Farm to Plate

WASILLA — Kimberly McGrath was recently crowned as Alaska’s Miss United State Agriculture and will leave the state to compete for the national crown in June. In the meantime, McGrath will continue to visit schools and other groups to educate the community on Alaska’s agricultural ideas and practices.

“I am honored to represent Alaska in the 2018 National Miss United States Agriculture Pageant in Alabama; and I’m looking forward to educating the rest of the country about Alaska’s agricultural ideas and practices,” McGrath said.

Contestants compete based on their age levels and marital status: Baby Miss ( 0-23 Months), Tiny Miss ( 2 – 3 years), Future Little Miss ( 4 – 5 years), Little Miss ( 6- 7 years), Petite Miss ( 8 – 10 years), Junior Miss ( 11 -13 years), Teen Miss ( 14 – 16 years), Miss ( 17 – 21 years), Ms. (22-30 years), and Mrs. (22-30 years).

In 2008, Ciera Nitkowski started the United States Miss Agriculture pageant program in Dothan, Alabama as an effort to host a simple food drive for their local rescue mission. The pageant took off thereafter and became a national endeavor to celebrate the nation’s agriculture industry and farmers, all while promoting self-esteem, building strong leaders and awarding scholarships. Thirty-four states participated last year and the amount of interest and involvement grows steadily each year.

“I think local agricultural efforts are incredibly important, especially to the youth,” McGrath said. “Children and adults need to know where their food comes from and understanding the farm to plate cycle.”

When McGrath found out about the relatively new pageant, she was immediately interested. She sent in her resume and it was reviewed by the state’s pageant committee. Unlike other states, Alaska does not hold a regional competition. She was elated to find out she won the Alaskan crown and could start spreading her home grown knowledge and experience.

“I also was incredibly interested in educating people on the positivity of agriculture, and the benefits to home grown produce.”

McGrath is 21 years old and she’s currently attending the University of Alaska Anchorage, majoring in biological science and minoring in dance. After college, she plans to work alongside animal conservation centers to help rehabilitate wild animals. She fostered a love for animals growing up on the family farm and through her countless hours spent working with 4-H and the Future Farmers of America (FFA). In a time where older farmers are hanging up their hats, McGrath seems to aim a lot of her educational platform towards young children- the potential, future farmers.

“So far I have spoken to a few elementary schools on Alaska’s agriculture industry of greenhouse products, held hands on activities to show seed germination, educational book readings, and question/answer sessions. I plan to use my title this summer at the Alaska State Fair to educate more of the population on what they can do to be eco-friendly, along with volunteering in the animal and static barns.”

McGrath lives in Anchorage but she plans to meet more farmers in the Mat-Su Valley and surrounding state while representing the title of Miss United States Agriculture Alaska hoping to learn new techniques.

“The Mat-Su Valley has over 800,000 acres of agriculture products,” she said. “Ranging from greenhouses, hay, dairy, vegetables, and cattle production. Most of these farms are family owned by an older generation. My thought to the valleys current state would be to increase the younger generation participation.”

McGrath said that while Alaska has a lot of land, much of it cannot currently be used for agricultural purposes. She believes that adopting new agricultural practices could change that in the future, starting with educating the Future Farmers of Alaska in schools.

“Personally, I do not have anything in mind that I think that should be tried as new to the Valley, but I would like to increase the number of students involved in Future Farmers of America (FFA), and 4-H groups,” McGrath said. “If I could assist the recruiting process of these clubs and activities to increase the number of participants, I think it could be a good contributing factor to the valleys society.”

When it comes to starting new agricultural trends and practices, one can start small. McGrath wants more people to know where their food comes from and encourages more people to start growing their own.

“If everyone in Alaska tried to grow even one produce item, I think they would find out how much better fresh produce is rather than store bought; in regards to taste and health benefits.

Nationals are June 23 and McGrath is currently raising $500 to help cover traveling expenses for her trip.

“I plan on using my title to educate the rest of the United States on Alaska as a whole and Alaska’s agriculture, and to bring different practices from the lower 48 up to Alaska’s farmers,” she said as to her plans if she wins the national title.

“(If I don’t win) I will continue to strive to educate the community about Alaska’s agriculture and the farm-to-plate cycle.”

McGrath is currently raising funds for her trip to Alabama. Her fundraising page is: uk.gofundme.com/miss-us-agriculture-alaska