“Celebrating the past…. Embracing the future”, the 2010 Elgin- St.Thomas International Plowing Match will do just that. 2010 marks the 50th year of the Queen of the Furrow Program, Elgin County is the proud home to the first ever Ontario Queen of the Furrow Competition and first Ontario Queen of the Furrow, Lynda Prong. Melissa Sparling, the 2010 Ontario Queen of the Furrow, is looking forward to traveling around Ontario promoting this fine display of rural excellence. She is incredibly honoured to be promoting the Ontario Plowmen’s Association and The 2010 Elgin- St.Thomas International Plowing Match. You can look for her at farm shows, plowing matches, spring, summer and fall fairs, and any other agricultural event.

Melissa is currently in her second year of the Horticulture Technician program at Fanshawe College; where she also works part time as a work study student performing a wide variety of tasks in the greenhouse. After completing the Horticulture program she plans to attend Olds College in Alberta to complete her Applied Degree in Greenhouse Production.

Melissa grew up on a Jersey farm, Jaspar Jerseys, south of Varna, Ontario. She represented The Huron County Plowmen’s Association when she was crowned in September 2009 at the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in Temiskaming.

Melissa has spent the past 10 years as an active 4-H member of the local dairy club as well as taking part in many life skills clubs. She has been a junior leader helping younger members meld into the 4-H program. This year she looks forward to becoming a 4-H leader as her many years as a member have come to end, she is now ready to give back to the program. Melissa has also been instrumental in forming the Huron Junior Farmers Club, which has recently started up in Huron County. Melissa has always been an active part of her community and loves to spread the word about the importance of Agriculture in Canada.

The Ontario Plowmen’s Association and the International Plowing Match are dedicated to the support and development of rural youth in Ontario. Melissa could not be more proud to promote and be an advocate for the 2010 Elgin- St.Thomas International Plowing Match. Next time you see her at an event take time to stop for a handshake or share a story.