Director of Youth Programs & Outreach

Melinda Hart

[email protected]

Melinda coordinates all of the Tennessee Cattlemen's Association’s (TCA) youth programs, including Tennessee’s Top Tier, the Youth Ambassador program, the youth beef industry tour, and various youth award opportunities. Her role involves creating and overseeing educational, networking, and leadership initiatives that promote youth involvement and membership within TCA. Additionally, Melinda organizes the TCA Second Harvest Initiative and collaborates with industry partners to establish valuable partnerships and secure support.


As a key member of the TCA team, Melinda also assists with general outreach efforts and can be credited with creating and leading the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program. She represents TCA on several committees within the Tennessee agricultural community, contributing to the association's growth and influence. 


Melinda, along with her husband Jared, resides in Springville, Tennessee, on her family’s fifth-generation farm. They manage a 15-head registered Hereford operation, alongside her family’s 65-head herd of registered Shorthorn and commercial cattle, and help with hay production. Melinda graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2017 with a degree in Agriculture, focusing on Agricultural Communications, and a minor in Animal Science. She earned her master’s degree in Agricultural Education from Murray State University in 2022. Melinda has been with TCA since January 2018.

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