Mathews makes memories in run for national office

Sara Brown, Corner Post Special Contributor

Oct. 29, 2002 - In a world where cows, sows and plows can't do justice as adjectives of agriculture, Crystal Mathews is looking toward the National FFA Organization to play her part in changing that image.

Mathews, a sophomore agricultural education major from Carthage, Mo., is one of 50 members running for a national FFA office.

Mathews joined the Carthage FFA chapter her freshman year in high school. She raised beef cattle, harvested fescue seed and showed hogs for her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project.

Mathews grew up on a family farm, which, she said, gave her an understanding of the importance of agriculture.

"Agriculture as an industry is the foundation of our country," Mathews said. "The basic needs of food, fiber and shelter can't be met without the agriculture industry."

Mathews was not only involved in a production agriculture project as part of FFA but also proved herself as a leader in the industry. She was chosen as a state FFA officer last year at the Missouri State FFA Convention. Throughout last year, she traveled across Missouri presenting workshops to FFA students, helping plan the next state convention and spending part of her summer at Missouri FFA Camp at the Lake of the Ozarks.

"Crystal took advantage of every opportunity she had," Gregg Wolf, Mathews' chapter adviser, said. "She wanted to do as much as she could [in FFA]."

"I've had the chance to do a lot of things with the FFA," Mathews said. "Part of the FFA motto is 'service.' I want to live [this next] year of service to the FFA."

Mathews will have her chance to make that happen at the 75th National FFA Convention. After several rounds of interviews, Mathews and the rest of the FFA members will find out the winners Saturday in Louisville, Ky.

If elected, Mathews will travel across the nation, speaking to FFA members about FFA and the agriculture industry. The national officers will also meet with the Future Farmers of Japan and visit with national representatives of the agriculture industry.

Doug Kueker, 2000-2001 National FFA officer from Missouri, emphasized Matthews' desire to care and know more about people.

"She makes people find the best in themselves," Kueker said. "I have never known someone so selfless in getting in contact and staying in contact with a person. She senses when someone has a need and helps fill that need."

Mathews is already used to being in a national spotlight. She was chosen as the 2002 National Beef Ambassador, which, she said, taught her how important it is for people to be represented nationally. As the National Beef Ambassador, Mathews educated beef producers and consumers across the nation about the future of the beef industry.

"You can make a difference on many levels, but to serve on a national level is amazing," Mathews said. "I want to go to that greater level of service."

While Mathews looks forward to the possibility of serving in a national role, she also continues to see herself where she started - the family farm.

"I will continue to be involved in production agriculture," Mathews said. "Hopefully, I will be teaching agriculture somewhere."

Mathews said she has a strong desire to teach agriculture, especially in inner-city communities. This desire began when she visited an inner-city agriculture program in St. Louis.

Andrea Olendorff served with Mathews on the 2001-2002 Missouri State Officer team. The team emphasized helping individuals find their values through agricultural education and the FFA.

"Although the decision determining Crystal's position as a national FFA officer will be determined on Saturday of convention, I don't think it will affect her service to the FFA organization," Olendorff said. "The amount of influence she has given to the organization proves her abilities as a leader, now and in the future."

Profile originally posted 10/30/02

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