August 14, 2003
Contact: Bud Grimes, University Relations
Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner to Highlight Festival Kickoff Luncheon
Martin, Tennessee — Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Ken Givens will be the keynote speaker Sept. 2 for the Mayor’s Kickoff Luncheon that officially opens the 10th Annual Tennessee Soybean Festival in Martin, Tenn. The luncheon, sponsored by Leland Powell Fasteners, will begin at noon in the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Boling University Center.
The 10th Annual Tennessee Soybean Festival, Sept. 2-7, is sponsored in part by the city of Martin, UT Martin, the Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council, First Citizens National Bank, MTD Products Inc., Rotary Club of Martin, Union City Coca-Cola Bottling Co., the Soybean Producers of Tennessee and Tyson.
National banjo champion, comedian, member of the Grand Ole Opry and West Tennessee native Mike Snider will emcee the event.
Givens was appointed by Gov. Phil Bredesen and assumed the office as Tennessee’s 34th Commissioner of Agriculture on January 18, 2003. A native of Rogersville, where his family operates a 350-acre diversified beef cattle and tobacco farm, he is a member of the American Legion and the Hawkins County Cattlemen’s Association. The commissioner is a U.S. Army veteran and earned his bachelor’s degree in history and political science as well as his master’s degree in political science from East Tennessee State University.
He is a former State Representative and House Agriculture Committee Chairman. He was the House of Representatives’ designee and served for four years on the Tennessee Tobacco Farmers Certifying Board, which administers Phase II tobacco settlement dollars to growers. During his 14 years in the House, he was instrumental in passing key legislation related to agriculture.
Givens was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 1988. He served as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee from 1997 to 2002. In addition to agricultural issues, he took a special interest in children’s health care issues.
As commissioner of agriculture, Givens serves on The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees, the Board of Regents for the State University and Community College System, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission.
Luncheon tickets are $12 each. Tickets can be purchased at Martin City Hall, at (731) 587 3126; or at the C.E. Weldon Public Library in Martin, at (731) 881-3148.
For festival information, call (731) 588-2507. Complete Tennessee Soybean Festival information is available on the Web at www.tnsoybeanfestival.org.
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