Mo State Fair Queen Claire Walker Pursuing Career in Agribusiness

Claire Walker of Chillicothe was named the 2024 Missouri State Fair Queen in a ceremony held Thursday, Aug. 8.

Walker received the highest score of 31 contestants vying for the title in the two-day competition, held in the Mathewson Exhibition Center. Miss Walker will reign over the remaining State Fair events and be an ambassador for the State Fair and Missouri agriculture throughout the coming year.

Walker is the 19-year-old daughter of Brice and Tiffany Walker and is currently attending the University of Missouri in Columbia majoring in Agribusiness Management, and minoring in Animal Science and International Ag. As Queen, she will receive a $2,000 scholarship to continue her education.

Walker entered as Miss Livingston County and is the daughter of Brice and Tiffany Walker.

Walker has participated in the Fair in numerous activities, including showing Simmental cattle, exhibiting in the both 4-H and FFA Buildings. She has also volunteered her time at the Missouri Cattlemen's Beef House.

I caught up with Queen Walker on Tuesday at the Nucor Pavilion, where she was meeting and greeting, as well as handing out chocolate chip cookies to the hundreds of FFA members who were in Sedalia to help pack meals for  Missouri FFA Food Insecurity Service Day's “Drive to Feed Kids.”

FFA members were fed lunch at the pavilion, and by noon had already packed 95,000 meals. Their goal was 175,000 by the end of the day.

“The Fair's been super exciting … I've been having a lot of fun, and I've got to interact with a lot of people, who I know are also having a great time at the Fair,” Walker said.

“I grew up on a Century Family Farm raising Simmental cattle, very active in FFA and all of that culminated into getting me here,” Walker told KSIS, adding that as she has gotten older, she appreciates how diverse Missouri's agriculture industry is. She explained that in her neck of the woods, it's mainly cattle, soybeans and corn, the bootheel area produces rice, cotton, watermelon and peanuts.

“After I get my undergrad, I'd like to go back and get my Masters in Ag Communication, and I just want to keep up the tradition of advocating for agriculture … because you can tell someone as many facts as you want, but it isn't until you tell them a personal story, that's how you make those connections, and that's how you can find that passion and love for the industry,” Walker said.

Her dad previously worked as crop insurance agent while raising Simmental cattle and planting row crops. “Now some of it's in CRP (Conservation Reserve Program).

In exchange for a yearly rental payment, farmers who are enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program program agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality.

“We also have a lot of hay,” Walker noted.

Queen Walker has a brother, Clayton, 22, who is currently in South Dakota working on a cattle ranch. “That's one of his biggest passions, is working with cattle. While I'm super happy for him, he is a few hours away and I miss him. But it's nice for him to be able to pursue what he wants,” Walker said.

When complimented on her public speaking skills, Queen Walker noted that “FFA is something that has really helped me get better with public speaking,” she said. “Joining FFA, you truly realize that whenever you talk about the three-circle model – premiere leadership, personal growth and career success – they are truly getting you ready for everything; whether it be talking to someone you've never met before, or getting thrown into a situation and being able to make the most of it and trying to get your passions out there, (FFA) has totally prepared me and made me a lot more comfortable when it comes to this role (as queen),” Walker told KSIS.

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Participants in the Queen Pageant were judged in multiple areas including interview, speech, talent and evening gown.

Rachel Ancell, Missouri Sheep Producers Representative, was named first runner-up and will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Second runner-up went to Miss Scotland County, Emma Harvey, who will receive a $500 scholarship. The third runner-up honor went to Miss NEMO Fair, Allison Pollard, who will receive a $350 scholarship, and the fourth runner-up honor went to Miss Platte County, Trinity Wrightfield, who will receive a $250 scholarship.

Recognition plaques went to contestants ranking highest in each of the four competitive categories: Abby Loesing, Miss Washington Town and Country Fair, received top ranking in Interview; Miss Ancell received top ranking in Speech; Miss Pollard received top ranking in Evening Gown; and Miss Johnson County, Taylor Skelton, received top ranking in Talent.