A former Whidbey Island resident will take part in the Miss Earth United States pageant this weekend in Los Angeles.

Megan Kelly, whose family lives in Clinton. Kelly is the Pacific Northwest representative and promotes her platform, “Fight Factory Farming: Fight for Sustainable Food,” according to a news release.

She previously competed in the Miss Washington USA pageant and represented Whidbey as Miss Coupeville. Having lived on Whidbey, Kelly spent time in Freeland and Coupeville, even working as a lifeguard and manager at Useless Bay Golf & Country Club.

She touts leafletting, food sampling, education and public discussion in schools to promote buying local food, growing produce at home and a plant-based diet.

“I strongly encourage shopping locally at farmers markets and even from our neighbors,” Kelly wrote in a Facebook message to The Record. “Whidbey is full of gardeners and farmers who are selling their eggs, fruits and (vegetables) to other islanders.”

The University of Washington history major student works with the Compassionate Activist Network and learned about climate change from the Washington Environmental Council in preparation for the competition.

The competition July 24-26 in Los Angeles covers three areas: interview, swimsuit, and evening gown. In all, 31 women are competing for the United States title, plus nine girls in the Miss Teen competition.

Visit www.usearthpageant.com to watch the pageant.