Gabe Harville from Smith County, Tenn., is a fifth-generation cattle farmer, FFA member and someone who found his future through agriculture.
When Harville talks about his roots, you can hear the pride in his voice. Growing up on a beef cattle operation that’s been in his family for generations, he learned early the value of hard work, responsibility and community. But it wasn’t just the farm that shaped him — the blue corduroy jacket and the network of youth leadership organizations helped him find his place in the world.
“FFA and 4-H have been part of my life as long as I can remember,” Harville says. “They gave me more than skills — they gave me confidence, leadership and lifelong friendships with people who believe in the same way of life I do.”
Through FFA, Harville found the spark that would ignite a series of personal achievements. He recalls one of the most pivotal moments in his journey: attending the Tennessee FFA Forestry Camp.
“That experience changed everything,” he says. “We dove into silviculture, dendrology and tree measurement, which gave me knowledge I wanted to use right away. I took what I learned back to 4-H and led our Smith County Forestry Judging Team to nationals. We placed third in the nation!”
But that wasn’t all. Harville also served as captain of the Forestry Bowl team — an intense, quiz bowl-style competition at the National 4-H Forestry Invitational.
“Tennessee had never won it before, but we did,” he says. “We became National Forestry Bowl Champions. That moment still gives me chills.”
His story doesn’t stop with forestry; his real passion lies in public speaking — something that started with a bit of disappointment.
“My first FFA public speaking contest didn’t go the way I hoped,” Harville says. “I placed third in District Extemporaneous Speaking. Instead of giving up, I listened to the judges’ feedback and worked harder.”
That dedication paid off. Harville went on to win the Tennessee 4-H Public Speaking Championship, earning him a trip to Western National Roundup in Denver, Colo. There, he was named National 4-H Impromptu Speech Reserve Champion and National 4-H Prepared Public Speaking Champion.
Harville smiles with his award at the Tennessee 4-H Public Speaking Championship.
“It all started with that FFA competition,” he says. “The critiques, the push — it set the stage for everything else.”
His communication skills didn’t just win him awards — they helped him lead. As a freshman, he served as treasurer for the Smith County FFA Chapter, where he learned parliamentary procedure. These skills came in handy when he was elected Tennessee 4-H Congress Speaker of the House, which included presiding over mock legislative sessions in the Tennessee State Capitol.
“I never imagined myself standing at the Speaker’s podium,” he says. “But thanks to FFA, I knew exactly how to lead.”
Harville’s journey reflects the deep connection between FFA and 4-H, which he’s worked to strengthen.
“At the 97th Tennessee FFA State Convention, I had the honor of representing 4-H on stage in front of thousands of FFA members,” he says. “The bond between these two organizations is powerful. Together, they’ve shaped who I am today.”
Harville is a living example of what FFA can do — how the lessons, the leadership and the jacket stay with you long after the final gavel drop. His story is a call to action for students everywhere to lean into the opportunities, embrace the feedback and never stop growing.
“You might start out wearing the blue jacket,” he says. “But the person you become because of it? That’s something you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life.”
