Two former Centre Wellington District High School Students are running to become the Fergus Fall Fair Ambassador for 2016-17.
Connor French, of Elora, and Katrina Martin, of rural Centre Wellington, know each other through school, but they were also part of the 4-H Eramosa Dairy Club.
Both have strong ties to the agricultural industry.
“I’ve been coming to this fair since I was two years old and I started showing cattle. I’ve always looked up to the girls in the crown; I wanted to be that girl,” said French.
She started her Bachelor of Commerce program at the University of Guelph this week.
French said she would like to include agriculture in her studies as well.
“I would love to represent agriculture. [It] has been a part of my life forever; it’s been in my family, and I’d love to be able to share what I know and learn even more,” she said.
Martin has also started her post-secondary education this week at the University of Guelph – Ridgetown Campus in the Agriculture Diploma Program.
“I want to become an ambassador because my greatest passion is definitely farming and agriculture,” said Martin.
“I want to be an “ag-vocate” to the community and share my passion.”
Martin grew up on a dairy farm east of Alma.
“I want to be able to inform the community and other people what farming is all about and the importance of this industry and why it needs to be sustained.”
Both have been heavily involved in 4-H as well as other volunteer activities. French helped out with ringette camps, and Martin has spent her time at fairs and her local church.
Both are seeking careers that involve agriculture. French wants to complete a co-op and become a CPA (certified professional accountant). She wants to work agriculture into her degree.
Martin wants to pursue a career in the ag-industry but said she would also like to end up on a farm too.
The Fergus Agricultural Society will choose the ambassador of its fair on Sept. 11 at 6pm.
The program provides contestants with leadership opportunities, communication and interview skills.
The fair ambassador will represent the Fergus Agricultural Society at various events in Centre Wellington for one year and at the Canadian National Exhibition Ambassador of the Fairs Competition in August 2017.
Each contestant will be required to give a two to three-minute prepared speech, answer an impromptu question, prepare a poster display board about themselves and have a short interview with a panel of judges.
Tickets to the event, which includes a chicken barbecue, are $20 for adults, $10 for kids 5 to 10 and free for kids aged 4 and under.
For more information about the event and the program email info@fergusfallfair.ca.
