Jessica Whitley represents Simcoe County in Queen of the Furrow
Simcoe County’s Queen of the Furrow, Jessica Whitley, will be competing at the next level at the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in Pain Court, Ontario, from September 18 to 22.
“I am not much for wearing dresses, but what intrigued me the most was that there is a portion of the competition that judges your tractor driving ability and your skill at plowing fields,” said Whitley.
“That’s the part of the competition I enjoy the most.”
Whitley, 18, was crowned as the Simcoe County Queen of the Furrow at last year’s Simcoe County plowing match. As the winners of the local matches go on to compete at the international match the following year, Whitley will be competing this year for the title of the Ontario Queen of the Furrow.
While at this event, Whitley will be representing the Simcoe County Plowmen’s Association.
Founded in 1911, the Ontario Plowmen’s Association aims to teach people the importance of proper cultivation and modern soil and water conservation practices.
Whitley said that this is important in today’s farming, and there is always more to be learned about sustainable farming. She herself grew up on a farm and has been plowing since around the age of 14.
Having worked since 2016 at Miller’s Dairy just outside Creemore, Whitley was encouraged by Marie Miller to enter the competition. Miller herself holds the title of Ontario Queen of the Furrow.
Whitley said she entered the competition hoping to meet new people, network with people in field of agriculture, and broaden her comfort zone.
She also wanted to learn more about the career she hopes to pursue. Whitley has finished her first year in business management at Nipissing University and Fanshawe College, and is hoping one day to work in agriculture from a business perspective.
Whitley said these competitions are good at encouraging women to get involved in the field of agriculture. It opens up more opportunities.
Whitley will be attending the Simcoe County Plowing Match again this year on August 18 at 5427 8th Line, Cookstown, and anyone can go to watch.
Whitley said anyone over the age of 18 that is interested in participating in the Queen of the Furrow competition for Simcoe County should contact Barry DeGeer at 705-734-5193.
The International Plowing Match and Rural Expo will include the plowing portion of the competition on September 19 at 2:30 p.m. The speeches will be held on September 21 at 9:30 a.m.
There will be 28 other competitors from different counties around Ontario.
Whitley said the one thing she wanted to take away from here experience would be meeting the other girls from all over Ontario. She enjoys learning about the other farms and making friends.
