While on the surface farming seems to be a male-dominated business, the fact is more women are becoming involved in ag businesses and education than ever before. According to the 2002 Census in Agriculture, more than 200,000 U.S. farms were operated by women. But women have always played an important role in agriculture; just ask Tracy Probst.

She serves as Anderson County’s FFA advisor and is an ag science teacher at Anderson County High School.

“I grew up on a tobacco and beef cattle farm in Mt. Sterling, Ky. and was very active in FFA serving as Chapter Treasurer, Chapter President and Regional President,” she said. “I attended the University of Kentucky and received a B.S. degree in agricultural education and a M.S. degree in career and technical education. I chose this career because of my love for the FFA organization. There are times when I see my students more than my husband.” Probst’s dedication is evident when one sees the list of activities in which her chapter is involved.

Upcoming events for the group include the Harvest Food Basket in which canned foods are collected and a school assembly is scheduled to display the organization’s work and to give all the food and money raised to the local God’s Pantry.

The chapter also plans many trips in the coming year including a tour of an area sausage factory, the North American Livestock Expo, a possible ski trip, and of course, the National FFA Convention. The group assisted the Anderson County Farm Bureau in preparing for its annual meeting by helping them stir burgoo all day and plan to participate in speaking/leadership competitions along with some Career Development events.

They also won first place recently in the Homecoming float competition for the local parade.

On Nov. 5, the chapter will participate in the Unite to Read program, a statewide literacy project designed by members of Kentucky’s Career and Technical Student Organizations designed to promote literacy and lifelong reading among school children in the state.

It is the small community and public service events that lead local FFA members on to bigger and better things whether they are male or female but Probst is living proof that women have and will continue to make their mark in the business of agriculture.

“Without my experience in the FFA, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today,” said Probst. “I enjoy my jobs because no two days are ever alike and because I get to have a helping hand in turning out good, well rounded community citizens.”