New Leadership Appointed to Tennessee Corn Promotion Board

(Dresden, Tennessee) - Tennessee Department of Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher recently appointed new members to the Tennessee Corn Promotion Board. The newly appointed board members were selected from a list of recommendations submitted by the Tennessee Corn Growers Association, the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, and the Tennessee Farmers Cooperative to replace those members of the Board of Directors whose terms are expiring.

Representing the Tennessee Corn Growers Association is Jonathan Tosh of Henry County. Jonathan Tosh is a partner at Tosh Farms, where the team manages over 18,000 acres of land. They grow a diverse range of crops, including white and yellow corn, soybeans, wheat, canola, rapeseed, and barley. Jonathan’s day-to-day responsibilities at the farm include overseeing inventory control, fleet maintenance, and information technology. In addition to his farming expertise, Jonathan is a Certified Instrument Flight Instructor and holds a private pilot’s license.

Representing the Tennessee Farm Bureau is Corbin Neas from Parrottsville, Tennessee. Corbin Neas operates 735 acres of corn and soybeans and manages 8 commercial broiler houses in Cocke County. He’s an active leader in his community, currently serving as the Young Farmers and Ranchers Chairman for the Cocke County Farm Bureau and was named Cocke County Young Farmer of the Year. He’s also a member of his regional co-op board and regularly attends both local and statewide Farm Bureau meetings where he served as a voting delegate for both the Young Farmers and Ranchers and TFBF business sessions. In 2024, Corbin placed 3 rd in the NCGA Corn Yield Contest in the No-Till Non-Irrigated class for Tennessee.

Representing Tennessee Farmers Cooperative is Robert Thompson from Niota, Tennessee. Robert Thompson farms 760 acres in Niota, a community in McMinn County. He is a fourth-generation farmer at Lane View Farms, which his family has owned since 1883. Robert specializes in corn, hay, and a cow/calf operation. He has been a Co-op member since 1982 and is currently serving as the President of the AgCentral Co-op Board of Directors. In 2008, Robert received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Agriculture and Forestry for his efforts in conservation. Robert and his wife, Lyn, have one son, Will.

“We are excited to welcome these dedicated and experienced individuals to the Tennessee Corn Promotion Board,” said Chairman John Townsend. “Their diverse expertise and commitment to agriculture will bring fresh perspectives and valuable insights to the board. We also want to extend our sincere gratitude to Andy Davis, Ben Gilbert, and Karl Forsbach for their outstanding service and contributions to the Board. Their dedication has helped shape the success of Tennessee’s corn industry, and we are thankful for their years of leadership.”

“I look forward to working with the incoming new board members and utilizing their leadership in advancing the interests of Tennessee’s corn growers,” said Amy McNeil, the Executive Director for Tennessee Corn Promotion Board.

The Tennessee Corn Promotion Board is funded through a producer checkoff investment of one-cent-per-bushel checkoff on all corn marketed in the state and is managed by nine farmer directors. The Tennessee Corn Promotion Board was created to implement a program of research, education, market development, and advertising to promote the increased production, consumption, and use of corn and the sale of Tennessee corn products.