Queen of the Farm

Angie is currently an agricultural education major at the University of Illinois. Growing up on the farm Angie has always known that agriculture would play a large role in her future. She is extremely involved throughout her school and community and demonstrates her love for the farm in everything she does. As a previous county fair queen Angie was a tremendous role model for Tazewell County 4-Her’s. I’m positive she will be a tremendous asset to an Illinois high school agriculture department upon her graduation.

 

Kelsey: Can you tell me a little bit about your farm?

Angie: My father and brother farm in Tazewell County.  We grow corn, soybeans, pumpkins, wheat, and we also have some hay.  Until last year, we also raised Polled Hereford cattle that my brother and I used to show. 

Kelsey: What is your favorite memory of growing up on the farm?

Angie: My favorite memory growing up on the farm would most likely be taking supper out to the field for my dad and grandpas during harvest.  This was the best time because my brother and I took turns riding with my dad in the combine for a few rounds, and while we were waiting, we would get to ride to the elevator with my grandpas in the grain trucks.  I loved getting to spend time out in the field and being a part of our farming operation even though I was only a little girl.

Kelsey: How are you involved within your community and school?

Angie: At the University of Illinois, I am currently the Membership Chair in Sigma Alpha which is a professional agricultural sorority.  We differ from other sororities on campus because we do professional development events, speakers, and trips to learn about the agricultural industry.  Our national philanthropy is Ag In the Classroom, so within the Champaign-Urbana area, we do numerous AITC presentations each semester to promote agricultural literacy.

I am also currently the Vice President of Programs for the Student Advancement Group for Education here on campus.  This group works alongside the Office of Advancement in the College of Education to promote communication among the college and alumni, as well as holding library book drives and read-a-thons in the area. 

Alpha Tau Alpha/Ag Ed Club at the U of I is a group of mostly agricultural education students, and I am the current ACES Council Representative.  This means that I attend the ACES Council (which is like a student council for the College of ACES) meetings each month as a liaison between the ATA/Ag Ed Club and the ACES Council.

I also am an office intern and a teaching assistant.

During the summer my family is extremely involved in the antique tractor pulls in our area. My brother and I both pull our tractors. My dad and brother are in charge of a couple pulls and help at them all. I help register all of the pullers and assist with recording the distances. My mom videotapes all of my brother and my pulls. The pulls are a great time for my family to spend time together!

Kelsey: Can you please describe your role as Miss Tazewell County?

Angie: I represented Tazewell County 4-H as Miss Tazewell County 2008.  Throughout my reign I attended events representing 4-H and agriculture throughout Tazewell County.  I also competed at the Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant in Springfield.  As queen, it was my job to spread awareness of 4-H and agriculture, and be a role model to 4-Her’s within Tazewell County. I am still extremely involved with the pageant and feel it is a great opportunity for young women.

Kelsey: What are your plans for the future?

Angie: I am currently an agricultural education major at the University of Illinois where I am completing a science endorsement and minoring in crop and soil management.  Upon graduation and certification, I will be teaching agriculture at the secondary level.  I hope to start an agricultural program at a school that does not currently have a program in order to increase agricultural literacy and provide leadership opportunities through the National FFA Organization.