The Field Crop display at the Royal is a popular and colorful area that attracts many visitors.

A number of Islanders regularly take part in this competition and do well. Vessey Produce of York received first prize in the Rutabaga Table Swede 4-5 inch size and again took a first in the Rutabaga 5-6 inch section. They went on to take the championship award.

Cecil Godfrey of North Wiltshire placed second with his potato entry in the most unusually shaped vegetable section.

In the Giant Potato by Weight, a popular class for Island entries, Chrys Judson of Alexandra wiped the competition out and easily took the first prize with his potato weighing three pounds fifteen ounces. Cecil Godfrey placed third with a two pound twelve ounce entry followed closely in fourth by Marc Thibedeau of York with a two pound eleven ounce entry. Trevor MacDonald stood sixth with his potato entry at a respectable two pound three ounces.

Another Island entry by Wendell Taylor of Freetown picked up a blue ribbon for second in the Giant Onion Challenge trophy section.

Four Island entries found standings in the top ten market lamb carcass class.

Going all the way to second and a blue ribbon was Ean King, Montague whose lamb received $3.50 per pound at the Market Lamb Sale, while his father Doug King took a fourth placing. In the same division, Trevor MacDonald had a ninth place entry and Leone Dixon a tenth.

The following are the results:

2. Ean King

4. Doug King

9. Trevor MacDonald

10. Leone Dixon

19. Wayne Richards

20. Donna Shaw

21. Cecil Godfrey

22. George Dixon

Ask anyone about the things they fear doing most and they will tell you it is getting up in front of a group of people and giving a speech.

The nineteenth Young Speakers for Agriculture Competition was held with entrants from seven Canadian provinces vying for a top prize of $1000. Chelsey Francis of Lady Fane, representing Prince Edward Island, went all the way to the competition finals and emerged with a third place standing. A fan base of proud Islanders was there to lend support as she moved into the finalists.

From the five choices of topics from which to prepare their presentations, Francis chose “Ensuring the Safety of the Canadian Food Supply.” Besides their speaking ability, the judges were looking for a well researched presentation given with confidence and knowledge.

For third place, she was rewarded a rosette, a cash prize of $350 as well as a number of gifts.

The award for second went to another Maritimer, Louise Lockhart from Bath, New Brunswick

The competition is sponsored by a number of companies including Farm Credit Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, as well as the Royal Winter Fair. Credit Unions of Prince Edward Island sponsor the provincial competition and assist with the cost of the trip to the Royal.