The Orangeville Agricultural Society is seeking applicants for this year's junior and senior fair ambassador competitions with applications required by July 30.

The winner of the competition will go on to represent the society at many different events and fairs during the fair season.

As well, he or she would go on to compete at the CNE competition.

Current Fair Ambassador Ashley Duern said the experience has been exciting and has given her many opportunities to meet new people and improve on her public speaking skills.

"Since I was crowned I've improved so much," she said.

She stated you don't need to come from a agricultural background to be able to enter.

However, for this year's competition you must be 18 years old by midAugust 2007.

Ashley has lots of prior experience with the annual fall fair. She use to show beef and she shows dairy.

She wanted to give back to the fair for what they had done for her.

Competitors will be judged on personality, charm, appearance, deportment, interview and speech, community knowledge and involvement.

They are required to give a three-minute speech on an aspect of agriculture, agricultural societies or the Orangeville Fair.

The competition for the senior fair ambassador will be held on Friday, September 1.

The junior competition is open to students in grade 6, 7, or 8 by August 1. These competitors will be judged on the same elements as the senior competitors and a two minute speech on "the historical development of agriculture in Dufferin County over 125 years" or "the future of agriculture in Dufferin County for the next 125 years".

This competition will be held on Friday, August 25 with the winner announced on September 1.

In last year's competition there was a tie for the junior title. Both Morgan Henderson and Alexandra Beech were crowned as the junior fair ambassador.

Morgan has grown up with an agricultural background and has been riding horses for seven years.

"I love agriculture, it's practically my life," she said.

She said it's a really good experience where you meet a lot of new people and have fun.

Alexandra states that it was an honour to be crowned co-junior fair ambassador and looks forward to competing for the senior title in the future.

The history of the competition dates back to 1972 when Nora Henry was crowned fair queen. In 1991 it changed to fair ambassador so that males could compete as well. The winner that year was Debra Whitten.