Butter sculptures of cows, dairy princesses or other prominent regional figures often populate state fairs across the country. Spectators “ooo” and “ahh” at artists’ hard work, displayed in a large, cooled glass case. For many, it’s a cool sculpture. To Hailey Whitters, the 2023 Academy of Country Music Awards New Female Artist of the Year, it became an inspiration.
“I’m from Iowa and grew up seeing the iconic butter cow sculpture at the state fair every year,” Whitters says. “I thought it was a legendary homage to Midwest values and culture, and [I] wanted to do something with it in some capacity with my music. This record felt like the perfect fit.”
Corn Queen, Whitters’ 2025 release, not only incorporates her home state of Iowa’s corn industry into the title, but the album has songs such as “Casseroles,” “High on the Hog” and “Wagon” that bring life in the Midwest to the big lights of Nashville. The record was certainly a great way to bring Whitters’ desire for her own butter bust to life – something she’s been interested in since chatting with some Minnesota dairy princesses a few years back.
“The princesses told me you had to be a dairy princess to get your own bust, and I was so jealous,” Whitters says. “My dad farms corn and soybeans, and we’ve never done anything with cows, which is a requirement to be a dairy princess, so that wasn’t in the cards for me.” Partnering with Land O’Lakes, Whitters made it happen for the Corn Queen album cover.
Authenticity and ambition
Whitters’ most recent album isn’t the only time she’s highlighted agriculture; it's a continuation of a practice that followed her to Nashville.
“It wasn’t something I planned on at all; it just came through in my songwriting,” Whitters says. “I talk a lot about the values that raised me growing up in the Midwest, and I think people from the agricultural community can feel that. I come from a very blue-collar family who taught me how to stay humble, work hard and persevere through tough times, and I think people in agriculture can feel that in my songs. I feel very honored to see it resonate so wide within that community, because those are my people. I'm doing this to make them proud.”
This mentality has aided in some food-based connections. In addition to Whitters’ partnership with Land O’Lakes, she’s also been featured on a Kellogg’s cereal box and created a collaborative beer with Big Grove.
“Working with Hailey, we wanted to be authentic to both of our brands,” says Land O’Lakes Community Development Lead Kalyn Grokett. “There’s nothing more authentic to Hailey’s brand than performing her music, and there’s nothing more authentic to our brand than the family-owned dairy farms who make our legendary dairy products possible. We thought, ‘Why not combine the two?’”
This collaboration resulted in “A Bovine Serenade.” Whitters spent a day at a local dairy farm, performing her songs for cows and helping with the daily chores.
Hailey Whitters performs a “Bovine Serenade.” Image courtesy of Havas Formula.
“It was such a great day. I instantly felt at home walking up on the farm and spending the day out in the fields and barns with the cows,” Whitters says. “I got to see a fresh baby calf delivered earlier that morning – that was very cool to see it so young and new.”
“This partnership shines a spotlight on the dairy industry, bringing positive attention to the fundamental importance of farmers,” Grokett says. “By sharing authentic stories and sharing rural life through music and modern media, the campaign helps build public appreciation for dairy producers and their contributions. Collaborations like this help strengthen the connection between consumers and the people behind their food, supporting the long-term vitality of the dairy sector.”
Country artist Hailey Whitters spent a day at a dairy farm. Image courtesy of Havas Formula.
