Event continues through Saturday at McHenry
Angie Brant Cumberland Times-News
MCHENRY — Jenny Jones, Oakland, was named the 69th Garrett County Farm Queen during a contest held Sunday evening at the Garrett County Fairgrounds.
Jones, the daughter of Kim and Johnny Jones, competed against Tabitha Friend and Kaya Rinker for the title. Selection of the queen was based on candidate interviews, prior to the contest and during the event; community and church involvement; and participation in agricultural activities. Adam Hayes, Karen Hamilton Engel and Jamie Snider served as judges for the contest.
Jones is a 2013 graduate of Southern High School and is a member of Red House 4-H. She will be attending Garrett College in the fall and plans to pursue a career as a Department of Natural Resources officer. For Jones, the title of Farm Queen is a family tradition — her aunt, Johnna Jones, was queen in 1980 and her older sister, Catlin, served in the role in 2007.
Jones said participating in 4-H and FFA has helped develop her leadership and teamwork skills and she plans to share those skills with visitors at the 2013 Garrett County Agriculture Fair.
“I want to to be a role model for younger kids and visitors and tell them about the fair,” she said.
In addition to performing her duties as an ambassador for fair visitors, Jones will be showing heifers during the livestock competitions.
New this year, a court of Farm Princesses was selected to assist Jones in her official duties. Her court includes Krista Rinker, Oakland; Emma Rush, Oakland; Madison Spurrier, Swanton; and Miranda Rounds, Lonaconing. These girls, 6 to 14 years old, were among more than 20 applicants who participated in a series of interviews earlier this year.
Terri Rodeheaver, fair board member, said the goal of establishing a court of Farm Princesses is to spur greater interest and involvement in the Farm Queen program.
The Garrett County Agriculture Fair continues through Saturday with daily livestock competitions, entertainment and activities.
Fair president Debbie Friend said the annual event is a celebration of the “best of Garrett County agriculture and we are proud to offer a lot of new events and activities this year, including an agricultural education center, where visitors can churn butter, make ice cream and learn how what you eat comes from a farm.”
“We invite you to come early, come often and stay late,” she added.
Contact Angie Brant at abrant@times-news.com.
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