By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Victoria Kolb has been crowned as the new Ontario Queen of the Furrow at this year's 2025 International Plowing Match (IPM) in Niagara Region.

The Ontario Queen of the Furrow Competition is organized by the Ontario Plowmen's Association (OPA) and the IPM Local Committee.

Previously, the competitors had won the competition held by their local Branch Association.

When competing for the Ontario Queen of the Furrow title at the IPM, each local Queen is required to plow, give a short speech on agriculture, and have an interview with a panel of three judges who accompany the Queens at the Match, according to the OPA website. 

Kolb was crowned the Peel-Dufferin Queen of the Furrow in 2024.

Kolb says that although she was initially “shocked,” at the announcement of her victory as Ontario Queen of the Furrow, she is looking forward to the exciting year ahead.

Her main responsibility will be to promote next year's IPM, and she'll be able to travel to different communities, promoting not just agriculture, but “women in agriculture” as well.

Kolb says the competition itself was a lot of fun, with her favourite aspect being the plowing.

“I really enjoyed just hopping on a tractor, something that feels a little bit more comfortable,” she says.

In her previous role as Peel-Dufferin Queen of the Furrow, Kolb helped to promote the Peel-Dufferin plowing match in addition to attending different local events, such as the Fair and Santa Claus parade.

She says being in that role allowed her to get out in the community and get to know those in the area differently.

Being the Ontario Queen of the Furrow, she adds, is a new challenge that she's excited to take on.

Kolb says she's looking forward to not only meeting new people but also exploring her “own province” and places she hasn't been before.

Growing up in the Caledon area, Kolb spent much of her life before this new role actively involved in the community.

“I grew up volunteering at the Bolton Fair. My parents are both volunteers, my grandparents were volunteers, and so since I can remember, I've been volunteering at the fair,” she says.

She also volunteered with Girl Guides for 10 years in Bolton, and has been a 4-H member in Peel since she was nine years old.

Through these programs, she shares that she has been able to reach the community in numerous ways.

Taking her community with her into her new role as Ontario Queen of the Furrow is “rewarding,” Kolb says.

“When they hear Peel-Dufferin, everyone knows somebody somewhere. There are a lot of connections that I get to hear, and having been a part of the Peel-Dufferin community for so long, a lot of people recognize the last name,” shares Kolb.

She shares that many come up and ask about others in the Peel-Dufferin area, or remark about her role in the community. 

“It's very rewarding to be able to be so connected to the community; it does stay with me as I'm going to all these small towns around Ontario. It's not something that gets lost because it's so strongly connected to me,” says Kolb.