Nourishing Tennessee: TCA Second Harvest Initiative Program

What is the Second Harvest Initiative Program? The Tennessee Cattlemen's Association's (TCA) Second Harvest Initiative Program is a collaborative venture that unites cattle producers, youth, and industry partners to combat hunger and provide essential nutrition to those in need. Our mission is to bridge the gap between food production and food access in our great state.   

How it works? Sponsors fund the purchase of the top-winning steers at Tennessee’s Junior Beef Expo. These steers are then processed, and their meat is donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB) in Nashville. SHFB distributes the beef to families in need. Since 2013, TCA with help from sponsors, has donated more than 20,000 pounds of beef to the needy.  





Our Objectives: 
  • Food Security: Our program focuses on supplying nutritious beef to individuals and families facing food insecurity.

  • Community Engagement: The Second Harvest Initiative fosters partnerships and engages local communities in the fight against hunger. By working together, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of our fellow Tennesseans. 

  • Empowering Youth: We encourage young people involved in agriculture to work hard on raising and showing their livestock with monetary incentives but also the incentive of ultimately helping members of their community and promoting beef while doing it. 

Why Choose the TCA Second Harvest Initiative?  

Here are the reasons to be part of this transformative program:  

  • Combating Hunger: By participating in our program, you directly contribute to addressing food insecurity in Tennessee, making a tangible difference in people's lives.  

  • Community Unity: The Second Harvest Initiative brings together youth involved in raising and exhibiting beef cattle, all while fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose in the fight against hunger in our state.  

  • Positive Impact: When you join us, you become an agent of change, helping to change the lives of Tennesseans in need, one meal of delicious and nutritious beef at a time.  

How Can You Get Involved? 

Whether you are a cattle producer, a industry organization, or an individual looking to make a difference, we are seeking sponsors to help cover the programs costs like the purchase of the prize-winning steers during the Tennessee Junior Beef Expo, processing, and more. Please contact TCA Director of Youth Programs and Outreach, Melinda Hart, for details.

What are the incentives of sponsorship?  

  • Press releases to local and state-wide media

  • Coverage in our magazine, the Tennessee Cattle Business  

  • Posts on our social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram      

  • Displays and acknowledgment at the Expo event.