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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2019-08-29, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019. PAGE 9. Maranda Klaver was named the 2019/2020 Huron County Queen of the Furrow at the Huron County Plowing Match gala on Friday evening. Klaver, daughter of Kasey and Sofie of RR5, Seaforth, said the win was exciting as it was her third year competing for the title. She said winning the crown, as well as being named the winner of the Best Plowgirl Award, was very exciting for her. Klaver, who won the Princess crown in 2012, said that she was once again very happy to represent the Huron County Plowman Association for the year. Mental health in farming is an important issue in Huron and other agriculturally-focused communities, Klaver said, and that’s why she chose to speak on the issue in her prepared speech for the event. “It is the elephant in the room,” she said, adding that’s why she brought an elephant balloon for her speech. “It’s a topic that everyone wants to talk about, but farmers are perceived as tough, as the last people that will need mental health, so it’s difficult.” She said farmers work hard 12 months of the year, taking little time for themselves, so mental health issues in the farming industry are increasing. “We need to raise awareness of the issue, and treat mental health as a sickness, not a weakness,” she said. “We can’t help if we don’t ask and look at mental health differently.” She said that the judges were approachable when it came to the interview portion of the day. “It was nice, and easy to have a conversation with them,” she said. The interviews, she said, are always an interesting experience. Having been through them not only for her previous Queen runs, but also as a Princess, helped to prepare her for the competition. Klaver’s impromptu topic was the agricultural impact of meat alternatives, which she feels isn’t going to be as big an issue as others do. “Obviously everyone has their own taste preference,” she said. “People will pick the hamburger, veggie burger or the Beyond [branded] burger. They are completely different products.” She said that, while veggie or Beyond burgers will be another item on grocery shelves, each is its own product and she doesn’t see people who enjoy meat products switching any time soon. “I don’t think it will result in a decrease in the market,” she said. “It’s not a thing that will have much of an impact on the agriculture industry.” When it came time to plow, Klaver was prepared, she said. Not only did she have a repeat coach from her previous years, but she had been practising at home. “My dad actually gets me to plow at home, so that definitely helped with winning that award,” she said. Klaver is a recent graduate of the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus having earned her Agriculture Diploma. She said she wants to continue to work in the agriculture industry and is looking at being the Queen of the Furrow as a chance to help make some positive changes in the local sector. “I’m excited to be an advocate for agriculture and to have the chance to address the urban and rural gap,” she said. “I’m looking forward to plowing matches and fairs and any other events I can go to spread the word.” Mackenzie Terpstra of Brussels, one of two other competitors for the crown, won the Friendship Award at the plowing match gala. Klaver honoured with Queen of the Furrow crown 90th AA NN NN II VV EE RR SS AA RRYY SS AA LL EE 226 Turnberry St., N., Brussels, ON. Ph: 519-887-6277 3 BIG DAYS ONLY! Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019 - Saturday, Sept. 7th, 2019 EXTRA BIG SAVINGS Aspenite Construction panel made of glued and compressed wood shavings. Suited to a wide variety of structural applications. Uniform surface. 7/16" x 4' x 5' ONLY $845 each Vinyl Click Flooring 2 colours. $24.86 sf per carton ONLY $129 sq. ft. Interior Acrylic Paint Eggshell 3.64 L When tinted Was $41.99 Exterior Acrylic Paint Velvet 3.64 L Was $41.99 $2999 ea. SS AATT UU RR DD AAYY,, SS EE PP TT EE MM BB EE RR 77TT HH EE VV EE NN TT SS OO NN LLYY !! GREAT PRIZES TO BE WON! Blue Jay tickets, Yeti cooler & much more... see instore for details HEY KIDS! MEET HANDY THE HOUND! Help him on a scavenger hunt! EVERY CHILD RECIEVES A PRIZE! 12 & under No online orders. We reserve the right to l i m i t q u a n t i t i e s . BOUNCY CASTLE FOR THE KIDS! Cotton Candy served by Brussels Leo’s Charity BBQ! Proceeds to Brussels Tigers Primer Sealer Interior 3.78 L Was $31.99 $2399 ea. More specials in store The crowning Maranda Klaver of RR5, Seaforth, left, is the new Huron Queen of the Furrow. She was crowned on Friday night at the Huron County Plowing Match gala by outgoing Queen Loretta Higgins. (Denny Scott photo) By Denny Scott The Citizen #1 And We Still Try Harder Recent circulation figures show The Citizen has the highest circulation in the northern part of Huron County, #3 in the entire county. The Citizen Proudly Community-Owned Since 1985