Hastings County has some new royalty, as the 2023-2024 Queen of the Furrow has been crowned.
Rachel Lott from Stirling was awarded the title by a panel of judges after delivering a speech to a crowd of spectators about the benefits of growing industrial hemp.
The Queen of the Furrow competition has several parts, which include plowing a section of field, an interview with a panel of judges, and delivering a public speech.
“I’m excited. It was a little unexpected, but I’m really happy with how it turned out. It was a great experience,” said Lott.
Lott isn’t quite sure if she’s going to seek a career in agriculture, but says she is planning to work with animals, either on a farm or in another role.
Also during the Plowing Match’s closing ceremonies, a winner was announced in a plowing competition between local politicians.
Shelby Kramp-Neuman was named the winner out of four competing local politicians. Kramp-Neuman was surprised she won because she’d never plowed a field before the competition.
“Some of the advice I was given was, look straight ahead, don’t look behind, hang on to the wheel stay close to the edge of the furrow,” said Kramp-Neuman. “So needless to say I had some some good advice and I had some fun. I learned a lot along the way.”
Hastings Lennox and Addington MP Shelby Kramp-Neuman received a bouquet of flowers as she was announced the victor in the politician’s plowing competition.
She plans to compete again in next year’s competition.
