Vermilion Native Selected as the 2024 Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen

By Katara A. Williams, Ph.D.

Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center

Pageantry and royalty filled the ballroom of the New Orleans Marriott during the 102nd Annual Queen’s Contest presented by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation.

Twenty-four of Louisiana’s most poised and talented ladies representing various parishes competed for the coveted crown.  Eager to represent the organization for the upcoming year, this year’s slate of contestants participated in multiple rounds of competition, which included both interviews and evening gown presentations.

The judges narrowed the twenty-four hopefuls down to the top ten finalists, who were invited to the stage to answer an on-stage question.  Of the finalists, three ladies were ultimately selected, and Emma Nicole Stelly of Vermilion Parish was crowned the 2024 Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Queen.

“I’m overly excited! Simply speechless,” Stelly conveyed when asked about how it feels to be crowned as the new queen. “As a fifth-generation farmer and a participant of the Farm Bureau Federation Conventions for over a decade, I am honored to continue advocating for the farmers of Louisiana.”

Emma is the 19-year-old daughter of Adlar and Natachia Stelly and a 2023 graduate of Kaplan High School. Emma was Kaplan High's 2022 Student of the Year, class valedictorian, and a recipient of the Linda and Wayne Zaunbrecher scholarship for college.

She currently attends McNeese State University where she is majoring in Agricultural Science with a concentration in Agricultural Business and a minor in Mass Communications. Emma received the Rose and Charles internship opportunity with the LSU AgCenter. She will be working in plant pathology in the disease management program. Once Emma graduates, she hopes to pursue a career on her family farm where she can continue advocating for agriculture.  

Representing the state’s largest general farm organization, Stelly will spend the next year serving as the face and voice of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation.  During her reign, she will also have the opportunity to participate in various statewide festivals and events, along with a national appearance at the annual Mystick Krewe of Louisianians Mardi Gras Ball in Washington, D.C.

Chacelyn Audrey Peltier, of Iberia Parish, was named first runner-up in the contest. Second runner-up was Cesilee Oliver of Calcasieu Parish. The contestants also voted Lillian “Lily” Gail Westbrooks, of Caldwell Parish, Miss Congeniality.

The Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen's Contest is sponsored by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Women's Committee.

Founded in 1921, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general farm organization representing more than 146,000 member families.