Victoria Elise Roussel of Vermilion Parish has been crowned the 2019 Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen.
Roussel was crowned Saturday night during Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation’s 97th Annual Convention.
After a three-day competition with interviews to test her knowledge of the agricultural industry and the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, Roussel, 19, captured the title of Queen after competing with 23 other parish queens. Roussel, along with the other top 10 finalists, was asked to explain why she thought it is important that kindergarten through twelfth-grade students know about agriculture.
“Being educated in agriculture is a great thing for kids because not everyone has that correct understanding of how your food is made or what goes into that process,” Roussel said. “I think it is important that they are educated through programs like Ag in the Classroom because the younger generation will need to step up and take the place of the previous generation of farmers.” She added, “Agriculture can’t be agriculture without farmers, and we need farmers.”
Roussel will spend the next year representing the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation throughout the entire state at various festivals and events and the Mystick Krewe of Louisianians Mardi Gras in Washington D.C.
Roussel is the daughter of Mark Roussel and Donise Girouard of Abbeville. She is a graduate of Kaplan High School and is currently attending McNeese State University studying radiology.
Sara Toal, of Rapides Parish, was named first runner-up in the contest. Second runner-up was Caroline Doise of Jefferson Davis Parish. The contestants also voted Grace Fife, of Franklin Parish, Miss Congeniality.
The Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen’s Contest is sponsored by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Women’s Committee and concluded the youth events in a week jam-packed with activity during the organization’s annual meeting.
*All photos courtesy Louisiana Farm Bureau
