Bringing the Alice in Dairyland Finals to Grant County would not be possible without the support of our valued sponsors.  See which area businesses have stepped up to contribute to this event by checking out the sponsors tab.  We are still looking for sponsors, so if you are interested in donating to this this once-in-a-lifetime event, there is still time to contact us.

The 65^th Alice in Dairyland Finalists have been announced.

L to R: Rachel Erickson, Amy Manske, Sarah Holm, Katie Wirkus, Danielle Hammer, Rochelle Ripp and Ann Marie Ames.

Click here to learn more about each of these amazing women vying to be the 65^th Alice in Dairyland.

Alice in Dairyland has more than six decades of history and tradition.  Considering that, there is a wealth of information, data and trivia about Alice in Dairyland. Here are some fast facts about Alice in Dairyland.  Did you know:

In 1948, Alice hosted the Centennial Exposition at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis. A year later, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture (subsequently renamed) became the sponsor of the Alice in Dairyland program.

 In 1952, Alice became a one-year,full-time contract employee of the department.

Alice in Dairyland logs the equivalent of a trip around the world, and she appears at more than 370 events during her one year on the job.

Alice visits about 100 schools annually, speaking with mostly fourth graders.

Alice also does hundreds of media interviews, generating over $1 million worth of coverage for Wisconsin agriculture.

Alice applicants must be female Wisconsin residents and pre-screened applicants undergo a preliminary interview in February.

Finalists are selected from those interviews to take part in a two-day briefing in late March to early April.

In the middle of May, following an intense and extensive three-day interview process, a new Alice in Dairyland is selected. Two weeks later, she is “on the job,” promoting the state’s dairy industry during June Dairy Month.

Alice in Dairyland is an established trademark for Wisconsin agriculture and its products.

The Alice program continually promotes all of Wisconsin’s diverse agricultural industry, which accounted for over $59 billion in economic activity.

Bringing the Alice in Dairyland finals to Grant County is no small endeavor.  It takes a lot of volunteers and financial support.  Currently, Grant County is looking for businesses that would like to help sponsor the finals process. 

Sponsorships begin with Citrine level at $500 and increase to the Diamond level at $5,000.  More information is included here:

Alice in Dairyland Sponsorships

Or feel free to contact the committee at aliceindairyland2012@gmail.com.

This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your business to Grant County and agriculturalists throughout the state!

Don’t miss the chance be a part of history! The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting applications from individuals interested in becoming Wisconsin’s 65^th Alice in Dairyland until 4:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13. 

Alice in Dairyland is the state’s agricultural ambassador.  During her year, Alice will travel nearly 40,000 miles throughout the state and surrounding areas to promote Wisconsin’s agriculture industry and its impact on the economy through media interviews, speeches and school presentations.   Alice in Dairyland is a one-year contractual position with DATCP, headquartered in Madison.

Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of Wisconsin’s agriculture industry; have public speaking experience; have completed education or training in communications, marketing or public relations; and be able to plan and execute public relations, marketing or media campaigns.

To apply, an application, cover letter, resume, three professional references and a summary of qualifications must be submitted to DATCP the deadline.  Click here for the Alice in Dairyland application.

The 65th Alice in Dairyland will be selected at the conclusion of the three-day Finals, May 17-19, 2012 in Grant County.

Last week, Alice in Dairyland, Katie Wirkus, was joined by Lancaster-area students to decorate the first Christmas Tree of the season.  Alice cut down the tree earlier in the month at Cooks Woods in Fennimore to signify the beginning of the Christmas Tree season here in Wisconsin. Ornaments for the tree were made by the Mt.

Alice in Dairyland, Katie Wirkus, decorating the tree with area students

Hope Cardinals 4-H Club. The tree will be on display in the Grant County Courthouse throughout the holiday season.

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Wisconsin ranks fifth in the nation for Christmas tree production, harvesting around one million trees annually on over one thousand tree farms.

Alice surrounded by Fennimore area fourth-graders

On Tuesday, November 15, joined by the fourth graders from Fennimore Elementary School, Katie Wirkus, Wisconsin’s 64^th Alice in Dairyland, cut down the state’s first official Christmas tree of the season at Cook’s Woods of Fennimore.   The Christmas tree will be decorated and on display at the Grant County Courthouse in Lancaster after Thanksgiving. 

Katie Wirkus, 64th Alice in Dairyland, cuts down the state’s first official Christmas tree.

“Support the local farmers while keeping money in your local communities and economies by Going Green this holiday season with a real Wisconsin Christmas tree,” said Wirkus. “Enjoy the great Christmas tree aroma while helping the environment since real trees are biodegradable and recyclable, whereas fake trees are not and, therefore, are a burden to the environment.”

Are you a follower on Facebook?  If not, check out Alice in Dairyland 2012, Grant County.  Like the page to stay up-to-date on Alice events and appearances throughout the county, as we prepare to host the selction of the 65th Alice in Dairyland May 17-19, 2012.

Tis the season to decorate the halls with boughs of holly and cut down the perfect tree to make your home more jolly! The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) invites media to join the 64th Alice in Dairyland Katie Wirkus in cutting down the first Christmas tree of the season.

This annual event is hosted at a different farm each year across the state. This year’s tree cutting will be on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 9:45 a.m. at Cooks’ Woods, 2176 Ebenezer Road, Fennimore.

Also at the tree cutting will be fourth grade students from Fennimore Elementary School. The morning will begin with a short presentation on the Wisconsin forest industry by Wirkus and Dave Cook of Cooks’ Woods. Wisconsin Christmas tree growers produce over 1.8 million trees each year on 36,000 acres. Students will then take a wagon ride through the tree fields with Wirkus to do the cutting.

To learn more about Cooks’ Woods, visit cookswoods.biz. For details about the Alice in Dairyland Program, visit aliceindairyland.com. For more on the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association, see www.christmastrees-wi.org/.

WHERE: Cooks’ Woods 2176 Ebenezer Road Fennimore
WHEN: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 9:45 a.m.