Courtney Knupp, daughter of Mark and Mary Ann Knupp of Washington, Iowa and Bethany Petersen, daughter of Lynette Petersen and Donald and Julie Petersen of Tripoli were recently crowned 2004 Iowa Pork Queen and Princess, respectively, during the Iowa Pork Congress.

Knupp is a freshman at Iowa State University majoring in agricultural business, with a secondary major in economics and a minor in international agriculture. Knupp represented the Washington County Pork Producers as their county queen this past year.

Petersen is a senior at Tripoli Community High School. She represented the Bremer County Pork Producers as their county queen this past year.

Eleven county pork queens competed for the title of the 2004 Iowa Pork Queen. The judging consisted of a personal interview, mock media interviews, a speech presentation and review of their knowledge of pork production and current issues. Knupp and Petersen will serve as ambassadors for the Iowa pork industry during their yearlong reign, assisting the state association and their county pork producer groups with promotional and educational activities.

Held during the Iowa Pork Congress, the Iowa Pork Queen Contest is coordinated by the Queens Committee of the Iowa Pork Producers Association and is funded by pork producers through the Pork Checkoff.