Bieber crowned EP Farm Bureau Queen during annual meeting

By: HEATHER BOGARD
Lifestyles Editor

The 64th Annual Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau Meeting and Queen’s Contest was held Sunday, March 6, at the Northside Civic Center.
President Richard Fontenot welcomed everyone and thanked the women’s committee and everyone else who helped make the evening possible. He also gave a brief president’s report on the past year in agriculture throughout the state and Evangeline Parish. He stated that 2015 had been a very interesting year of extremes, with the record flooding in North Louisiana and the hottest months on record in June and July, and noted that all of the crops had been subjected to a decrease in production due to the extremes. He also thanked outgoing queen Rheagan Ortego for her wonderful reign as Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau Queen, saying she did a fantastic job representing the parish at the state convention in New Orleans.
During the convention, Fontenot said, Ronnie Anderson was re-elected as president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau and he himself was elected as third vice president, an honor and privilege he was happy to accept. He said that at the convention, attendees heard the candidates for governor discuss agricultural issues important to the state and that Governor John Bel Edwards, along with the other leaders, understands the agricultural needs and importance to the state. He also noted that the parish has “soldiers” of agriculture in Senator Eric LaFleur and Representative Bernard LeBas, who know the parish economy and needs of the area. Fontenot closed by saying, it is an honor to serve as president and he is very fortunate to get to see how the various parishes throughout the state handle the many farming issues that come up each year.
After his report, Fontenot then introduced vice president Scotty Fontenot, who presented the list of nominees for the board of directors and also presented the treasury report to the members in attendance. Agent Winston Fontenot presented the insurance report and commended the office staff for always doing a wonderful job. Richard then introduced the two new agents who started at the agency this year, Julius Bischoff and Jacob Fontenot, who each said a few words to introduce themselves to the members in the audience.
Before the new queen was crowned Ortego gave her farewell address, thanking Farm Bureau and everyone who helped make her year a fun and successful one, saying she enjoyed her reign and made some wonderful memories. She also wished the new queen well.
Emcee Jeremy Ortego then announced Heidi Bieber as the 64th Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau Queen. Bieber is the 17-year-old daughter of Kody and Shelly Bieber of Mamou. She is a student at St. Edmund High School in Eunice, where she is a member of the softball, track and cross country teams, cheerleading squad, National Honor Society, student council and ACT 22 plus. She has been elected secretary of the National Honor Society, served as secretary/treasurer of the student council, captain of the 2015-2016 cheerleader squad and is also the 2016 class treasurer. She also serves as president of the Campus Ministry. After graduating from high school, Bieber plans to attend LSU-Eunice. Her hobbies include hunting, fishing, spending time with family and friends and hanging out on her father’s farm.