TN SR0272

Rod Barnes received the 2025 National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Lifetime Achievement Award, one of only six individuals nationally to receive this honor

Barnes began teaching agricultural education at age 47 after working in production agriculture, serving 19 years at McNairy Central High School in Tennessee

Under his leadership, the program achieved state and national student recognition, developed greenhouse and sweet-corn enterprises, and established a new campus livestock learning center

Barnes taught dual-credit agriculture courses, mentored future agricultural educators, and established a scholarship endowment in honor of his son

The Tennessee Senate formally honors Barnes and extends congratulations for his contributions to agricultural education