Special Iowa Dairy Princess Edition
DAIRY ST R CONTEST
August 3, 2019
Connecting with consumers Schmitt finds place as dairy advocate By Danna Sabolik
danna.s@dairystar.com
FORT ATKINSON, Iowa – As the Iowa State Fair inches closer, so does the end of a reign. Jessica Schmitt, 19, is completing her role as the 65th Iowa Dairy Princess with the Iowa State Fair Aug. 8-18 in Des Moines, Iowa. As her year serving Iowa’s dairy farmers comes to a close, Schmitt reflects on the experiences this platform has provided her. “This year really solidified what I want to do with my life,” Schmitt said. “I want to continue to work with consumers and promote dairy for the rest of my life. I got to meet a lot of dairy farmers,
and it made me so happy to represent them and their passion.” Schmitt grew up on her family’s 50-cow dairy farm near Fort Atkinson, Iowa and is attending Iowa State University for dairy science and agricultural communications. “Until I was in this position, I didn’t realize how many people are curious about farm life and food production,” Schmitt said. “It’s rewarding to be the one with the answers to those questions.” Her position sent her throughout the state, from classrooms to open houses on farms where many attendees
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Jessica Schmitt poses with two young consumers during the Western Iowa Dairy Alliance Open House June 12 at J&S Dairy near Maurice, Iowa.
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Governor Kim Reynolds (from left), Iowa Dairy Princess Jessica Schmitt and Senator Randy Feenstra gather after the signing of the June Dairy Month Proclamation June 12 at J&S Dairy near Maurice, Iowa.
had their first encounters with dairy. “[Consumers] are interested in an open conversation, which is what I try to provide,” Schmitt said. “People genuinely want to learn.” While she enjoyed all her advocacy moments in the crown, some stood out more than others. “Midwest Dairy had a promotion on Iowa State’s campus to showcase a new dairy product,” Schmitt said.
“It was called Moon Milk, and it was a new way to enjoy dairy. I don’t work with my peers a whole lot, so it was fun to show off a new product on my campus.” Her best conversations happen when she least suspects it, and she is grateful for the opportunity to share her story, said Schmitt. “It’s rewarding to represent what my family knows best,” Schmitt said. “I had a great conversation with a con-
sumer about how all farmers work hard for their animals, consumers and neighbors.” Schmitt recalls last year’s coronation and remembers the nerves she felt going into the evening. “I won the speech portion of the contest and gave my speech to the crowd before I was crowned,” she said. “It was rewarding to share what I Turn to SCHMITT | Page 2
Recent Iowa Dairy Princesses 2017 Princess
2017 Alternate
2018 Princess
2018 Alternate
2019 Princess
2019 Alternate
Katelyn Goldsmith Delaware County
Shana Hilgerson Clayton County
Rachel Grober Iowa Guernsey Breeders Association
Josie Buddenberg Winneshiek County
Jessica Schmitt Winneshiek County
Grace Howe Iowa Jersey Cattle Club
Page 2 • Iowa Dairy Princess Special Edition • Dairy Star • August 3, 2019
Continued from SCHMITT | Page 1 knew to this room of dairy advocates and the past princesses I’d looked up to since I was a little girl.” She is anticipating a good year with the latest crop of princesses and is excited to see her new promotion ideas. “I’m excited to see how she converses with consumers and how she will share the story farmers don’t have the opportunity to,” Schmitt said. Looking back on her year in the crown, Schmitt is grateful for her parents and sister for being a strong support system. “This is something I’ve wanted since I was a little girl, so to have achieved it means the world to me,” she said. “My family taught me to give 100 percent at anything I do.” At the upcoming Iowa State Fair, she is excited for the second annual
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Jessica Schmitt is surrounded by family – Terry (from left), Mariah and Carl. Schmitt has served as 65th Iowa Dairy Princess this past year. Her family milks cows near Fort Atkinson, Iowa.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Jessica Schmitt has served as the 65th Iowa Dairy Princess this past year. She is a student at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
consumer luncheon, held by the Iowa Food and Family program. “I’m excited to meet with consumers and have a conversation about the production of their food over a meal,” Schmitt said. From now on, her role in the dairy
industry may look a little different, but Schmitt plans to follow her passion for dairy advocacy. “I hope to serve as an ambassador in a different way,” Schmitt said. “I plan to attend events and do more hands-on work. I love to converse with
consumers.” While she will no longer have the crown and sash, Schmitt will continue advocating for dairy and sharing her passion with others.
Franzen Sales & Service would like to say
Thank You to Jessica Schmitt
We would like to wish all the Dairy Princesses competing at Iowa Dairy Princess Competition the best of luck!
for serving the dairy industry over the past year.
Jessica Schmitt
And thank you for your great representation of the dairy industry!
2018-2019 Iowa Dairy Princess
Franzen Sales & Service 2724 State Highway 24 Fort Atkinson, IA
(563) 534-2724
www.franzensales.com
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Iowa Dairy Princess Special Edition • Dairy Star • August 3, 2019 • Page 3
Finding her passion
DAIRY ST R www.dairystar.com
Howe reflects on time as Iowa Dairy Princess Alternate
522 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Phone: (320) 352-6303 Fax: (320) 352-5647
By Danna Sabolik
danna.s@dairystar.com
WAUKON, Iowa – Although Grace Howe did not grow up on a dairy farm, she found her passion for the dairy industry at a young age. “In second grade, I got my first Jersey calf and was able to partake in the county fair,” Howe said. “My mom grew up on a farm and wanted me to have a similar experience, so she introduced me to showing.” Howe, 18, will conclude her year as the Iowa Dairy Princess Alternate with the Iowa State Fair Aug. 8-18 in Des Moines, Iowa. Howe grew up close to her grandparent’s 200-cow dairy farm near Waukon, Iowa. Soon, she was buying her first Jersey calf to show at the Allamakee County Fair which set her off to where she is today, completing her year as an alternate dairy princess. This year has been a meaningful journey for Howe, and she learned about herself and the farmers she represented along the way. “I learned how important it is to represent farmers,” Howe said. “Not only were Jessica (Schmitt) and I representing Midwest Dairy, we were representing dairy farmers from throughout the state of Iowa.” Howe and her mother, Shelly Howe, have more in common than their love of the farm, however. Shelly also served as Iowa’s alternate dairy princess in 1989. “It’s something cool we can both share,” Howe said. “Also, we share a passion for dairy.” Shelly is one of Howe’s biggest cheerleaders and has inspired her in not only dairy but also in life. “She’s a great role model for me,” Howe said. “She’s showed me how to give back and what my role can be in a community. She has always believed in me and encouraged me.” Howe is grateful that although not being exposed to dairy every day, she was able to find her niche within the community. “Dairy has provided me with so many opportunities, and I feel like serving as a dairy princess I was able to give back to the community in a small way.” She has enjoyed serving as a princess and is excited for the network the program has provided her. “It was cool to meet the girls who ran last year,” Howe said. “We were all from northeast Iowa and shared a lot of the same goals and interests, so it was a great way to connect with others like me.” She also enjoyed working with the upcoming group of dairy princesses who will compete for the crown this year at the annual orientation in June. “All the girls are great options, and I’m looking forward to hearing their new ideas,” Howe said. This year was big for Howe. She completed her senior year while in the crown, but enjoyed the frenzy of the season and is thankful for the people she met, said Howe. “I never thought much about the rest of the state and dairy,” she said. “I know a lot of farmers around north-
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Grace Howe, 2018 Iowa Dairy Princess Alternate, attends the LaunchPAD Children’s Museum in Sioux City, Iowa June 2019. Howe handed out ice cream and cow hats while children attended the farm animal center of the museum. east Iowa and just hadn’t put in much thought about the role dairy plays throughout the state.” During her time as alternate princess, Howe traveled border to border and met with countless producers, children, fairgoers and consumers. “I learned so much,” Howe said. “It’s interesting to see what people want to know and explaining to them what dairy farming is like. It’s not all teaching. The general public has interest in learning about where their food comes from.” Howe plans to attend Iowa State University in the fall to study agriculture and society with plans to pursue a career in agriculture policy. “Serving as dairy princess has jump started my career for me,” Howe
said. “It was a great opportunity to learn more about what I like to do and what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.” Her year will culminate with the Iowa State Fair, but she is not only going to be busy with dairy princess duties this year. She is also showing three calves in the 4-H cattle show. “I love showing, and I hope to own my own herd of show cattle one day to pass on the love of dairy and showing like my mother did for me,” Howe said. While her dairy story started out different than some, Howe is proud to share what she knows best and continue to pursue her passions within the industry.
KEEP CALM AND
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Page 4 • Iowa Dairy Princess Special Edition • Dairy Star • August 3, 2019
Alexis Costello, 20
Tehya Demmer, 18
Parents: Tim and Karen Costello Town: Cedar Rapids Representing: Iowa Holstein Association
Parents: Chad and Stacey Demmer Town: Dundee Representing: Delaware County
Tell us about yourself, the farm you live and/or work on and your future plans. My experience in the dairy industry has centered around showing registered Holstein cattle. I have been on the lead since I could walk and telling cow stories since I could talk. My immediate family raises show cattle and contributes to the family dairy. Our dairy milks 90 head at any given time with two robots. I have my bachelor’s degree from Mount Mercy University in operations management with minors in economics and criminal justice. I am working towards a master of business administration degree with a human resources emphasis. My hope is to get a position that will allow me to work in a business setting for the industry I am passionate about: agriculture.
Tell us about yourself, the farm you live and/or work on and your future plans. Along with my parents and three sisters, I live and work on my family’s dairy farm outside of Dundee, Iowa where we milk 180 Holsteins with three robotic milkers. We raise our replacement heifers and sell our steers at 500 pounds. My family also has a small farrow to finish hog operation. I attended West Delaware High School where I participated in softball, volleyball, FFA, FBLA, NHS, journalism and yearbook. I was also involved in 4-H, dairy judging and dairy quiz bowl. I will be studying animal science at Iowa State University. What qualities do you possess that make you a good Iowa Dairy Princess? Throughout high school, I juggled activities helped me gain time Iowa Dairy Princess Special Edition • Dairywhich Star • July 31, 2014 • Page 3 management, organization and accountability skills. While representing Delaware County, I learned how to communicate with people of all ages. I’m also a positive, outgoing person. Being involved in athletics, my coaches pushed me to keep a positive mental mindset through the highs and lows. I carried their teachings outside the gym and off the field to help me in everyday occurrences.
What qualities do you possess that make you a good Iowa Dairy Princess? My greatest strength is my ability to communicate. Whether the setting is formal or laid-back, familiar or unknown, I have an ability to simply speak with people. The specific opportunity to speak with individuals who differ in opinion excites me further. I like the chance to explain my experiences and express my values. On the other side of the coin, I view listening as an even more productive skill. In order to hold a meaningful conversation, one must be willing to step back from themselves and focus on the other party. I have a great deal of experience in effective communication in a variety of settings. I can and do listen to others well and take care in formulating my response in order to advocate for my beliefs and learn from others.
Shelby Bodley,
Mindy Burkle,
What does the future of the dairy industry look like to you, and how do you see yourself fitting into that future? The future of the dairy industry is bright. Our industry is full of kindhearted, dedicated farmers who will push through tough times and excel through good times. In the future, I would love to become a veterinarian and help dairy farmers care for their beloved bovines.
What does the future of the dairy industry look like to you, and how do you see yourself fitting into that future? My hope is that the future of the dairy industry is full of growth in demand, cattle comfort technologies and thriving families. The more we advocate for the industry, we can educate the general public about our animals, the benefits of dairy products and our own passion for what we do. In doing so, the more successful our industry will be in the future. I see myself as a lifelong showman, advocate and cow lover. My hope is to carry on the farm name and to maintain the high standard for quality in our cattle. I want to make anyone who has ever taught me something about the dairy industry proud, especially my dad.
In your opinion, what is the most important message about the dairy industry that should be shared with consumers today? Consumers need to know what happens behind closed barn doors. Animal care is one of the most important aspects of a dairy farmer’s job. All farmers know that happy, healthy cows produce high quality milk we are proud of to feed to consumers. Many farmers spend more time and money on their cows than they do on themselves. Farmers work with veterinarians, animal nutritionist, hoof trimmers and other professionals to keep their bovines healthy and comfortable. Cow comfort is key. During the hottest days of summer, you can see our cows chilling in the shade with several fans and sprinklers keeping them cool. They have comfortable mats to rest on, and they have fresh water and nutritious feed available 24/7. We give farm tours and are proud to show these consumers that we give our animals only the best care. Bringing the consumer directly to the farm is one of the best ways to show how much farmers care.
In your opinion, what is the most important message about the dairy industry that should be shared with consumers today? The most important message about the dairy industry varies. It is simply the producer’s story. Those involved in the dairy industry have a crazy amount of passion. Regardless of the capacity of their involvement, there is a significant tie to the animals that keeps them going. My own story centers around family and personal growth and from it. Consumers should see the love my family and I have for our animals. A major issue today is animal mistreatment. Farmers’ stories are the most credible way to discount mistreatment allegations and show consumers how our animals are cared for on a daily basis.
mo A na s a
Good Luck Alexis!
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Iowa Dairy Princess Special Edition • Dairy Star • August 3, 2019 • Page 5
Julie Hammerand, 18 Parents: Jerry and Lois Hammerand Town: Sherrill Representing: Dubuque County Dairy Association Tell us about yourself, the farm you live and/ or work on and your future plans. I just graduated from Hempstead High School. I was apart of many clubs, theater, and color guard. Growing up I was involved in 4-H and showed cattle at the county fair every year. On our farm, Edgewood View Dairy, we milk 150 cows and farm 600 acres. In the fall, I plan to attend University of Northern Iowa with a major in art education. What qualities do you possess that make you a good Iowa Dairy Princess? My passion and dedication for the dairy community will help me to best represent Iowa and all of the dairy farms within it. Not only do I have a vast knowledge of the industry but I have learned how to best communicate our story with the public. What does the future of the dairy industry look like to you, and how do you see yourself fitting into that future? I believe we are on a path to creating a sustainable and profitable industry for all people involved. Our commitment to sustainability is constantly increasing, which can be seen in our efforts to uphold our quality of land for the next generation. While I do not plan to work directly in agriculture, I will have the opportunity to share our story with today’s youth as a future educator. I will always be an advocate for agriculture no matter the career path I take. In your opinion, what is the most important message about the dairy industry that should be shared with consumers today? Our message to today’s consumers needs to focus on our passion to provide them with healthy and sustainable products. I feel that our customers have lost sight of why we do what we do. As farmers we are always making improvements to produce more efficiently and conscientiously. People don’t realize how much we care about our animals and the land. The media is constantly villainizing farmers as only profit-seeking. In reality we are dedicated to our animals wellbeing, no matter the cost.
Mary Holtz, 17 Parents: Jeff and Lisa Holtz Town: Maquoketa Representing: Iowa Jersey Cattle Club Tell us about yourself, the farm you live and/or work on and your future plans. My family has a small herd of registered Jerseys and Ayrshires and I have my own small herd of Brown Swiss. On my farm I manage or assist with the record keeping, feeding of the animals, and overall care. I have been in 4-H since 4th grade and have been showing dairy cattle in both open and youth shows all over the country. I have served as the 2018 Iowa Jersey Princess, 2018-2019 Jackson/Clinton County Alternate Dairy Princess, and am currently serving as the Iowa Ayrshire Princess, and the 2019-2020 Jackson/Clinton County Dairy Princess. In school I participate in band, soccer, bowling, and am an officer of my FFA Chapter. When I graduate from high school next spring, I will have both an Associates of Science and Associates of Arts degrees through Clinton Community College. I will continue my education at Iowa State University, where I have already been accepted into the animal science program. I will be a veterinarian specializing in embryo work in large animals. What qualities do you possess that make you a good Iowa Dairy Princess? I have grown up surrounded by dairy animals and the dairy industry and have had an ever growing love and passion for it. I love answering questions and addressing concerns that the public may have about the dairy industry or animals specifically, as well as promoting the consumption of dairy products. I am very responsible and I have been on the honor roll and dean’s list in school. What does the future of the dairy industry look like to you, and how do you see yourself fitting into that future? Despite what we are currently seeing with the dairy industry, I do believe that there is a positive outlook. After we address and get past the concerns the public has about how the animals are cared for and what goes into the dairy products, we could see a shift in the consumption of dairy. However, there will always be people who give the dairy community a bad image. I think we will be able to get past it in a positive way if we all come together to spread our message. I can see myself fitting into this by always being an advocate and always spreading the dairy industry’s message. As a veterinarian I can work directly with them to care for and advise them to make smart and healthy choices for all of the herds and producers I work with. In your opinion, what is the most important message about the dairy industry that should be shared with consumers today? I believe we need to educate consumers and the overall public about how we treat our animals, including the regulations we must follow prior to products reaching consumers. We need to share how important it is to have dairy as a part of our diets as milk contains nine essential nutrients. In addition we must get rid of or at least reduce some of the concerns surrounding what is in milk and bring people back from consuming alternative dairy products.
Good luck Julie!
Good Luck, Mary!
DAVE’S FEED STORE INC.
903 E Platt St Maquoketa, Iowa 52060
Luxemburg, IA • 563-853-2415
563-652-4981
TUESDAY AUGUST 6
Interviews and Presentations Courtyard by Marriott Ankeny 6:30 p.m. Banquet at Des Moines Area Community College
CONTEST On behalf of Iowa’s dairy farm families, Midwest Dairy is proud to sponsor the 2019-20 Iowa Dairy Princess contest.
August 6&7
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 7
7:30 p.m. Coronation in the Media Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds Des Moines
We support all the candidates for their willingness and dedication to help promote the Iowa dairy industry. These goodwill ambassadors are a vital part of our efforts to showcase dairy’s goodness, including dairy farmers’ commitment to their cows, the environment and producing a safe, wholesome product for all to enjoy.
Page 6 • Iowa Dairy Princess Special Edition • Dairy Star • August 3, 2019
Brianna Lucey, 19
Faith Palmer, 17
Parents: Marcia Tierney Town: Guttenberg Representing: Clayton County
Parents: John and Meghan Palmer Town: Waukon Representing: Allamakee County
Tell us about yourself, the farm you live and/or work on and your future plans. I was raised on a farm outside of Guttenberg, Iowa. My grandpa and uncle raised registered Holsteins. I have my own small herd of registered Jersey and Holsteins, partnering in the Holsteins with my uncle and grandpa. I am working at Iowa’s Dairy Foundation in Calmar, Iowa, and I also work on a 330-cow registered Holstein herd known as Elsbernd Dairy LLC. After graduating from college, I plan to remain in the area working with other herds or even having my own farm a few years down the road.
Tell us about yourself, the farm you live and/or work on and your future plans. I will be a senior this fall at Waukon High School. I have four younger siblings: Ethan, Norah, Naomi and Roslyn. We milk 120 Holsteins and farm 500 acres. We raise our replacements and our feed. We work together to get daily tasks done. My responsibilities include milking, feeding calves and heifers, helping with field work, keeping records and doing miscellaneous jobs around the farm. I have purchased my own cattle and have begun to manage my own herd of six registered Holsteins, which I plan to continue growing. I plan to attend Iowa State University for dairy science and agricultural business. I would like to pursue a career in dairy, possibly in dairy automation. I hope to become involved in the Dairy Science Club and dairy judging team. I hope to come home to the family farm.
What qualities do you possess that make you a good Iowa Dairy Princess? I am respectful, responsible, hard-working, passionate about the dairy industry and the agricultural community. What does the future of the dairy industry look like to you, and how do you see yourself fitting into that future? The future of dairy looks interesting with the rapid change in technology and farms getting larger in size. The dairy industry will always play a large role in society. Consumers will see that cattle and the food and products are produced with more quality. I see myself being actively involved in the dairy industry as an ambassador. In your opinion, what is the most important message about the dairy industry that should be shared with consumers today? Consumers need to trust in our local farmers to know their product is safe and that animals are not harmed while making the product for the consumers.
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What qualities do you possess that make you a good Iowa Dairy Princess? I like meeting new people and connecting with others who may not have a farming background. I have developed a passion for the products and the hard-working farmers who help to feed the growing population. I strive to be reliable, responsible and hard-working. I have also grown my leadership and public speaking skills while being president of my 4-H club and FFA chapter, and co-president of our Allamakee County 4-H County Council. These qualities help me to take on any task and get it done to the best of my ability. I realize the value of Iowa’s increasingly diverse dairy economy, and appreciate the work and dedication it takes for every single farmer to produce a wholesome and nutritious product. What does the future of the dairy industry look like to you, and how do you see yourself fitting into that future? I am fascinated by automation used in dairying today. We have begun to incorporate automation within our herd, which has sparked my interest to learn more about automatic systems. I have seen the benefits these systems have to offer. Experiencing how automation has improved the flexibility, production and profitability of dairy farms is astonishing to me. Also, genetics are increasingly improving, which is steadily enhancing the quality of Iowa’s dairy herds. It is sad to hear about the farms that are having to set aside the dairy legacy that has spanned generations, but the future of dairying is bright with an increased inclusion of automation and genomic testing for herd improvement. In your opinion, what is the most important message about the dairy industry that should be shared with consumers today? As Iowa Dairy Princess, my main goal would be to bridge the ever-widening gap between consumers and agriculture. Unfortunately, through my involvement in dairy, I have heard misconceptions amongst consumers. Given this negativity, I see it as a responsibility of mine to help these consumers understand the truth about dairy. Farmers care about the work they are doing. I believe it’s important for farmers to share their story and open up their doors to consumers. This way users can see first-hand what happens on the farm and all the work we do to ensure the health and comfort of our animals. As a spokesperson for our state’s dairy farmers, I want to be a voice in sharing our stories to help consumers realize the value of our livelihoods and family farming legacies.
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Iowa Dairy Princess Special Edition • Dairy Star • August 3, 2019 • Page 7
Stacia Sexton, 18
Brylie Volker, 18 Parents: Bill and Shellie Volker Town: Sumner Representing: Fayette County Dairy Promoters
Parents: Steve and Ellen Sexton Town: Decorah Representing: Winneshiek County Tell us about yourself, the farm you live and/or work on and your future plans. I live and work on my family dairy farm where we milk about 80 Holsteins. Our other commodities include beef, corn and alfalfa. In the fall, I will be attending Iowa State University majoring in agricultural communications. What qualities do you possess that make you a good Iowa Dairy Princess? The experiences on the farm have taught me multiple skills throughout life that I have been incredible thankful for. I also know firsthand all of the joys and discomforts of agriculture, so I can reach out to a wide base of consumers and spark a thoughtful conversation about the dairy industry and use personal experiences as well. What does the future of the dairy industry look like to you, and how do you see yourself fitting into that future? The most important thing the dairy industry needs in the future are young people like myself. Without a new generation interested in dairy, the future does not look bright. After college, my ultimate goal is to teach all people about the goodness of dairy and all agriculture in general, so that the dairy industry has a future to look forward to. In your opinion, what is the most important message about the dairy industry that should be shared with consumers today? When on social media, I have come across false and twisted information about the dairy industry concerning animal welfare. The most important message to be shared with consumers is that farmers’ No. 1 priority is the safety and comfort of their cows, and that consumer safety is just as important.
Best wishes Stacia! 2337 Millennium Rd • Decorah, IA
563-382-8722 563-875-2310
www.langsdairy.com
BEST OF LUCK TO ALL THE CANDIDATES!
OUR WORKHORSES ON AND OFF THE FARM WE’VE GOT ALL OF YOUR FAVORITES IN ONE PLACE
Tell us about yourself, the farm you live and/or work on and your future plans. I developed a strong love for the big bovines. That passion drove me to keep involved in the dairy industry by milking on dairy farms, to showing cattle, to participating in dairy knowledge-based events. Working in the industry has broadened my appreciation for the hard work and the dedication that dairy farmers have. Those qualities have helped me build myself into a better person. When I was 9 years old, my parents, sisters and I moved off our family’s dairy farm. They talked to family friends to see if we could show their cattle. For the past eight years, I have been able to show. I will be continuing my passion of dairy at Iowa State University in the fall of 2019. I will be majoring in agricultural business with a minor in communication. My life goal is to give back to the industry that gave me so much. The milk market is down, and I want to try to help struggling farmers keep their family farms. Family farms can be traced back multiple generations and should be passed to future generations. What qualities do you possess that make you a good Iowa Dairy Princess? Strengths I have built through high school and extra-curricular activities would be public speaking and reasoning with others about opposite opinions. I was asked to present on various topics. Those topics range from my personal information and background to research topics and learning information. After gathering information, I would present in front of class and answer questions about topics to help listeners better understand my standpoint. Communication also plays a big part in my strengths this past year as the Fayette County Dairy Princess required me to be able to be quick on my feet and speak to all ages. Many people don’t understand the dairy industry and all practices that take place within. What does the future of the dairy industry look like to you, and how do you see yourself fitting into that future? The future of the dairy industry will look nothing like the past if the dairy community doesn’t inform the public on what occurs on the farm. It is now time for dairy farmers to get involved in the solution. Everyone has their own story. Let dairy farmers tell theirs. Farmers put all they have on the line to keep the farm running. Most farmers have nothing but their cows. In all reality, farmers are not making enough money to make a sustainable living. They are milking cows because it is a love and passion of theirs. If someone had a passion or love for something, would they harm or mistreat that thing or object? Think of all the questions to ask a dairy farmer and ask them. In your opinion, what is the most important message about the dairy industry that should be shared with consumers today? The most important message dairy farmers should be sharing with consumers is the day to day farm stories. Communication is key to help consumers learn what happens on farms. The public only sees the one in a million cruel or bad farms but never shares the good videos or stories. More farms need to step up to the plate. With social media being a huge influence in most American lives, it is important to share our stories, whether that be a few videos of daily practices or farm overviews showing off the dairy. Any glimpse producers can give to the consumer will help share the vision of most dairy farms.
Good Luck Brylie! 300 10th St. N.E., Independence, IA
319-334-7193
DAIRY STAR E-EDITION FREE www.dairystar.com
Page 8 • Iowa Dairy Princess Special Edition • Dairy Star • August 3, 2019
CONGRATULATIONS to the candidates of the Iowa Dairy Princess Contest
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Thanks for doing your best!
Laura May D.V.M., Ryan Hammell D.V.M., Kaitlin Marg D.V.M. & Monica Wagner D.V.M.
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Good Luck to all the Dairy Princess Candidates!
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