appointed to complete the term of a former member, are appointed to full six-year terms, or until their successors are appointed.(2) Following the expiration of the members' initial terms as prescribed in subsection (d), all six-year terms begin on July 1, and terminate on June 30, six (6) years thereafter. Vacancies must be filled by the respective appointing authority.
(1) Members, except as provided in subsection (d) and those appointed to complete the term of a former member, are appointed to full six-year terms, or until their successors are appointed.
(2) Following the expiration of the members' initial terms as prescribed in subsection (d), all six-year terms begin on July 1, and terminate on June 30, six (6) years thereafter. Vacancies must be filled by the respective appointing authority.
(g) The board shall elect from its membership a chair, whose term is for one (1) year. The board may elect such other officers as it considers necessary for the efficient operation of the board.
(h) The board is administratively attached to the department of agriculture.
(i) Five (5) members of the board constitutes a quorum.
(j) All board members serve without compensation.
(k) The commissioner of agriculture shall call the first meeting of the board on or after July 1, 2025. Subsequent meetings of the board are at the call of the chair.