When I first joined Miss Agriculture USA in January of 2019, I had no idea of what I was getting into. Miss Agriculture USA is an organization of empowering young women in agriculture who advocate for the industry. We wear crowns and sashes, similar to those in beauty pageants, and compete in a competition to choose state and national winners. However, the organization is not a beauty pageant, but a non-profit with a focus on a variety of different areas in shaping and building strong, confident women. They help to build leaders, and they help women and girls develop public speaking skills and increase networking.
In Pennsylvania and Ohio, there are state competitions. Individuals represent their respective counties and their respective age divisions. I represented my county, Centre County, and was in the Miss age division (17-20 years old).
Miss Agriculture USA is an important organization to me and I’m so glad that I am able to be a part of it. This organization has introduced me to so many strong and empowering women who advocate for agriculture and each other. These women are amazing, they are so knowledgeable, so friendly, and so kind.
September is International Women’s Friendship Month and I am proud to write about the amazing people and friends that I have met through this organization during this month. I have made many new friends in Miss Agriculture USA and have made many memories to last a lifetime.
I would like to highlight just a few beautiful and amazing people that I have met during my time in Miss Agriculture USA and who inspire me to become a voice for the industry I care about so much.
Roberta Rohal Gallagher founded the organization along with her daughter Shannon Gallagher Wingert. These strong agriculture women have provided a platform for women and young girls to foster their love for agriculture and use it to help build good qualities about themselves.
Lisa Brooks is the wonderful lady who I first met through my experience with Miss Agriculture USA. She explained to me how Miss Agriculture USA worked, and she is so kind. Her young daughters, Olivia and Maddy, are even ambassadors for the organization and they have the kindest souls. Although they are young, these girls’ passion is clear and they are very inspirational to me.
All three of the above ladies are a power team! They work nonstop to provide an amazing experience for all of the queens in Miss Agriculture USA. I consider myself blessed to know these ladies and I look up to them greatly.
I also would like to acknowledge Myken Poorman. She is the FFA advisor for my rival high school, Bellefonte, but she is the sweetest lady I have ever met! She teaches agriculture to the students of Bellefonte and shares her passion with them and helps them to understand why agriculture is important. She is also someone I look up to because she is so strong and kind. Myken is a super fun person to be around and I am so glad that Miss Agriculture USA has introduced us and brought us closer!
Never in my life did I ever think that I would be walking around at fairs and activities representing an organization that gives a voice for an industry so necessary for the lives of everyone. I could not be more thankful that I decided to take the unknowing leap and join this organization. I have met so many amazing women, and have learned so many new things.
Thank you, Miss Agriculture USA for giving me amazing friends and a new Miss Agriculture USA family to look up to!