A Day in the Life as Alice
No two days in the life as Alice in Dairyland are the same. Each day brings a new adventure in agriculture – whether out on the farm, behind the lens of a TV camera, or on stage in front of an audience. Some days bring early mornings, some bring late nights, and some bring both. Despite all of their differences, the one factor uniting all of my days as Alice in Dairyland is the opportunity to share the story of Wisconsin’s $104.8 billion agriculture industry.
Summer
Summer days are filled with celebrations for June Dairy Month, television introductions as the “new Alice” and eleven long, yet energizing days at the Wisconsin State Fair. A daily diet in the summer looks something like this: yogurt for breakfast, cheese for lunch, chocolate milk to fuel up in the afternoon, and ice cream for dessert after supper. At each stop made, a speech is given, encouraging Wisconsin consumers to choose Wisconsin products in the grocery store.
Fall
As summer fades into fall, and green rows of corn turn brown, it is evident that fall has arrived. Harvest tours of Wisconsin’s diverse commodities fill these days. Alice in Dairyland has a unique opportunity to see behind-the-scenes of our food, fuel, and fiber production in the state. After each tour, time is spent in the office (Yes, Alice in Dairyland does have cube with a desk in an office!) drafting blogs and social media posts to share the unique story of each commodity.
Winter
When the temperatures drop in the winter months, a Wisconsin mink coat holds the warm in, and shows off the beauty of our state’s fur industry. By now, thousands of miles have been put on Kernel, the E85-capable vehicle provided by the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board. Many days include a stop (or several) at the local gas station to fuel up with corn-based ethanol. Though the winter months may seem slow, days are filled with presentations to local civic groups and workshops at conferences. Rare time in the office provides an opportunity to catch up on writing articles for local and state newspapers.
Spring
Looking ahead, I anticipate spring days to be just as full as the previous seasons. Radio interviews in person, over the phone, and on site at events are sure to continue. What I am most looking forward to, though, are farm tours with fourth grade students. A visit to the farm offers a unique opportunity to connect with our state’s farmers and processors. Spring will also bring the final days of wearing the Alice in Dairyland tiara. Crafted with native Wisconsin gem stones, the tiara is a true symbol of our state and Wisconsin’s mining history.
What will the days of Alice in Dairyland look like this summer and beyond? That could be up to you! Applications for the 73rd Alice in Dairyland are open now through February 3, 2020. Learn more here.
