Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau Queen Charley Marie Bieber

“As Evangeline Parish’s Farm Bureau Queen, I’ve been able to travel Louisiana and participate in gatherings of agricultural committees, clubs, organizations, and businesses,” proclaims outgoing Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau Queen Charley Marie Bieber. She continues, “It has also given me an opportunity to experience possible careers which brightens the future for me and the world of agriculture.”
Bieber, the 18-year-old daughter Michelle and Charles Bieber II of Mamou, is the granddaughter of Yvette and the late Charles Bieber and Linda and Clem Manuel. A graduate of University Academy of CENLA, she is currently pursuing a degree in Agricultural Business with a minor in Political Science at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. She is also pursuing private studies and enjoys serving the Ruston community at a popular local restaurant. Her hobbies include going to games and attending events on campus, shooting sports, and coaching youth who are interested in shooting sports.
After completing college, Bieber shares, “My future plans include furthering my education and to one day become a lobbyist for an agricultural business or organization. Being that this decision was influenced by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, I hope to be working or involved with this organization or one similar. As always, I support and want to help those who work in acres instead of hours!”
Prior to her reign as Farm Bureau Queen, Bieber has held numerous titles, mostly in Evangeline Parish. “This,” she says, “has given me so much experience to prepare for this reign and to represent, not just Farm Bureau, but our amazing parish as well. This title holds a special place in my heart because I was given the opportunity to promote my love, passion, and everyone’s future - agriculture!”
Bieber recalls, “The most memorable moment of my reign was the state competition itself. I met some of the most beautiful and smart women/candidates who are involved in the Louisiana Farm Bureau, as well as all the farmers, agriculturists, and businessmen who attend the Louisiana Farm Bureau convention to make for an incredible organization. I always become inspired when meeting new people in this organization.”
One of the most important events Bieber attended during her reign was the Louisiana Tournoi Pageant. She recalls, “I really enjoyed emceeing the Louisiana Tournoi Pageant. I held the title for about three consecutive years prior to holding the Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau title. Being given the opportunity to announce the next queen was very heart filling for me, all while representing my dream title.”
In addition to the Louisiana Tournoi Pageant, Bieber was able to attend some parish events, such as the 4-H Livestock Show. She shares, “This was my first year not competing in livestock shows, so it was nice to sit back and watch the youth learn sportsmanship and leadership. They may not notice it, but the children ranging from elementary to high schoolers are promoting agriculture in a huge way, keeping this sport alive is a great method of supporting the world of agriculture.”
On being a good representative of any festival or organization a queen represents, Bieber admits, “There is a lot more behind the girl with a crown. To be a good festival queen is to gain experience and knowledge and apply it to your everyday life. Whether you have some experience or not, you must take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities and explore what this unique parish, state, and country has to offer. Also, a festival queen’s main job is to represent the organization or festival she belongs to, and to do it precisely. Representing the Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau has been honorable, and is my favorite quality as a festival queen.”
During her time as Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau Queen, Bieber has learned that, “A queen always advocates for the title that is being held, no matter where you are.” She continues, “For part of my reign, I moved to a completely different region of the state to attend college. In doing so, I incorporated the advocacy of my title into my studies and when attending events on campus.”
To her successor, Bieber shares these thoughts, “Whatever you do, do it with passion. Take advantage of all the great opportunities that this title offers, to open doors for yourself and apply the knowledge you learn to the public. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau board for allowing me to serve them as their queen, and best of luck to the future for all!”
Bieber has many people to thank for helping her reign be a successful one. She says, “I would like to thank the Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau board for making this reign possible, I would also like to thank the Louisiana Farm Bureau state board for giving us a superior pageant, the candidates of other parishes in the state pageant for inspiration, my professors and colleagues who have brightened my knowledge of agriculture and allowing me to share the importance of this incredible organization, and most of all my family for supporting me and making my travels and reign more facile.”
Reigning through Covid, while not at its peak, had its challenges, and Bieber shares, the 2021 state pageant was a bit different. She says, “I think I could not have imagined it any differently and am grateful that the state Farm Bureau board agreed to let the show go on with some minor alterations. Excluding the state competition, a few of Louisiana’s fantastic festivals have been canceled, postponed, or had an attendance limit. This made my travels and job of representing the Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau challenging, but manageable. For the queens whose reign was affected by Covid, along with anyone else who is still suffering from the pandemic, I hope everything goes back to our normal traditions. Always remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”