TROY --  A new Miss Pike County Agriculture will be crowned on April 30 in the Claudia Crosby Theater on Troy University ’s campus and the entry deadline is quickly approaching.

Single women in Pike County between the ages of 17 and 25 on

Dec.1, 2005 are eligible to participate.

Contestants will compete in an evening gown and interview competition.

The winner of the competition will receive a $500 scholarship and will progress to compete for Miss Alabama Agriculture, currently held by Miss Pike County 2004 April Hawthorne, a TROY junior from Kinston majoring in print journalism and public relations.

The state competition will be Mobile in December during the Alabama Farmers Federation’s annual meeting.  The winner of the state competition will receive a $2,000 scholarship and the use of a new automobile for the year of her reign.

“Miss Pike County Agriculture 2005 has so much to look forward to,” said Hawthorne .  “She will have great opportunities to be involved in the community and learn about the agricultural industry.”

Hawthorne added that the state competition in Mobile is an entire weekend of activities that will be a unique and fun experience for the new queen.

The pageant will be held in conjunction with a talent-find competition.  Individuals or groups with up to five members, all between the ages of 17-25, can showcase any type of talent for a grand prize of $100 and progression to the state talent-find competition which will also be held in Mobile this December.

Applications for both competitions can be obtained at the ALFA office on Brundidge Street .  Deadline for applications and the $10 entry fee are due Friday, April 15.