A Lifetime of Service, an Interview with Glenda Rickman

We have a strong Tennessee Hereford Association because of our members who are willing to work hard and go the extra mile. Glenda Rickman has been going the extra mile for Hereford breeders in Tennessee and across the nation for many years. She is always quick with a smile and an offer to help. Her dedication and work ethic have inspired myself and others to do our part for the Tennessee Hereford Association.

If you have been around Glenda, I am sure you have noticed that she is never still. This lady is always working and moving. When asked if there was a person or event that instilled her work ethic she replied “Apparently my parents had a great impact on me as a child. I have followed in their footsteps and have raised my five children in the same way I was raised. We worked hard as children, and my children have worked hard in the day-to-day operation of Rickman Farms.”

Glenda was introduced to agriculture and farming through her parents, Terry and Pauline Jamerson Hair. The Hair Family Farm produced row crops and beef cattle to support the family. The farm has been in Glenda’s family since 1836. She and her siblings, Wahnell and Vernon were the fifth generation to grow up on the farm near Leapwood, Tennessee in McNairy County.

Her earliest memory of cattle was not a pleasant one. When she was around five years old, she watched a Hereford cow knock her mother down in the pasture with her horns. This event was the catalyst for her father to start looking for a Polled Hereford bull. This was not an easy task, as there were not many Polled Herefords in the southeast at that time.

Glenda and her husband Gene purchased a 500-acre farm in 1962. The couple realized that the farm was better suited to raising beef cattle than row crops. After extensive fencing and water projects were completed, the Rickman’s made their first acquisition of Polled Hereford cattle. In 1963 they purchased six registered Polled Hereford bred heifers. Their registered herd soon doubled as all six of those heifers had heifer calves! They continued to buy a few registered animals, but their goal was to build a herd with genetics bred by Rickman Farms.

In 1963, the Rickman children began exhibiting cattle at local shows. Soon, they were participating in events with the Tennessee Polled Hereford Association (TPHA). Your children’s interests drive your interests and Glenda discovered a passion for Hereford cattle and Hereford breeders while helping her children with their show heifers.

Glenda helped organize the Tennessee Junior Polled Hereford Association (TJPHA). The guidelines for the association and officers were determined at a TPHA Field Day at Bedford Farms in 1972. She still remembers the inaugural slate of officers for the TJPHA. David Parker was elected President, Randy Rickman Vice-President, and Margaret Stone Secretary-Treasurer; Marsha Clark was the 1st Tennessee Queen, Jane Rickman and Molly Mitchell were Princesses; R.B. and Rubye Jarrell, James and Helen Mitchell and Gene and Glenda Rickman were the advisors. Glenda served as a TJPHA advisor from 1972 to 1985 and continues to support our youth today.

She joined the Tennessee Poll-Ettes to help support their mission to assist with youth programs and the promotion of the Polled Hereford breed. She served her first term as President of the Tennessee Poll-Ettes in 1972. Her roles in the TJPHA and Poll-Ettes allowed her to be part of the planning committee when Tennessee hosted the first Junior National Polled Hereford Show in 1974.

She remembers that Randy, Lisa, and Steve all exhibited heifers that made the top cut of their classes at that show. The Rickman family continued to have success in the national spotlight. Her son Randy was elected as the 1st President of the National Junior Polled Hereford Association in 1974. Lisa had great success with her show heifer in 1975, winning a class at the Junior National in Omaha, Nebraska, and being named Reserve Grand Champion at the Dixie National Livestock Show. Steve continued the family tradition by placing first in the three-member judging team competition at the 1985 Junior National Polled Hereford Show.

Rickman Farms continued to breed high-quality cattle that would work on the farm and produce show animals for the family. The Rickman’s had three production sales. The first sale was in 1981, where the high selling lot was $20,000. Rickman Farms raised registered Polled Herefords until their complete dispersal sale in 1989. Glenda and her son Steve now operate a 125 head commercial Hereford/ Angus cross herd on the Hair Family Farm.

The first junior national is where Glenda met Mike Simpson, the AHA Youth Coordinator and Advisor of the National Council of Poll-Ettes. Mr. Simpson recommended Glenda to serve on the executive committee for the National Poll-Ettes. The executive committee only consisted of four members at that time. Glenda was named 2nd Vice President at the National Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky in 1974. This was the beginning of a “truly great opportunity and experience” for her.

In the coming years, Glenda would serve as a board member for the National Council of Poll-Ettes and the National Organization of Poll-Ettes (the group was reorganized in 1985). She served as president of the Poll-Ettes in 1972 and 1985, was treasurer for two years, and completed her last term on the National Poll-Ette Board in 2002. One of her proudest moments came in 1982 when she was named Poll-Ette of the year. Glenda was deeply honored, saying “There were so many women with far more background and experience than I had. Being able to serve on the National Organization of Poll-Ettes gave me an opportunity to make close friends and gain knowledge from women all across the United States.”

Glenda explains that the Poll-Ettes’ primary goal was to aid and support the Hereford industry and its youth. She is proud to be on the current board of the Hereford Women of Tennessee. The group continues the work of the Tennessee Poll-Ettes by sponsoring our State Queen Program and providing an Annual Scholarship of $500.00 for Tennessee Juniors.

Glenda has served in various positions for the Tennessee Polled Hereford Association and now the Tennessee Hereford Association. Dr. John Montgomery, Sr. was President of the TPHA in 1977 and wanted to start a state newsletter. Glenda was selected to be the first editor of the bi-monthly publication. She served as editor from 1977 to 1989. After several years, Glenda resumed her role as editor in May of 2007 and remained in that position until the March of 2017. Her favorite part of producing the Tennessee Newsletter was “working with Polled Hereford and Hereford Breeders from across the state and the southeast area to provide them an opportunity to promote and advertise their cattle to fellow Hereford breeders and commercial cattle operations.”

Glenda has served as secretary-treasurer of the Tennessee Polled Hereford Association from 2004 until 2014. She also served as the TPHA Agribition Sale Manager from 2005- 2014. In 2014 she was selected as secretary of the newly formed Tennessee Hereford Association and continues to serve in that capacity. Glenda has worked on the show committee for the TPHA and now the THA since 2004. She has been responsible for entries, show programs, and obtaining sponsors. She developed and maintained the TPHA website.

Glenda’s heart for service goes beyond the Hereford industry. She has served as a leader for various agricultural and civic organizations. She is presently the Treasurer/Communication Director of the Tennessee Resource Conservation & Development Council, an organization that she has also served as President. Some other highlights include: Mayor of Milledgeville, Legislative Advisor 63rd Legislative District Tennessee House of Representatives, McNairy County Homecoming 86 Committee, and the Adamsville High School Alumni Association Chairman and current Treasurer.

At the conclusion of our interview, I asked Glenda what advice she would offer to new Hereford members or someone interested in taking a leadership role in our association. She said “My advice to new Hereford breeders; be honest, seek advice from a trusted source. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and ask for advice. Leadership is a good thing; however, it takes time and patience. Be sure you are willing to lead, not dictate.”

Glenda pictured with her grandaughter Krissi and in 1982 winning the Poll-Ette of the Year..

Tennessee Hereford Newsletter • Spring 2021 • 11