If there is one crop you can count on every year in Howard County, it is the hardy batch of 4-Hers growing year-round in the rich nurturing soil that is the county's 4-H program. Many of those crops have deep roots in the community.

A part of Howard County for more than 80 years, 4-H is open to all children between the ages of 5 and 19, and is the youth development program of the Maryland Cooperative Extension.

One of the offshoots of that crop is chosen each August on the opening day of the Howard County Fair, as Miss Howard County Farm Bureau, an individual who will be a spokesperson for the agricultural community and the farm bureau, and will represent Howard County in the state competition at the Maryland State Fair.

Sponsored by the Farm Bureau Women's Committee of the Howard County Farm Bureau, the contest is open to single women, ages 16-19, who are actively engaged in the production of agricultural commodities, according to a press release. And the contestant's family must also be a member of the farm bureau.

This year, six girls will vie for the coveted title at the 63rd Annual Howard County Fair, to be held at the Howard County fairgrounds Aug. 2-9. The Miss Farm Bureau competition will be held Aug. 3.

Still in its infancy is the Future Howard County Farmer and Little Miss Howard County Farm Bureau Contest, which produced its first Future Farmer last year, Charles Cole and McKenzie Ridgely, Little Miss Howard County Farm Bureau, 2007.

The contestants, those who weren't on vacation, gathered in the dining hall at the fairgrounds the evening of July 3 for an informal information session about the contest.

Title runs in Patrick family

Caitlin Patrick, 18, was there. A recent Glenelg High School graduate, Patrick already had one crown in hand -- she is the 2007 Maryland Dairy Princess, a title which runs from July to July.

"I had just received the title and knew I would be busy with that to try out for Miss Howard County Farm Bureau," said Patrick, who explained that in the past year she has taken part in more than 100 promotions.

The Woodbine resident is unfazed by her family's strong ties to the community -- in February of this year her grandfather and grandmother, David and Ann Patrick, were inducted into the Governor's Agriculture Hall of Fame. If she wins, Patrick will be the sixth member of this farm family to hold the title.

And while she basically focuses on dairy, this year Patrick will show a market hog for the first time.

Brittany Bowman, of Frederick, and a member of the Howard County Beef Club, also has a county farming background. Her grandfather's farm was right across from the fairgrounds.

"Grandpa always encouraged me to try out," Brittany said. In last year's contest Bowman was chosen as alternate, meaning she would stand in for Laura Bradley, Miss Howard County Farm Bureau 2007, if Bradley was unable to perform her duties or make an appearance.

Jolene Putman, 16, lives in Mount Airy with her mother, Shay Murphy, a horse trainer, and her younger sister. She is very active in helping out at the family horse farm, the Sundance Equestrian Center.

"I hope to do something with horses as a career," said Putman.

Melinda Gilmer, 18, an Olney resident, is another second-time competitor and a junior advisor for the Spur & Stirrup 4-H Club. Gilmer also helps out at Clover Ridge Stables in Clarksville, and was assistant coach of the Howard County 4-H Junior Horse Bowl Team for the 2005-2006 season.

Hannah Goodmuth, 18, is also returning as a contestant this year and with a flock of nearly 50 chickens under her care, she is considered a chicken advisor in her community, according to information provided by the farm bureau.

Sixteen year-old Dayton resident and first time contestant Danielle Bauer grew up on the family farm, Rural Rhythm, and is quick to tell you her father is a full-time farmer.

"He raises corn and wheat and I want to make sure everyone knows how important farming is," said Bauer, also disclosing it was her mother, a contestant in 1985,who thought it would be a good idea for her to enter this year's competition.

Big field for Little Miss

Future Farmer and Little Miss HoCo Farm Bureau contest rules are simple.

The contestants must be between ages 8-11 as of Aug. 1, and must belong to a 4-H club or participate in an agricultural activity. The contestants must hand in a poster highlighting the agriculture activity they are involved in, which will be displayed at the fair.

In the Future Farmer category, only two contestants have come forward, Caleb Dreisman, 9, of Ellicott City and Ned Brewer, 8, of Lisbon.

Caleb, who is home schooled, is a member of the 4-H Horizon club which meets at Oakland Mill village center. Caleb also thinks 4-H is fun because "it teaches you life skills." And he loves to bake cakes, snickerdoodles and cupcakes.

Ned, a third-grader at Lisbon Elementary, is in the Clovers and takes care of rabbits and two sheep, Andy and Pearl.

"4-H is fun because you get to show animals and they are your buddies," Ned said.

The Little Miss Howard County Farm Bureau field is a bit more crowded, with 11 young ladies signed on so far and six more still uncommitted.

Shannon Jones is the 10th generation to live on a dairy farm. Shannon, 10, will be a fifth-grader at Bushy Park Elementary in the fall, but is kept busy on the farm helping to give bottles to the baby calves.

Moriah Ramsey, 10, of Silver Spring is a member of the 4-H Centaurs Club. She loves horses and explained during her introduction that she rides horses for both practice and pleasure and has a miniature pony.

Kaitlyn Hollidge, 11, of Laurel, is also active in the Centaurs Club and keeps busy with her pony and photography. "I like going to the meetings (4-H) because we do a lot of fun stuff," Kaitlyn said.

Stephanie Dunkleberger, 10, of Ellicott City is a member of the Spur & Stirrup Club and works with five horses. She will be a fourth-grader at Centennial Elementary in the fall.

Promoting agriculture a key

Annette Fleishell, Merhlyn Barnes, and Dawn Watkins (nee Knill), the 1990 Farm Queen, co-chaired the contestant committees and were there to go over what was expected of the contestants and to answer any questions they might have.

First, current queen Bradley told the girls they would be expected to attend the annual Farm Bureau dinner and the farm bureau convention in Ocean City and to visit classrooms and talk to the children about farming, an activity she really enjoyed.

Fleishell reminded the girls not to talk about something other than themselves.

"They don't want to hear just a litany -- relate what you do to the larger picture," Fleishnell said. "It is an extemporaneous test of how you can put something together quickly on the spot," she added.

Ask Merhlyn Barnes, one of the many volunteers who works on this event, what keeps them going, and she replies without hesitation.

"We need to promote agriculture."

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