She’s piquing the interest of youth early!
The first Black rodeo queen of Arkansas is teaching the importance of farming to youth, 5 News Online reports.
Ja’Dayia Kursh first became involved in rodeos when she was 13 years old, participating in pony express riding for the Arkansas Seven before spending two years with the Old Fort Days Dandies. This organization championed diversity for women in equestrian sports for four decades.
In 2017, on her 17th birthday, Kursh was crowned Miss Rodeo Coal Hill of Arkansas, making history as the first Black rodeo queen in the state. Since then, Kursh has secured several sponsorship deals, including working as a model for Wrangler jeans.
Despite her success, the River Valley native makes sure she keeps her ties to the community, recently stopping in her hometown to teach kids the importance of farming, bringing along some farm animals to showcase how agriculture impacts their everyday lives.
“It’s important that kids know agriculture because that’s our future. Farming is our whole community. Even the food from Walmart comes from someone raising it,” Kursh said.
The rodeo queen credits animals with saving her life and hopes that she can pay it forward in the lives of other young people through her work.
Thank you for your service, Ja’Dayia! Because of you, they can!
Photo Courtesy of Ja’Dayia Kursh Website