Tennessee Code Title 43. Agriculture and Horticulture § 43-16-116

(a) The affairs of the association shall be managed by a board of not less than five (5) directors, elected by the members or stockholders from their own number.

(b) The bylaws may provide that the territory in which the association has members shall be divided into districts and that the directors shall be elected according to these districts, either directly or by district delegates elected by the members in that district. In such a case, the bylaws shall specify the number of directors to be elected by each district, the manner and method of reapportioning the directors and of redistricting the territory covered by the association. The bylaws may provide that primary elections shall be held in each district to elect the directors apportioned to the districts, and that the result of all such primary elections may be ratified by the next regular meeting of the association or may be considered final as to the association.

(c) The bylaws may provide that one (1) or more directors may be appointed by any public official or commission or by the other directors selected by the members or their delegates. Such directors shall represent primarily the interest of the general public in such associations. The directors so appointed need not be members or stockholders of the association, but shall have the same powers and rights as other directors. Such directors shall not number more than one fifth ( 1/5 ) of the entire number of directors.