Special Iowa Dairy Princess Edition
DAIRY ST R
August 5, 2017
A year of growth Goldsmith reects on reign as Iowa Dairy Princess By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
EARLVILLE, Iowa – This past year has been nothing short of a memorable experience for Katelyn Goldsmith as she represented the state’s dairy farmers in the role as 63rd Iowa Dairy Princess. Goldsmith was given the title during an evening ceremony before the state fair last year, and has spent the past 12 months educating consumers about the work dairy farming families do to care for their animals and produce a healthy, nutritious product for all to enjoy. “I’ve been able to share my individual experiences of growing up on a farm, meeting people, and bringing farmers to consumers,” Goldsmith said. “I think all of that really embodies what it means to be a state dairy princess.” Goldsmith grew up on her family’s dairy near Earlville, Iowa, and was active in local 4-H and FFA organizations. This fall, she will be a sophomore at Iowa State University studying dairy science. “I’m not sure where my career is going to take me, but I know I’ll be involved in the dairy industry,” Goldsmith said. Serving as Iowa Dairy Princess has prepared Goldsmith for wherever her career may lead, pushing the young dairy advocate to develop her personal and professional strengths. “This has been a year of growth – personally and professionally,” Goldsmith said. “Its hard to describe … I’ve met so many people that have made this experience so awesome.” Throughout her reign, Goldsmith has traveled across the state of Iowa, visiting with dairy farmers, promoting
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Iowa Dairy Princess Katelyn Goldsmith holds up a glass of milk on June 1, World Milk Day, to kickstart June Dairy Month. Goldsmith has spent the past year promoƟng and represenƟng Iowa’s dairy industry. the industry with fellow industry representatives and princesses, and answering questions from consumers. “I really wanted to spread as much information about Iowa’s dairy industry
as I possibly could, and I think through everything I did this past year, I was able to do that,” Goldsmith said. The 19-year-old attended county ADA banquets, dairy shows and
expositions, such as Central Plains Dairy Expo, elementary school classrooms, and several June Dairy Month events. At most of these events, Goldsmith had the pleasure of working with county and breed association royalty. “It was really fun working with all those ladies,” Goldsmith said. “Together, we were stronger and able to tackle larger events.” While each event posed different opportunities to represent Iowa’s dairy industry, Goldsmith’s most important, and favorite, objective was to connect with consumers and share key dairy messages. “I want people to know that farmers care for their animals, for the land and for what the consumer wants,” Goldsmith said. “There’s a disconnect that needs to be talked about, and I want to let consumers know that we’re producing the same products to feed our families as they eat.” To drive that message home, Goldsmith said it was the personal dialogs she was able to have that solidied her purpose as the state dairy ambassador. “Those one-on-one conversations turned into conversations where I was talking with them, not talking to them,” Goldsmith said. “It was an opportunity to answer questions they had and tell my story.” These experiences have been invaluable to Goldsmith. With each event, she has improved her communication skills, as well as her condence in speaking about an industry she is passionate about. “I’ve learned how to organize my school, personal and Iowa Dairy Princess lives, and being able to communicate and connect with people better,” Goldsmith said. Previously, Goldsmith felt uneasy when starting a conversation with strangers, but now argues her greatest
Recent Iowa Dairy Princesses
Turn to GOLDSMITH | Page 2
2015 Princess
2015 Alternate
2016 Princess
2016 Alternate
2017 Princess
2017 Alternate
Mikayla Lien Winneshiek County
Rylie Pughaupt Iowa Jersey Association
Kate Stewart Fayette County
Leslie Sivesind Guernsey Association
Katelyn Goldsmith Delaware County
Shana Hilgerson Clayton County