Royalty contest needs more seekers of throne

Adams County drumming up support for own hay royalty

ADAMS COUNTY — If an Othello agriculture analysis laboratory has its way, more people will know about an opportunity of royal proportions.

Last year at the Adams County Fair, Renee Carlson was crowned Adams County Hay Royalty, the first official year the competition has been held.

But Vaughn Garza, owner of the Othello-based AV Labs, Inc., which sponsors the Adams County crown, said her company is hoping to increase awareness amongst Adams County hay growers.

"Grant County has been doing that for a long time," Garza said, referring to the neighboring county's competition, held annually at the Grant County Fair. "Other counties do it … It just brings more people into the fair, gets Grant County hay growers recognized. Not really a new idea, we just haven't ever done it in Adams County."

Participation at the Adams County Fair in September was not very good, Garza said, because many growers were not aware that the competition was taking place.

"It's a good thing," Garza said. "It gives Adams County a little recognition. It's positive. We just need to get more information out there and let people know that it's happening."

The county royalty receives his or her crown at the Adams County Fair in September.

"It's something for (growers) to think about through the season," Garza said. "They can come into the lab in Othello and get more information from me there, but they would enter their hay at the Adams County Fair on exhibit entry day."

The competition stands to get more people involved in the fair, and more recognition for the county's growers, Garza said.

"We test a lot of hay, a lot of animal feeds," Garza explained of the reason for the laboratory's involvement in the contest.

Following the fair, hay from the competition is donated and auctioned off by the fair board. Proceeds go to maintain fair barns and facilities.