Anna Mathis
Former National FFA Secretary | University of Arkansas Student
Hometown: Valley Springs, AR
Briefly describe your role:
I am a third year student at the University of Arkansas double majoring in Agricultural Communications and Agricultural Leadership. I recently retired from an extensive involvement in the National FFA Organization serving as a Chapter, State, and National Officer. More importantly than the title, I served local communities. I intend to pursue opportunities and careers in the realm of rural development and community engagement.
Q: Is what you’re doing now what you always pictured you would do?
A: I’ve always pictured myself in education- and while I’m not planning on teaching in the classroom, I suppose I ended up under the education umbrella after all.
Nearly my entire family is involved in secondary education, my father being an agriculture teacher at a local high school. This, along with growing up in an extremely rural area, greatly influenced my passions for education, agricultural education and literacy, and advocating for strengthening communities. Because my dad was so passionate about FFA, an organization dedicated to the above passions, I assumed I would fall in love with the organization too. I didn’t know how much or how involved I would become, but I’m grateful I jumped in headfirst.
Q: What do you see as the greatest challenges for women in your chosen industry? What are the greatest opportunities?
A: I think perception is one of the greatest challenges and opportunities we face. What is the perception of a woman, let alone in a male-dominated field? Is she to be demure, knowing her place? Or is she to outsmart and outman the men, proving her competence? There isn't a right answer. Every woman must choose for herself in her respective environment, and it’s tough to cultivate and maintain the narrative of a woman in agriculture.
Thankfully, great challenges can also be great opportunities.
A great opportunity we have is the ability to rewrite that narrative for women in the agricultural industry in this decade. By paying homage to the strong women that came before us, we can continue finding ways to pay it forward for women who come behind us through encouragement, innovation, and mentorship.
Q: Who has inspired you in your life/career?
A: The people in Valley Springs, Arkansas. Don’t let the population sign fool you: though we are a town of a mere 175 people, these people are what I consider to be some of the best people on earth. They band together for people in need. Many are filled with great character and a desire to do their best by people receiving little to no recognition in return. They give frequently and encourage always. I am richly blessed to have been loved by this community.
Q: What advice would you give to an aspiring professional?
A: Determine your level of commitment to your dream and follow through. We each have different aspirations, and that’s the beautiful part of agriculture. Being a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. is no more important of a dream than returning to the farm. Each requires different levels of commitment, resources, and training. Determining your dream is the first step. The crucial part is figuring out what your dream will require of you and if you’re ready and willing to commit to yourself and others to see it through.
Q: What’s been your secret to success?
A: My perspective which is rooted in faith and nurtured by family. I believe everything happens for a reason, so success is temporary and failure isn’t final. If we continue trusting that whatever happens is setting us up for the next opportunity to grow and serve, and surround ourselves with people who remind us of this perspective when we put on the blinders of the world, we’ll be successful.
