The 2025-26 National FFA Officer Team installation during the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo.

“Success is about us. Significance is about others,” says T. Wayne Williams. “When we use our talents to uplift people, that’s when we make a lasting difference.”

An FFA Journey Cultivated Through Support

Newly elected 2025-26 National FFA Southern Region Vice President T. Wayne Williams’ FFA journey is full of purpose, aspiration and servant leadership. Williams comes from a fourth-generation beef cattle operation farm in Woodbury, Tenn.

Williams recognizes his grandfather and father, who both urged him to take an agriculture class freshman year. Thinking it would be just another easy elective, he was unaware of the numerous skills he would develop. Williams credits his agriculture teacher, Emily Haley, with igniting his FFA career by encouraging him to fill out a chapter officer application.

“She hands me that application back and says, ‘Fill this out, and it’s gonna change your life,’” Williams says. Despite not being familiar with the FFA acronyms, he filled the form out, and soon became the chapter sentinel. From then on, his journey began to grow. 

Finding Confidence in the Blue Corduroy Jacket

Just a bit of encouragement from others sparks confidence — even if, in the moment, it seems humorous.

When asked what moment in FFA made him realize this is something he was truly passionate about, Williams reflected on his first state convention. Referring back to being the shy freshman, he was pushed by his FFA advisors to rap the FFA Creed in front of 4,000 members in the first general session.

That moment pushed him out of his comfort zone, but it was not just that experience that made him realize FFA was going to be transformative to his life; it was the next three days of convention. Williams highlights the impact members, teachers and supporters left on him, saying, “They provided me with so much love, so much encouragement and so much support for taking one step outside of my comfort zone.”

“Just One”

Now, as a national officer, Williams holds on and commits his year following two words: “Just One.” His objective is to make a positive difference in at least one member’s life as he continues his year of service.

“You’re the luckiest national officer to ever live because you got to make a difference in an FFA member’s life,” he adds.

Encouraging the Next Generation of Agriculturists

Williams gives his best piece of advice to members who are seeking chapter, state or national office that he learned from a mentor: “There is a lot of power in having tired feet,” Williams says. “That means one, you showed up. That means two, you served others. And three, you gave something of yourself to somebody else.”

He urges others to realize that whether one is elected or not does not define who they are. It is not about the title that you hold, but about others and giving back. He draws into focus that national office should not be the peak of someone’s life, but a time to help others grow.

“If I’m remembered in the next 10 or 15 years as a person who served as a state or national officer, then in my eyes, I’ve done something completely wrong,” he says. “I want to be remembered as a person who spreads love, kindness, joy and laughter wherever they go.” 

Listen to Williams’ Full Story

Tune in to more inspiring messages and laughs with Williams on YouTube and Spotify on the Sow and Serve Podcast.