By Amy Burtch
Nothing is more refreshing on a summer day than a slice of bright red watermelon. It’s sweet, juicy and never disappoints.
Considering this, who wouldn’t want to be the NC Watermelon Queen?
Annually, the NC Watermelon Association (NCWA) selects an NC Watermelon Queen, and this year’s recipient is Elle Steinlage, a rising senior in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) at NC State University.
Steinlage not only reigns as the queen of watermelons, but she’s also a proven CALS leader, engaging and encouraging other CALS students as a college ambassador and active member of CALS clubs.
Ag Roots Run Deep
Steinlage comes from agricultural roots – with her father and mother both raised in rural Kansas, one on a dairy farm and the other with a family that grew wheat.
She learned about the business of agriculture by watching her father work in Research Triangle Park, first with Bayer Crop Science and then with Atticus, a company started by CALS graduate Randy Canady that focuses on crop protection.
“I learned about the crucial role of agriculture in sustaining our communities,” says Steinlage, who is majoring in agricultural science. “Everyone eats three times per day, which means everyone needs a farmer three times per day.”
As a CALS student, Steinlage discovered the NC Watermelon Queen internship opportunity. First, she met a former queen in class and then a visiting alumna shared her experience in the role during another class presentation.
“I thought it would be a unique way to spend my summer and would allow me to learn about the industry directly from the growers and establish a new network of agricultural professionals,” she says.
Earning the Crown
Young women with an interest in promoting agriculture apply to be the NC Watermelon Queen, with North Carolina being one of eight associations with this opportunity.
Steinlage was crowned during the 42nd Annual NCWA Convention held earlier this year at Wrightsville Beach after participating in a pageant-style job interview, based on the applicants’ communication skills.
“My central job as NC Watermelon Queen is to promote the production and consumption of watermelon,” Steinlage explains. She is also responsible for maintaining NCWA social media platforms.
With summer being peak watermelon season, this queen has kept a busy schedule, including participating in fairs, festivals, farm tours and sporting events.
“I attend various farmers markets, recently the State Farmers Market and Midtown Farmers’ Market,” says Steinlage, “and I brought watermelons to the NC State Wolfpack Football team and distributed slices during the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston.”
She particularly enjoys events involving NASCAR Driver Ross Chastain, an eighth-generation watermelon farmer known for smashing watermelons following race wins. He regularly participates in events with the state’s watermelon queens, including a promotional event with Steinlage at Food Lion Corporate in Salisbury.
In June, eight watermelon queens traveled to Washington, D.C., to lobby on Capitol Hill during an International Fresh Produce Association conference, discussing the challenges watermelon growers face.
“Being a queen exposes me to farmers, growers, shippers – everyone involved in industry,” Steinlage says. “I’ve learned about the complexity and significance of promoting a fruit that takes considerable hard work to produce.”
CALS Preps Foundation
This title (and tiara) feels fitting for a CALS student who has consistently sought ways to make a difference during her academic career.
A former CALS Ambassador, Steinlage assumes a new role this school year by representing her department as an Agricultural and Human Sciences (AHS) Ambassador for the 2025-26 school year.
“I love the ambassador experience,” she says. “We lead different events promoting the college, meeting prospective high school and transfer students and introducing them to NC State and CALS specifically.”
Also in her senior year, Steinlage will serve as President of the Agricultural Communicators Program, a cross-college scholars program between CALS and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ Department of Communication.
“The program sets up ag students for future success,” she says, “because we meet industry professionals and network with them.”
The scholars meet biweekly, sometimes selecting a “hot topic in agriculture” and comparing two media pieces with this focus. They then analyze the effectiveness of how the media conveys and displays its messaging.
Steinlage also participates in the Ag Business Management Club, which also invites agricultural industry, trade and academic professionals to speak with students.
“My participation in these CALS opportunities has instilled vital communication skills, so I can effectively educate the general public about watermelons in my current role as queen,” she says.
Future Growth
Steinlage is quick to thank her CALS academic advisor Mary Kate Lanier for supporting her pursuit of professional and academic goals.
“Elle is an outstanding leader, highlighted by her intelligence, work ethic and joyful spirit,” Lanier says. “From excelling in academics to serving as a campus ambassador and engaging in competitive agricultural leadership programs, Elle consistently stands out.”
Following graduation, Steinlage is considering pursuing an agriculture industry position in marketing and communications to bridge the gap between producers and consumers, with graduate school potentially in her future.
“CALS clubs and my involvement outside of the classroom have enabled me to make meaningful connections and obtain resources needed to succeed,” says Steinlage.
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