NWIAA Tennessee Chair Leaders
Vivian Williams
Phone: (865) 455-2851
Vivian Williams was raised on a farm in Cuba, Alabama where she and her family currently raise vegetables and are working toward conversion to goat husbandry. She resides in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Vivian is a child advocate, who worked for Project GRAD and the Knox County School system until her retirement in May, 2013. She is an active Cub Scout leader with the Boy Scouts of America where she uses her time to educate boys about production of healthy food and agricultural skills.
Vivian’s objectives as the East Tennessee Chapter chairwoman include outreach, workshops, farm tours, and addressing the local food desert. The National Women in Agriculture Association has provided contacts and resources to make these objectives a reality.
Marius Blake
Email: Blake.Marius@yahoo.com
Phone: (901) 607-1094
Born in Memphis, TN, Marius Blake is a Community Leader, Entrepreneur, Builder, & Outdoor Enthusiast. Growing up in the impoverished community of Hyde Park within Memphis, TN, Marius experienced a lot of hardships that could’ve led him down a different path. With the guidance and love of a praying grandmother and church members who were like family, Marius beat the odds to become a leader. Graduating from Northside HS led him to a career in Cosmetology as a barber and stylist. As a barber, he was able to minister and help many men and women in the community with his giving spirit by hosting food drives, clothing drives, and family events. These actions, not fueled by anything other than a love to see people win, caught the attention of many of his friends who encouraged him to convert his love into a 501c3. Marius has expanded his efforts to include creating more community gardens, and events for children to cultivate their love for community, earth, and other humans. The Annual Fishing Rodeo is just one example of an event that brings joy and awareness to our natural resources here in the Bluff city. Marius has been a person we can all aspire to be like: One that uses his talents to bless others in a mighty way!
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Jessie Lumpkins
Email: jessie.c.hartle@gmail.com
Phone: (615) 782-2073
Jessie Lumpkins grew up in Castalian Springs, TN, graduating from Gallatin HS in ‘05 and MTSU in ‘09 with a BS in Agribusiness. She was a high school agriculture teacher at Page and McGavock High Schools from 2009-2019, with courses running the gambit from floral design to veterinary science. She became a National Board Certified educator in Career and Technical Education in 2018.
She enjoyed nurturing robust FFA chapters at both schools, with McGavock being the first FFA chapter in Tennessee to win the distinction of Models of Excellence (Top 10 Chapters in the Nation) in 2017. In 2018, she was named CTE (Career and Technical Education) Teacher of the Year for Metro Nashville Public Schools. She has also worked in agriculture education non-profits as a program and communications manager, curriculum designer, and professional development facilitator before serving in her current role as Farm to Families Coordinator at Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.
Jessie has a passion for connecting people and creating community. She is a member of Harvest Point Church in White House, Tennessee. In her free time, she enjoys thrifting, baking, woodworking, and attending concerts. On weekends you can find her watching football, hockey, and baseball with her husband Shane and their three cats.
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