Sara Emick wants everyone to consider the key role farmers play in our daily lives.

Emick, 22, will represent the Ancaster Agricultural Society at this year’s Ambassador of the Fairs competition at the Canadian National Exhibition, Aug. 16 to 18. Her goal is to make the top three and, if things go really well, maybe become the first-ever contestant from Ancaster to win the Ambassador of the Fairs title.

“The agricultural industry is a really intense business and with the introduction of the new Canada Food Guide and the changes that are happening, it’s important to know how much hard work goes into farming and agriculture itself,” said Emick, And it’s not as easy as just going to the grocery store to pick up some eggs. Farmers are working hard to provide food for the world, not just in Ontario but on a national and international level.”

Emick is a lifelong Ancaster resident. Her family’s been involved with the Ancaster Agricultural Society for many generations, so much so that there’s a room named for Emick’s great uncle, Michael.

Emick’s family has a longtime involvement in western horseback riding and Emick started volunteering with the Ancaster Agricultural Society at a young age. She’s been assisting the poultry committee for the past eight years.

As a child, Emick always looked up to the Ancaster Fair Ambassador, so achieving the title herself was like a dream come true.

“The reason why I applied to be ambassador was I really wanted to stress the education of agriculture,” said Emick. “I feel like a lot of people don’t recognize where their food is coming from and what’s going on behind the scenes.”

Emick was also inspired by her grandfather, Peter.

“Seeing his involvement and how dedicated he was, it was really a goal of mine to show him how appreciative I am,” she said.

Along with the CNE and other public appearances, Emick is looking forward to this year’s Ancaster Fair, running Sept. 19 to 22. The theme for 2019 is: “Family ties and homemade pies.”

Some of Emick’s favourite things to do at the fair are checking on the pigeons, watching the demolition derbies and grabbing a bacon-on-a-bun or a Hewitt’s chocolate ice cream.

Emick is looking forward to a career that should place her firmly in the public eye. She recently graduated from the public relations postgrad program at Humber College, after earning a degree in child and youth studies at Brock University.

She’s set to begin an internship with Bell Media in December.

Overall, said Emick, the fair ambassador role has been an awesome experience.

“It’s really allowed me to work on my public speaking and my networking abilities,” she said. “I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

Females and males, aged 18 to 25, who are unmarried and without children are invited to apply for the role of Ancaster Fair Ambassador. The ambassador represents the Ancaster Agricultural Society at the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies Convention in February in Toronto, parades throughout the summer, at the CNE in August, and at other events held in conjunction with the Ancaster Fair.