Dairy cattle have been a central part of my life from an early age. From visiting my father’s home dairy farm, helping with chores when I became old enough to hold a pitchfork, to eventually gracing the colored shavings at World Dairy Expo with my own cattle, there were pivotal moments throughout my journey in the dairy industry.
Showing cattle has been a core part of who I am and formed my foundation in agriculture. During my year as the 78th Alice in Dairyland, I’ve had constant reminders of those moments I experienced in the show ring. I have certainly enjoyed the chance to relive some of those deep-rooted passions through the lens of our state’s agriculture ambassador over the last several months, sharing the love for what we do in Wisconsin’s $116.3 billion agriculture industry.
As Alice in Dairyland, I created memories and had new experiences, learned a lot, and made an impact on Wisconsin agriculture. Last July, I started making my first turn about the ring by visiting places such as county fairs across the state, festivals in Marathon County, and media partners to celebrate National Ice Cream Month. The 174th Wisconsin State Fair was here before I knew it, truly showcasing the best 10 days of summer. Milking demonstrations, friendly competitions amongst youth exhibitors, on-stage appearances, meeting Something Special from Wisconsin members, and countless memories with the Wisconsin State Fairest of the Fairs made the State Fair something spectacular!
Fair season rolled right into fall, beginning my first lineup of agricultural adventures that held some champion moments that I will never forget. I had the chance to visit classrooms and educate students about Wisconsin agriculture, attend my first cranberry harvest and the Warren’s Cranberry Festival, and live out my childhood dream of being Alice in Dairyland at World Dairy Expo. Traveling to Shanghai, China, alongside the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and was a wonderful opportunity to promote Wisconsin agriculture on an international scale!
Rounding out the first half of my year as the 78th Alice in Dairyland, I spent the holiday season highlighting Something Special from Wisconsin members and showing audiences how to elevate holiday recipes with Wisconsin butter. It was fun to fully lean into Wisconsin’s winter specialties by promoting Wisconsin’s Christmas tree community, for which we rank fifth in the nation, and staying cozy in my Wisconsin mink garment that exemplifies Wisconsin’s position as the top mink producer in the nation.
The final lineup of my year serving as Alice in Dairyland has come and gone. Some key moments recently have included attending the World Cheese Championship Contest and auction, hosting my own Winter Olympics to highlight Wisconsin’s Gold Medal Cheese, visiting the Center for Dairy Research with our Program Partner, the Dairy Innovation Hub, celebrating Wisconsin maple syrup at several festivals, conducting a Virtual Beef Tour with the Wisconsin Beef Council, and so much more!
I am looking forward to ending my year as Alice at the top of the class by returning to my roots in Wisconsin’s dairy community. During June Dairy Month, I will travel all over the state visiting dairy breakfasts, sharing the stories of our farmers with Wisconsinites near and far, and having one last chance to truly celebrate America’s Dairyland. Whether attending Cows on the Concourse in Madison, the Sheboygan County Breakfast on the Farm, or throwing out the first pitch at the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Game, I know there are innumerable memories that await during this special time of year.
Just as it takes many people to make a cattle show run – the judges, the announcers, the prep area wranglers, the experienced ring people – it takes an amazing village of people to support the Alice in Dairyland program. Thank you to all the lovely media partners who went from strangers to friends; to the online followers who have supported the journey; to the farmers and agriculturists who provide us with such abundance; to the incredible team of Alice in Dairyland program partners; to the Alice in Dairyland alumni who have continued a rich legacy; to the outstanding members of the Host County Committee; to my talented colleagues at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; to my family and friends who have been there every step of the way; and to the people of Wisconsin who embrace “Alice” every day. Each of you makes this experience so vibrant and has truly impacted my life throughout this year.
As we near the end of this show and head towards ringside, I can’t wait to relish all the memories and steps we encountered together while showing off the beauty of Wisconsin agriculture. I can confidently say it has been a banner year.
With sincere fulfillment, gratitude, and love, this has been Wisconsin’s 78th Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow. Thank you!
This article originally appeared on Wisconsin State Farmer: Sarah Hagenow reflects on year as Wisconsin’s agriculture ambassador
Reporting by Sarah Hagenow, Wisconsin State Farmer / Wisconsin State Farmer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sarah Hagenow, Wisconsin State Farmer | USA TODAY Network
