Rural Grinnell girl named Iowa Teen Miss Agvocate USA

GRINNELL — Olivia Latcham, daughter of Curtis and Amanda Latcham of rural Grinnell, has been named the 2024 Iowa Teen Miss Agvocate USA.

Olivia, 14, lives on a farm where she raises her own show sheep and helps daily with her family’s more than 200 sheep herd.

Olivia is on the Iowa Junior Beef Breeds Association Board and is involved in the heartland youth show circuit. She shows at the Poweshiek County Fair, where she has earned the showmanship award along with many other awards.

Olivia is a leader and has earned the leadership award in FFA and placed second at state for her CSI competition.

Olivia also held the Iowa People’s Choice and Iowa Advocacy Ambassador titles in 2023 through the Teen Miss United States Agriculture.

Olivia, who attends Montezuma Schools, plans to become a veterinarian after college with a focus on ultra-sounding livestock and large animals.

“She is a strong advocate for family-owned farms and loves to explain that family farms help feed the world, too,” said Olivia’s mother, Amanda. “She has held successful food drives where she collected more than 4,000 canned goods along with clothing drives. The food donation provided food for 550 area families.”

Olivia also assists many neighbors and friends with baling hay. She is a hard worker and has the drive to be successful in the farming industry.

Olivia helps young people and is a role model.

She is a leader that many people young and old are inspired by.

Olivia is available to visit farms, talk to groups and advocate for agriculture.