Six Months as Alice in Dairyland
The first six months as Wisconsin’s 77th Alice in Dairyland have just flown by! In the first half of my year, I have had the opportunity of a lifetime, visiting farms, touring agribusinesses, attending events, and engaging with schools! As I reach the halfway point in my year, I want to reflect on some of these experiences and the privilege of promoting Wisconsin’s $116.3 billion agriculture industry.
After I was announced as the 77th Alice in Dairyland in May 2024 in Door County, I celebrated my graduation at the University of Wisconsin–Madison the following weekend. Eager to begin this role, I embraced the chance to carry on the special tradition of promoting Wisconsin agriculture. My term began on July 8, 2024, after a few weeks spent learning more about Wisconsin agriculture, the Alice in Dairyland program, and gaining insights from the 76th Alice, Ashley Hagenow.
Each day is a new experience, whether through travel, events, or connecting with people of all ages. My first events as Alice included reading storybooks at the Cambridge Library and attending the Jefferson County Fair—an ideal start to a year dedicated to educating the public about Wisconsin agriculture. In my first few months, I’ve attended major events like the Wisconsin State Fair, Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, and the World Dairy Expo. This fall, I've especially enjoyed visiting classrooms through the “Expedition Agriculture” program to highlight Wisconsin specialty crops and working with the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin–Badgerland Council on educational beef and dairy farm visits.
Through various business and industry tours, I’ve deepened my understanding of the diversity of Wisconsin agriculture, from cranberries to mink, potatoes to honey and more. Preparing for the 78th Alice in Dairyland Finals, to be hosted in Crawford County in May 2025, has also given me the chance to connect with rural communities in the Driftless area and explore the unique agricultural industry that can be found there.
When not traveling across Wisconsin in my ethanol-fueled vehicle, "Tassie," sponsored by the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board, I work on social media content and monthly articles to reach new audiences within and beyond Wisconsin. I’ve especially enjoyed creating video content for followers. Recently, I’ve partnered with radio and TV stations to promote the Something Special from Wisconsin program and the importance of supporting local businesses during the holiday season. I’ve also been active in sharing Wisconsin dairy recipes as part of the "12 Days of Dairy" and collaborating with the Wisconsin Potato Promotions and Grower Auxiliary Board to bring potato-based education into schools, featuring a delicious recipe for Potato and Chocolate Chip Cookies!
While it’s hard for me to imagine, in six more short months I’ll be handing over Tassie’s keys to a lucky new Alice. Applications for the 78th Alice in Dairyland opened on January 2, 2025, with submissions due by January 31, 2025. Interested applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, references, personal biography, and application form. Qualified candidates will then go through an initial interview process. I am so excited to meet candidates for the 78th Alice in Dairyland and witness their special journey as Top Candidates leading up to the 78th Alice in Dairyland Finals hosted by Crawford County May 15-17, 2025.
To learn more about the Alice in Dairyland application process, visit www.AliceinDairyland.com. I look forward to sharing more of my adventures in agriculture for the remainder of my journey as the 77th Alice in Dairyland.
