Background
The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), in its organization of the annual Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show, decided that the show would not be complete without a “spark of elegance” or adornment of a Farm Queen. And so, by 1963, ten years after the first show was held on a picturesque showground at Denbigh, the organizing committee held a competition to choose a National Farm Queen.
The National Farm Queen Competition has been an integral part of the Annual Denbigh Agricultural & Industrial Show, culminating in the selection of the National Farm Queen and her runners-up during the three (3) day events.
Overview
Throughout history, women have played a pivotal role in agricultural activities from reaping to preparing the food produced. It is very important that these women are recognized as they continue to contribute to food security in Jamaica.
As the participants will be given the unique opportunity to build and enhance skills in communication, knowledge of the sector, poise in presentations, and confidence in individual abilities for personal and professional growth.
The JAS continues to recognize the significant role our Jamaican women play in the development of agriculture in Jamaica. The competition is the avenue through which Society applauds these women and continues to encourage women to participate in the competition.
The goal
The goal of the competition is to enable the selection of a queen who will be qualified to act as an Ambassador for agriculture and Jamaica, locally and internationally, and who will be an outstanding role model for other young women.
The Competition
The contestants are the parish farm queens who are between the ages of 18-25 years and have been crowned in the thirteen parishes across the island.
The competition is based on academic achievements, dissemination of information from research, and global perspective on agricultural and environmental issues capsulated by grace and poise.