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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Chyanne Martin, a 2017 graduate of Thorsby High School, has been named the 2019 National America’s Miss Agribusiness.

The scholarship pageant program focuses on promoting agribusiness, helping those in need and developing good role models for girls.

Martin received a $2,000 scholarship for her national title.

“It really came as a surprise,” Martin said. “I was the youngest in my division. The division was 20-29, and I was 20.”

She said many of the other competitors had already graduated from college and were already working in the agriculture field.

“I was kind of nervous,” Martin said.

She said the competition included, formal wear, on stage introduction, western wear, essay and personal interview.

Martin said she thought her on stage introduction was what put her over the top to win the national title.

“Whenever I talk in front of a crowd … I don’t like to be … monotone, I like to put personality into it,” Martin said. “That was my favorite part and that’s where I got most of my points from.”

She said she was most nervous about the interview portion, where she would be asked questions based on her bio.

During her reign, Martin has enjoyed traveling to events in different states and promoting agriculture. She has already been to Florida and Georgia for events.

“Promoting women in agriculture — that’s the main reason why she (Sherry Lee Crews) created this program in the first place,” Martin said. “Whenever you tell somebody to imagine a farmer the first thing that they get is this old man in overalls, they don’t think of a female.”

Martin said there are women in roles in both the science and business aspects of agriculture.

“In October, I will be attending the FFA national convention in Indianapolis,” Martin said.

She will also be attending agriculture conventions in New Orleans and Texas as well as smaller events in Georgia and Florida.

Martin also met Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate.

Her platform is “What’s in the Bucket?” focusing on proper equine nutrition.

Agriculture based competition is nothing new for Martin she competed on the Equine evaluation team with Thorsby. The team won first place at the state level and placed silver at the national level in 2016.

Martin said she has returned after graduation to help with the school’s farm day.

Martin had heard about the program when she was the 2017 Alabama United States Miss Agriculture.

Martin is a sophomore at the Clanton campus of Jefferson State Community College. She plans to attend Auburn University in Montgomery and major in secondary education with a minor in collaborative/special education.