A young Oro-Medonte woman is hoping her passion for agriculture will resonate with judges on a national stage.
Katarina Pautsch, 18, will be competing at the Ambassador of the Fairs competition at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto Aug. 16 to 18.
Pautsch, who is the Orillia Fall Fair’s senior ambassador for 2018-19, works on a dairy farm and her family runs a cash-crop farm.
“It’s definitely important to spread awareness of fairs and agriculture,” she said. “Such a big part of our life is food and agriculture.”
Pautsch has been practising what she preaches. She has been attending fairs her whole life and has been showing dairy cattle at the local fair for four years.
“The fair is a big part of my life. Now I’m representing the fair as an ambassador. It’s pretty cool,” said Pautsch, who volunteers with the Orillia and District Agricultural Society and will be attending the University of Guelph this fall to earn her bachelor of science degree in agriculture.
It’s important to educate people about where their food comes from, Pautsch said, which is why the CNE Ambassadors of the Fair competition is “more than a beauty pageant.”
“Appearance is still a big part, but it’s more about awareness,” she said. “It’s also about connecting people. Now I know a lot of the other ambassadors.”
Pautsch is one of more than 1,300 contestants from 100-plus communities across Ontario vying for the title of CNE Ambassador of the Fairs. The winner will hold the title for one year and will represent the CNE at various fairs in the province.
Just the facts
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The Ambassador of the Fairs competition is a long-standing tradition at the CNE that aims to promote, educate and celebrate Canadian agriculture while bridging the gap between rural and urban communities.
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The competition shines a spotlight on the importance of agricultural society and the next generation of young ambassadors who are proud to uphold the traditions of rural life and farming in Ontario.
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The CNE is one of the top 10 agricultural fairs in North America and continues to uphold its agricultural roots (started as an agricultural fair) while educating and offering engaging programming and interactive exhibits showcasing trends in urban agriculture.
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More than 3,000 contestants, both male and female, have participated from more than 100 communities across Ontario since its inception in 1971.
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Individuals must have first won the ambassador competition at their local fair to be eligible to compete at the CNE.
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Contestants may only compete once at the CNE.
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Contestants are judged on everything from her knowledge of 'The Ex', agriculture, poise, personality and the overall impression during the three-day competition. Finals will take place this year on Sunday, Aug. 18, in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre during the CNE.
Source: CNE
