Two Willow Street residents have been chosen to represent the state in agriculture advocacy. Cassidy Kuhl, 26, and her daughter, Harper Chase Kuhl, 4, won the titles of 2020 Pennsylvania Mrs. Agriculture USA and 2020 Pennsylvania Tiny Miss Agriculture USA after a competition in March.
The pair had served as the Lancaster County titleholders last year along with Cassidy's sister-in-law, Rebecca Kuhl, who was the Lancaster County Teen Miss Agriculture USA. Harper Chase had been the state runner-up in her age group.
At the state title competition, Harper Chase placed first in interview, agriculture wear, formal wear, and the photogenic category. She finished second in introduction, impromptu question, and essay. Cassidy received first place in all seven categories as well as in speech.
Cassidy and Harper Chase are now eligible to advance to the national competition in Ohio this summer. As of May 26, the competition was scheduled to go on as planned, but with tight safety measures, Cassidy said.
Miss Agriculture USA is a nonprofit queen organization that promotes and celebrates agriculture by giving young girls and women opportunities to build confidence, promote self-esteem, develop public speaking skills and leadership skills, form lasting friendships, and more. Cassidy and Harper Chase enjoy horseback riding, gardening, and raising rabbits and ducks. One of the highlights of their reign is stressing the fact that agriculture is for everybody. "You don't have to live on a farm to love agriculture," Cassidy said.
"As the Lancaster County Tiny and Lancaster County Mrs. Agriculture USA (this past year), our focus was primarily in our county helping at fairs and going to schools. We volunteered at the PA Farm Show with Turkey Hill handing out ice cream," Cassidy said. "We hope to expand that to visit more all over PA."
The state competition was held just before the shutdown began, so the Kuhls have been making the most of things. The planned promotional visits have been virtual. "We're making posts from home, celebrating national holidays and connecting them back to agriculture," Cassidy shared. "I did a video reading for Ag Literacy Week."
Cassidy was also able to help with a farmer's milk giveaway event in Willow Street on May 22. "We are always looking for more ways to educate ourselves, like visiting local farms and ways we can help in our community," she said.
To learn more, readers may email Cassidy at MissAgUSAHKuhl@gmail.com.
More information about Miss Agriculture USA is available at http://www.missagricultureusa.org.
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