Kimmi Doran, 17, of Whiteford, comes from a family long active in the Harford County agricultural community, so being named Miss Harford Farm Bureau for 2016 Thursday during the 29th Annual Harford County Farm Fair will give her even greater opportunities to meet folks and talk about farming's importance for everyone.
Kimmi will spend the next year spreading the word about local and state agriculture as she represents the Harford County Farm Bureau at various functions, and she will compete for the title of Miss Maryland Agriculture Aug. 28 during the Maryland State Fair in Timonium.
"Teaching the public about agriculture is very important because some people from other areas don't know where their food comes from, so for them to know that the walking in the ring is the animal that is eventually on their plate is very important," she said during the question-and-answer portion of Thursday's competition.
"I am very fortunate to win this competition; I am very excited to meet as many agricultural people throughout my journey that can teach me new things so I can help teach agriculture around our county," Kimmi said afterward.
She was the only contestant in this year's competition, which usually features three contenders. There was a second contestant this year, but she dropped out at the last minute, according to Megan Keyes, co-chair of the Farm Bureau's Young Farmers group.
Kimmi is a 2016 graduate of North Harford High School and plans to study early childhood special education at Harford Community College starting in the fall. She wants to be a special education teacher.
She is the daughter of Mike Doran, owner of Highview Farms and president of the Harford Farm Bureau, and Angie Gullion. Her stepmother is Diane Doran, and her stepfather is Jason Gullion.
The mistress of ceremonies for Thursday night's program, Emmy Dallam, who was Miss Harford County Farm Bureau in 2014, asked Kimmi about the importance of teaching people about agriculture.
"Maryland has such a diverse agriculture," Kimmi said. "We are very fortunate to live in such an area where agriculture is so plentiful."
Olivia Huber, of Jarrettsville, was named Miss Farm Bureau for 2015 during last year's fair. She delivered her farewell address Thursday, and she put a black sash on Kimmi when she was announced as this year's winner.
"I made ag connections across Maryland that I never, never ever would have had without this Miss [Harford Farm Bureau] program," Huber said. "The Miss program taught me confidence; I found myself walking into an interview more confident than I have ever, ever been."
The Miss Harford Farm Bureau program is put on by the Farm Bureau's Women's Committee, with the support of many local businesses and farms and Harford farming families. The winner receives a $1,000 prize, and her family gets a complimentary membership in the Farm Bureau.
The winner of this year's Little Miss Harford County Farm Bureau was also named Thursday, 8-year-old Hannah Hill, daughter of Michele Magness-Hill and Matt Hill of Hickory Chance Farm in Bel Air.
Madison Thomas, 7, was named the first runner up. She is the daughter of Dave and Jennifer Thomas of Harkins Hill Farm in Forest Hill.