JENNIFER MOONSONG
GLASGOW NEWS 1
When Barren County agricultural extension agent Chris Schalk was in school, he was a member of FFA. His future wife Bretta was also a member of FFA. Both grew up on farms.
“She grew up here in Barren County on a farm in the Tracy community; I grew up on a farm in Pendleton County,” Chris said.
Both decided, for a time, to be educators.
“I was the ag teacher for 20 years at Barren County high School, and my wife is still a teacher,” Chris said.
So, it comes as no surprise that when the two met, married and started a family, they continued their life of farming. They did so on Bretta’s family farm.
These days their two daughters, Bethany and Mary, are following in their parents’ footsteps with continued interests in agriculture and farm life. The younger, 17-year-old Mary, is the president of the FFA chapter at Barren County High School.
Mary Schalk, front and center, sits with fellow FFA members at Thank a Farmer in downtown Glasgow last fall. Schalk is not only a self-described “farm kid,” but also the president of the club and an avid supporter of the value of being an FFA member. PHOTO PROVIDED BY BARREN COUNTY FFA
She said she loves every aspect of it but readily admits that agriculture and FFA have changed a lot since her parents’ high-school days.
“A lot of people back 20 years ago thought FFA was just for farmers or, for lack of a better term, farm kids. That is not true now. These days it offers something for kids who don’t even set foot on a farm,” Mary said.
She added that they have floral design classes, agricultural finance classes and even speech competitions where students can talk about these connected aspects of ag. Other additions are shop classes, welding, animal science and carpentry.
Mary credits not only her parents, but her big sister Bethany with her devout interest in agriculture.
“Really, my sister helped me with FFA involvement a lot,” Mary said.
Prior to going to the University of Kentucky, where she is a senior majoring in agriculture, Bethany was a high school student who served as the state reporter for FFA.
Mary is proud to carry on the family legacy – and the legacy of many Kentucky families.
“Well, FFA in Kentucky is very strong. When we go to state conventions, it is crazy how many people are there. We rank really high in farming and are lucky to have people in state government who really support Kentucky being an agricultural state. Kentucky is so diverse. We have dairy, beef, grain, chickens as so on,” Mary said.
As an adult, Mary plans to make a living as a pilot. At only 17, she has obtained her pilot’s license; however, she still hopes to live on a farm and is thrilled to have good qualities instilled in her that she said come from her time in FFA.
Barren County FFA members gather downtown at Thank a Farmer. PHOTO PROVIDED BY BARREN COUNTY FFA
“I’d say the best thing FFA has given me is definitely my work ethic. It has gotten better through FFA, because I’ve had to work at this,” Mary said.
She has alas seen the way the organization has changed others’ lives.
“For those not growing up on a farm, they see what goes on on a farm, and they appreciate food so much more …. They have a sense of purpose,” Mary said.
Anyone interested in learning more about the FFA chapter at Barren County may call 270-651-2627 or follow the organization on Facebook or Instagram.
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