K NOW Y OUR N EIGHBOR Hickok places third overall in Mrs. Agriculture USA

“Homemaking looks very different today than it did in the 1950s and early 60s,” stated Lauren Hickok, Goshen. “In this day and age, many of us work outside the home. However, homemaking is not about having a perfect house or menu.

“But it is about making priorities that are important to the family. For example, even though I work outside the home, I strive to provide a homemade dinner each evening for my husband.”

Hickok was third overall at the 2023 National Miss Agriculture USA competition. She also received “Young Homemaker of the Year” at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair.

“Running for Mrs. Agriculture USA this year brought me out of my comfort zone. I’ve never been involved in anything like it before. However, I’ve always wanted a platform in which to present agriculture in a positive light. After all, we can all be involved in agriculture, whether we’re farmers or planting a small garden.”

Urged on by her younger sister Emily Parcell, Hickok signed up to be the Indiana representative. Receiving the title of 2023 Indiana Mrs. Agriculture USA, she was off to the national competition in

Mantua, Ohio.

“I arrived at the competition on Thursday, June 15. That evening I competed in the ag wear portion of the competition. I dressed up as a lumberjack, since Indiana is known for its hardwood industry.”

Friday was a very busy morning and evening for Hickok. “In the morning was the judges’ interview and also our opportunity to give our speech. Our topic was: ‘What agriculture means to me.’ I explained that I grew up in a farm family. I was a member of FFA and 4-H. Because that was a way of life in our family, and still is, agriculture has a big influence on me. I graduated high school and attended Huntington University, majoring in agribusiness management.”

The ladies were back on the farm that evening, where the competition was held. “We had the formal-wear portion, introduction, and impromptu question. The question they asked me was what my greatest achievement was as a Miss Indiana Agriculture USA queen. I explained that I attended a roundtable discussion about the Farm Bill at Huntington University. Sen. Mike Braun was a panelist speaker, and I had the opportunity to meet him.”

Brittany Kirsch from Michigan was the 2023 National Mrs. Agri- culture USA. The runner-up was Alyssa Stamm from Ohio. “When they called my name as third overall I was thrilled. There were about 50 of us competing. Placing was a great honor.” Hickok is planning to run again in 2024.

“I have been making appearances at county fairs in Indiana and other festivals. I even assisted with the Elkhart County 4-H Livestock Skillathon this year.”

She and her husband Dakota are co-chairs of the Young Farmers and Ag Professionals, part of the Elkhart County Farm Bureau board. “Elkhart County Farm Bureau was my sponsor for the competition.” She is also part of Friends and Neighbors Homemakers Club, Goshen.

Hickok works for Miller Poultry in Nappanee. “It is something I am familiar with. We raised chickens when I was growing up. At Miller’s I work in the office doing data entry and other administrative work.”

Her hobbies include crocheting, baking and vegetable gardening. “We’re all involved in agriculture in one way or another,” she concluded.