During June Dairy Month, ambassadors are called upon to aid in the promotion of one of our country’s prominent agriculture industries. Progressive Dairyman caught up with some of Wisconsin’s most well-known dairy ambassadors at Cows on the Concourse, June 7. This event serves as a kick-off to June Dairy Month, held the first Saturday of June on the state’s Capitol Square in Madison, Wisconsin.
Zoey Brooks, Wisconsin’s 67th Alice in Dairyland, was there to speak to the people of Madison about the impact of the dairy industry in the state. While at the event, Brooks also volunteered at the Get “Mooving” Zone where she sported milk mustaches and showed off her milk muscles. Then she spent time at the Ed “Moo” cation Zone, interacting in fun games with dairy facts, cheese facts and milk facts.
“June Dairy Month is a special time of year here in Wisconsin as America’s Dairyland,” Brooks said. “It is a time for connecting others with the dairy industry.”
Attending this event in downtown Madison gave Brooks and the Wisconsin Holstein Royalty an opportunity to reach a very urban audience.
“We attend mostly Holstein events,” said Kristen Broege, Wisconsin Holstein princess attendant. “It is really interesting to be around Madison in such an urban environment.”
Wisconsin Holstein Princess Kayla Krueger added, “It helps with the disconnect of consumers. Our job is to help close the gap and educate consumers. We can promote the dairy industry and share a positive message.”
Sharing a positive message for the dairy industry is something the Wisconsin Holstein Royalty have done for years. However, just as the audience evolves, so must the program.
“The message for us stays the same, but the way we deliver those messages is different,” Krueger said.
“We cover a lot more social media,” Broege added.
The role of Alice in Dairyland has also changed over time. “In its origin, Alice in Dairyland was a beauty queen, and the role has evolved so much,” Brooks said. “She is now a public relations professional. I still wear the tiara and sash to maintain the tradition, but the role has evolved to connect more with the consumer.
“Alice in Dairyland is one of Wisconsin’s most recognized spokespersons. It helps for people to see a reliable source promoting agriculture. It is also important for a woman to be in this role because it shows how agriculture is becoming more diverse,” she continued.
As ambassadors for the industry they all agree June Dairy Month is an important time of year.
“Dairy is a huge backbone of Wisconsin agriculture. Every month should be dairy month,” Brooks said. She’ll be spending the rest of the month visiting dairy breakfasts at different farms across the state and enjoying dairy products like ice cream and cheese.
For Broege, it’s good to have a month that’s “nationally devoted to our industry and passion.”
Krueger added June Dairy Month helps bring awareness to an industry that people can take for granted. “I like meeting people and seeing the public interact on the farm,” she said, which is why she was looking forward to attending a few breakfasts on the farm. In addition, Krueger is excited to show her cows at the district Holstein shows, which also take place during June Dairy Month. PD
PHOTOS
TOP: Zoey Brooks, Wisconsin’s 67th Alice in Dairyland, attended a June Dairy Month on the Capitol Square in downtown Madison, Wisconsin.
BOTTOM: Wisconsin Holstein Princess, Kayla Krueger, left, and Wisconsin Holstein Princess Attendant, Kristen Broege, right, teamed up to educate the urban Cows on the Concourse crowd about the Holstein breed and dairy industry. Photos by Karen Lee.
Karen Lee
Editor
Progressive Dairyman
