Farm Bureau backs Miss America's platform

The American Farm Bureau Federation and American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture are pleased to support Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell and her platform of “Healthy Children, Strong America,” which encourages children to make healthy choices and stay physically active.

Cantrell, who grew up on a 700-acre farm in Warner Robins, Ga., will join Foundation Executive Director Julie Tesch in introducing the First Peas to the Table Contest. This new national competition for schools will encourage children in kindergarten through fifth grade to plant, raise and harvest peas this spring.

The contest was announced on Feb. 15 at AFBF’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference in Kansas City, Mo.

“We’re honored to have Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell join us as we launch the First Peas to the Table Contest,” Tesch said. “Getting your hands dirty is the best way to learn! Through this contest, we aim to provide fun, hands-on learning opportunities for students across the country,” she said.

The contest highlights the Foundation’s latest Book of the Year, “First Peas to the Table,” by Susan Grigsby. The contest was created to help students understand the importance of healthy foods and agriculture in their everyday lives, and to increase their understanding of how plants grow. Classrooms will compete for the grand prize of a visit from Cantrell.