News : FOLKMANN 2021 IOWA MISS AG ADVOCACY AMBASSADOR & 2021 MIDWEST COVER MISS US AG

Katelyn Folkmann, Benton Co., named as 2021 Iowa MIss Ag Advocacy Ambassador/Midwest Cover Miss US

Katelyn Folkmann of Newhall, Iowa was recently awarded the title of 2021 Iowa Miss Agriculture Advocacy Ambassador & 2021 Midwest Cover Miss United States Agriculture. At the Midwest Regional Miss United States Agriculture Pageant, was also awarded 1st runner up for Iowa Mis, Overall Essay for Iowa Miss, and 1st Runner up for Iowa's Peoples Choice and Overall Midwest Miss Agriculture Advocacy Ambassador.

Katelyn is the 20-year old daughter of Dean and Julie Folkmann and is currently a Senior at Cornell College in Mount Vernon. She is currently majoring in Psychology with a Minor in Theatre. On Campus she is a tour guide, RA, and currently serves as the Student Theatre Council's Treasurer. She made the Dean's List this past semester. During her reign as the 2021 Iowa Miss Agriculture Advocacy Ambassador, she hopes to continue her 99-county journey and travel through multiple states to help inspire youth, advocate for the agriculture industry and inspire women to get in higher leadership roles in the industry. She hopes to be a role model for future agriculturists through various service projects and community engagement.

Her platforms are "Bringing Awareness to Mental Health in Agriculture" and "Showing the Diversity of Agriculture." Both platforms are near and dear to her heart. She hopes to use her future career path to help individuals, especially individuals in the agriculture industry. Current conditions in the industry can place a strain on those whose livelihood is deeply rooted in agriculture.

Through her reign as the 2020 Benton County Iowa Miss Untied States Agriculture, she was able to visit over 70 farms statewide and was able to see so much diversity in 49 of Iowa's 99 Counties. The diversity within agriculture is important and she feels that it should be shared, especially with those not familiar with what agriculture is all about. She wants people to know Iowa as more than just a corn-growing state

Contestants traveled from four states, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska to Maryville, MO the weekend of November 20th - 21st, 2020 to compete for the honor to reign as an Iowa Miss United States Agriculture Queen. Between the four states, twenty-one titles and $6000 worth of scholarships were given to agriculture advocates! The crowned queens will be continuing their journey to the national stage in Orlando, Florida June 18th - 19th, 2021.

State Director, Holly Hatfield says "The idea behind the Miss United States Agriculture Pageant Program is to celebrate the agriculture industry and our local farmers all while promoting self-esteem, building strong leaders and awarding scholarships to encourage a continuous pursuit of education. As well as utilizing our vision: An advocacy program for women to teach and enhance the American Agriculture story."

To register to represent your county at the 2021 Miss United States Agriculture Pageant contestants can request information online at www.missusag.org/register.

To schedule an appearance or interview with the reigning 2021 Iowa Miss Agriculture Advocacy Ambassador, please contact Katelyn Folkmann at 319-540-4671 or kafolkmann21@gmail.com