By Kaitlyn Eichelberger
Elizabeth Lynch began riding horses when she was just 5, which ultimately led to her love of agriculture. Nearly 20 years later, this passion has brought about Lynch’s crowning as Miss West Virginia 2022.
Founded in 1923, the Miss West Virginia Organization selects the state’s representative in the Miss America Pageant. This year’s representative is Lynch, a Martinsburg native and first-generation farmer.
Contestants have the opportunity to receive scholarships, something that motivated Lynch to compete.
“The Miss America Organization is so much more than crowns and heels,” Lynch says on her website. “Miss America promotes hard-working, educated women.” After completing her Ph.D., Lynch’s 10 years of schooling will leave her debt-free, primarily due to the scholarships she’s earned from pageants.
Over the years, Lynch has also held the titles of Miss Berkeley County Youth Fair, Miss Berkeley County, Miss North-Eastern and Miss Jefferson County.
Winning the Miss West Virginia pageant on June 25 was a surprise, said Lynch.
“It was a surreal moment, it felt like I needed to be woken up from a dream,” she said. “When I won, the first thing I wanted to do was hug the people I competed with.”
The pageants create a close-knit community, Lynch said. The contestants support one another through every step of their journeys.
“I have met some of my best friends through this organization,” she said. “We truly support each other through everything we do. It has everything to do with building each other up.”
Lynch’s family and friends have been pillars of support throughout her life — first when she became interested in agriculture as a child, and now, as she’s making her way toward the Miss America Pageant.
Lynch has faced challenges as a first-generation farmer. Her family was surprised by her spark of enthusiasm for riding horses and raising swine but did all they could to encourage this interest.
“We put both feet forward and jumped into the agricultural world together,” she said. “They weren’t afraid to jump into the pig pen with me. Being a first-generation farmer has been a little difficult, but it’s so worth it.”
Participating in 4H and FFA allowed her to become involved in the agricultural world at a young age. The beginning of FFA’s Creed, “I believe in the future of agriculture,” cemented Lynch’s dedication to the industry. She knew she wanted to be a part of that future. This goal is made clear in her social impact initiative, “Growing Up, Growing Ag: Advocating for Appalachian Agriculture.”
Her social impact initiative aims to foster an appreciation for farmers and awareness of where food comes from.
With an agricultural community of mainly small, family-owned farms, the importance of the industry is something that many West Virginians know well. According to Statistica, one farmer provided food for 164 people in 2015-16. Despite this, the American Farm Bureau Federation reports that farmers receive 8 cents per dollar from their product; the rest pays for production wages and materials, processing, marketing, transportation and distribution. Lynch also focuses on sustainable farming, as the current fast-paced agricultural industry creates many issues for the environment.
Lynch intends to raise awareness about these issues in every step of her life — during her time as Miss West Virginia, at the Miss America Pageant and throughout her career.
Lynch has many plans for her year as Miss West Virginia.
Currently, she travels the state and discusses the agricultural industry’s importance in everyday life. She speaks with West Virginia farmers and agriculturalists in weekly Farmer Friday interviews, allowing them to share their stories and bridge the gap between producers and consumers.
“I love my Farmer Friday interviews; they’re something I’m really proud of,” Lynch said. “It gives the audience a chance to see where their food is coming from.”
She aims to form partnerships between the Miss West Virginia Organization and WVU Extension, the state Department of Agriculture, and West Virginia Grown. In December, Lynch looks forward to discussing West Virginia and American agriculture on the Miss America Pageant stage.
Lynch graduated from Delaware State University with a bachelor’s in animal and poultry science, and earned a master’s in food and nutritional science from WVU.
Next fall, she will begin her Ph.D. in Texas Tech University’s One Health Sciences program — something only 12 other students will have the privilege of completing. After that, her primary goal is to become a professor.
“I’d like to continue inspiring young minds to pursue a career in agriculture,” Lynch said. “I like to be in the lab and on the farm. Being a professor would allow me to do the teaching side and the research side.”
“[Miss West Virginia] has been one of the coolest jobs I’ve ever had,” she said. “I know I can make a difference and be that catalyst for change that’s needed in West Virginia.”
To support Lynch on her journey, engage with her social media accounts, attend her appearances and events, or participate in raffles and fundraisers, visit the Miss West Virginia Organization website at MissWestVirginia.org and Lynch’s social media at instagram.com/MissAmericaWV and facebook.com/MissAmericaWV.
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