The Iowa dairy industry has a new set of representatives following the crowning of the 73rd Iowa Dairy Princess and alternate at the Iowa State Fair.
Hannah Hagen of Allamakee County was selected as the 73rd Iowa Dairy Princess, while Mae Wiedemeyer, representing the Iowa Jersey Cattle Club, was named alternate.
As the new princesses prepare for the year ahead, outgoing Iowa Dairy Princess Kelsey Timp is looking back on a year that took her across the state promoting dairy farmers and connecting with consumers.
Timp says she traveled more than 10,000 miles while attending over 80 events during her year as Iowa Dairy Princess. Those appearances included farm open houses, school events, farm tours, and the Iowa Eats Festival.
The role also gave Timp an opportunity to highlight the Iowa agricultural sector, which corn, soybeans, hogs, and beef cattle can sometimes overshadow. She says Iowa remains an important dairy-producing state and continues to see growth opportunities.
Timp pointed to dairy production in northeast and northwest Iowa, along with processing investments around the state, as signs of that continued growth.
But much of her year was spent talking directly with consumers. Timp says people are interested in learning more about where their food comes from and hearing from someone with firsthand experience in agriculture.
Those conversations allow dairy representatives to answer questions and help consumers better understand the farm families producing the milk and dairy products they purchase. Timp says another part of that message is reminding consumers about the nutritional benefits dairy can provide.
With her year now coming to an end, Timp is also offering some advice to Hagen and Wiedemeyer as they prepare to take over the responsibility of representing Iowa’s dairy industry.
Her biggest piece of advice is simple: say, “yes.”
After more than 80 events and thousands of miles on the road, Timp says the people she met ultimately became the highlight of her year.
She recalled meeting everyone from dairy producers and consumers to young people interested in agriculture. One sixth-grade student from Oskaloosa particularly stood out and helped reinforce Timp’s optimism about the future of the industry.
Hagen and Wiedemeyer will now begin their own year representing Iowa dairy farmers, traveling the state to promote dairy products, answer consumer questions, and continue building connections between Iowa farms and the people they feed.
