CAMDEN, Tenn. (WKRN) — On Wednesday, Pick Tennessee Products hosted an event to celebrate producers in Benton County — and several key state leaders, including the newest appointment to the Department of Agriculture, were in attendance.

Gov. Bill Lee was among the top leaders at Wednesday's event, adding that the Camden celebration was part of the America 250 tour. That tour has been designed to preserve and celebrate state history as part of a broader effort to commemorate 250 years since the founding of the U.S.

At the event, Pick Tennessee Products featured Benton County-area producers. As part of the Department of Agriculture, Pick Tennessee Products works to connect Tennesseans to local producers like farmers, beekeepers and more. Sarah Emery Botwinick, Director of Pick Tennessee Products, told News 2 that the event was meant to bring community members together and uplift the producers of Benton County.

"This is what it's all about at the end of the day," Botwinick told News 2. "We want to promote these producers and get them in front of the right people to promote their brand and just continue telling the story of agriculture in Tennessee."

According to the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture's cooperative extension with Tennessee State University, Lee wasn't the only key state leader in attendance. Current commissioner for the Department of Agriculture, Dr. Charlie Hatcher, as well as Andy Holt, were also there. On Wednesday, Lee also announced that Holt was appointed commissioner and that the leadership transition would be effective Oct. 1.

"[Hatcher has] been, prior to that, served the state as the state veterinarian and I can't say enough about what he has done to advance agriculture — to elevate food production in this state and to help farmers from one end of the state to the other," Lee told News 2. "...[I'm] excited about Andy Holt, who has served in the department as well ... he understands the importance of farming and agriculture and the importance of public service."

Currently, Holt serves as Deputy Commissioner for the state Department of Agriculture after serving as the Director of Business Development for the department. Previously, he served as a representative for House District 78 in the state General Assembly. As a representative, Holt received threats for planning to give away an AR-15 and advocated for the arming of teachers in Tennessee schools.

In 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency filed a complaint against Holt for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act at his animal feeding operation facility related to the disposal of liquid manure into U.S. waterways. However, the complaint was dismissed in 2016.

Additionally, Holt went viral in 2016 after a Facebook video of him burning traffic camera citations was viewed by more than 1.3 million people. He later told News 2 that he believed cameras were an "inappropriate way for towns and cities to increase revenue."

To learn more about Pick Tennessee Products and ways to support local farmers, follow this link.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/leaders-old-new-pick-tn-products-event/