Jasper County native new Iowa Pork Queen

The state of Iowa has a new Pork Queen and she is Breanna Branderhorst of Prairie City. The current freshman at Iowa State University is thrilled by her appointment by the Iowa Pork Producers Association and plans on making her community proud with her newfound royal status.

“I wanted it for awhile,” Branderhorst said. “My sister was a princes two years ago. And after watching her compete I knew I wanted to do it.”

While seeing her sister compete was a motivational factor, Branderhorst has made being the queen one of her goals since childhood.

“I wanted to be the Pork Queen growing up,” she said. “Growing up, you see the queens at the fairs and at other things, and I always thought that it seemed great. They were role models for me. Winning this was always a goal.”

As the reigning Pork Queen, Branderhorst will have a multitude of duties. According to the Iowa Pork Producers:

“The Iowa Pork Queen and the Iowa Pork Princess will be asked to assist with state promotional and educational activities, including: World Pork Expo, Iowa Pork Youth Conferences, Iowa State Fair, Iowa Pork Congress, PPA Committee Day and other various state promotional and educational activities.”

Branderhorst is happy to serve her duties and is still thrilled about coming out in top in the contest

“Each of the girls I competed against had their own strengths,” said Branderhorst. “During this competition I made a lot of friends. Even when we were competing we got to know each other.”

The judging for Pork Queen contestants is quite tough. Contestants have to do a 10 minute personal interview with the judges. They have to do an extemporaneous speech in relation to the pork industry, a mock media interview, a personal presentation and a “Skill-a-thon.” The Skill-a-thon tests contestants knowledge of the pork industry. And the last judging criteria is a biographical form.

“I am just excited about it,” Branderhorst said. “Jasper County is one of the smaller pork producing counties, so to win the contest is a big honor.”