SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT AGRICULTURE

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Tymberlynn Rose Wiedemann said she grew up in the shadow of the Adams County fair and always had her eye on the fair royalty –although she wasn’t sure what they did.

“It wasn’t up until I was in high school, I was in the Future Farmers of America FFA Organization, which is an agriculture youth organization, so being part of that organization, we were around the fair lot. I actually got to talk to the fair queens and realized they are advocates for the agriculture industry,” Wiedemann said.

Now it’s her turn on the fair’s throne.

After a year as the 2022 fair’s Lady In Waiting, Wiedemann,19, was selected as the 2023 Adams County Fair Queen.

“I graduated in 2022, and I’m so fortunate. I was able to come from Brighton High School and I get to represent my county; it’s wonderful,” Wiedemann said.

Wiedemann said as a Future Farmers of America member, they teach students about the agricultural industry but need to learn how to promote it and educate people.

“I realized this is a way to serve my community, and follow a passion in the agricultural industry,” Wiedemann said. “These women royalty state titleholders are not just a pretty face that represents the county. When you talk to these women, they are very intelligent. They know horsemanship, agriculture, rodeo and the fair they’re representing.”

Wiedemann said FFA, 4-H, and the fair for kids’ is essential.

“You don’t have to be in a local 4-H or in agriculture or come from the city,” she said. “You can I can sign up and it’s something that is really fun. My FFA department at high school not everyone was an agriculture kid and some grew up in the subdivision or apartments. So sitting in Ag class they realized they too can be a part of this industry.”

Wiedemann said the FFA classes at the high school taught kids how to start a small project or grow a garden, educating them about the industry without even realizing it.

“Even the kids that are not working members in the agricultural industry when someone ask them a question, they can tell them about growing and harvesting in a field,” Wiedemann said. “The programs are incredible. It not just for kids its regular everyday people that can sit in those classes and those organizations and be involved in the work.”

Wiedemann is attending Colorado State University, majoring in Agricultural Education and minoring in Agricultural Literacy.

She chose to stay close to home because it allows her to give back to the organization.

“I learned so much value and what our industry really means. I hope I’m able to come back and grow the next generation of agriculturalists. A lot of times, industries can slowly die, and generations will leave if you have people that aren’t willing to fight for this organization industry that is slowly dying, and you need to have people that are knowledgeable about the industry and want to learn about it and work for it to last for the future,” Wiedemann said.

If she has her way, she’ll be involved in agriculture for the rest of her life.

“I hope to stay in the agriculture industry, whether it is classroom teaching, working in a position with agriculture, or work as legislator. I want to continue to be a voice for this industry representing the agriculture and Western industry in a public matter, talking to people. If I can continue to do that into adulthood, I would love that,” Wiedemann said.