Miss Rodeo Mississippi 2018: Taylor McNair

Written by

In 1978, Paul Harvey delivered his famous speech, “So God Made a Farmer”. He said, “And on the eighth day, God looked down at His planned paradise and said I need a caretaker, so God made a farmer.” Who do you think of when you hear Mr. Harvey’s decades-old statement? Taylor McNair, Miss Rodeo Mississippi 2018, thinks of her grandfather, father, and herself. Coincidentally, in 1978, the very same year of that famous speech, Taylor’s grandfather and father fulfilled a lifelong dream and established a farm of their own, McNair Farms.

What began as a dream has now expanded to more than 100 head of beef cattle and 2,800 acres of row crops (corn, soybeans, and wheat). Following in their footsteps, Taylor is now a proud 3rd generation farmer and rancher. Taylor says, “Life on the farm as I know it began the very day that I was born. I’m proud to say I have never known another life outside of agriculture. Somedays I wish that I had a brother because being the farmer’s daughter comes with a lot of hard labor. Then again, I wouldn’t trade the memories and hard work ethic I’ve developed for anything.”

Miss Rodeo Mississippi’s involvement with 4-H brought her even closer to her agriculture-centered lifestyle. She exhibited beef cattle, horses, dairy goats, market hogs, market lambs, and even poultry. Retrospectively, she knows that the skills she developed from showing livestock and working on the farm have instilled the strong character and determination she possesses today. Furthermore, Taylor says, “it has deepened my love for our agriculture community, heightened my respect for farmers and ranchers, and given me the desire to pursue a career in agriculture myself.”

Rodeo has been a very important part of Taylor’s life for the past nine years. Not only has she enjoyed competing in barrel racing but also competing and holding rodeo queen titles, most notably Miss Dixie National 2014 and Miss Rodeo Mid-South 2016. On January 13th, 2018, Taylor was crowned Miss Rodeo Mississippi. As the 42nd young woman the wear the crown, Taylor has the opportunity to travel and promote the state of Mississippi, its agricultural roots, and professional rodeo for the year of 2018. This year Taylor will travel thousands of miles to showcase Mississippi and educate those outside of our rodeo community about the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

She prides herself on being a knowledgeable and approachable representative. Since January, she has already attended rodeos in 7 different states and spoke to over 2,000 kids. Some of her favorite memories so far have been carrying Old Glory at the Dixie National Livestock Show & Rodeo (Jackson, Mississippi), riding in the covered wagons at the Southwest District Livestock Show & Rodeo (Lake Charles, Louisiana), and experiencing snow at the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo (Denver, Colorado.) In December, Taylor aspire to earn the national title of Miss Rodeo America.