What is a Dairy Princess?

Since this blog is all about dairy princesses and ambassadors, let's start at the beginning....What is a Dairy Princess? 

In Minnesota we have a great program, funded by Minnesota Dairy Farmers, called Princess Kay of the Milky Way.  Princess Kay serves as the goodwill ambassador of the entire dairy industry in Minnesota, but for counties, such as our own...we have our own princesses.  Princesses are at least a senior in high school, while our 9th-11th graders serve as ambassadors.

In order to be a dairy princess or ambassador, you first must be a daughter of a dairy farmer or dairy employee, or work as a dairy employee.  This year we have 7 young women who are proud dairy farmers' daughters.  Princesses are selected based on their communication skills in a mock media interview, prepared speech and a personal interview.  The county dairy princess plays a critical role as an extension of Princess Kay, so she needs to be able to communicate well.  Princesses and ambassadors are able to discuss the 5 key messages for consumers:

• Dairy cows are well cared for.
• Dairy farmers work hard to care for their land and environment.
• Dairy is important to the Minnesota Economy.
• Milk and dairy products are safe, wholesome, and nutritious.
• Dairy farmers and thier families are proud to feed the world.

Our county dairy princesses' roles have evolved over the years, changing into a role as an advocate for the industry instead of serving as a "pretty face".  Princesses work hard all year doing a variety of events ranging from school visits, to visiting health fairs.  At the end of their reign, each princess takes a little piece of the role with them, to continue spreading the positive messages of dairy farming....check out our archived blogs to learn more about those princesses of the past.

Susan Hillesheim, 2008

2008 Brown County Dairy Princess Susan Hillesheim enjoyed working with children as a princess, especially on farm tours.

Susan, pictured with fellow Dairy Ambassadors at a farm tour for preschool children.

2008 Brown County Dairy Princesses: Rebecca Sellner, Susan Hillesheim, Valerie Mohr, and Melissa Lax.

Susan Hillesheim, 2008

Parents: Jim and Cindy Hillesheim, Springfield
Currently:  Rochester, MN
Susan’s favorite memory was “going on the farm visits with pre-schoolers. For many of them, it was the first time being on a farm and up close to cows and calves. It’s where we had the chance to first get them excited about cows and the dairy industry. It was also fun to see them touch their first cow and feed their first calf.” Susan is in the nursing program in Rochester, currently between her 2nd and 3rd semester. She still comes home for some weekends and winter and summer breaks. Susan works at St. John’s Lutheran Home in Springfield as a CNA when she’s available and also enjoy babysitting and helping on the family farm in her free time. To current princesses, Susan says, “Even though the dairy industry is struggling in the economy currently, stay positive and keep promoting our pure, wholesome product with pride. Show consumers we treat our animals with respect, like one of the family, despite what critics show the few, extreme situations are like. Most of all have fun and make the most of every encounter you have with consumers and fellow promoters!” When asked how she continues to promote the dairy industry, Susan shares, “Being around college students, I see many people who don’t get their 3-A-Day or would rather just take a calcium supplement. I try to convince them how important the true product is for their health and that it’s recommended they have 3 servings/day. I set an example by consuming dairy products myself. I also support the dairy industry in times of dispute over what some people see on TV or the internet. I explain to them that what they see on TV or the internet is not what is happening on every dairy farm. Critics seem to find one extreme place far and few between and blow it up into a huge story. “

Joleen Johnson Dittbenner, 1996

Dairy Princesses: Kari Hanson, Christy Wensauer, and Joleen Johnson.

Joleen Johnson with Christy Wensauer.

Joleen Johnson with her parents.

Joleen Johnson Dittbenner, 1996

Parents: Lester and Marian Johnson, Sleepy Eye
Currently: Sleepy Eye, MN 56085
“My favorite things to do as a dairy princess was visiting the young kids in school and teaching them the importance of dairy in their diets. I also enjoyed doing the store promotions and meeting lots of new people. Of course, I can’t forget riding in all of those parades!” Joleen and her husband Craig live on his family’s dairy farm north of Sleepy Eye. The have 3 young daughters: (future dairy princesses for Brown County!) Courtney (10), Brittney (7) and Destiney (2). Joleen works full time for Norwood Promotional Products in the sales department as an Account Executive and her husband Craig is a dairy farmer. To current princesses Joleen says, “Enjoy your time as a dairy princess because the time will go by quickly. Share your experiences with the ambassadors because they could be our future princesses. Use your reign to teach others about the importance of dairy in our diets and dairy farmers to our communities.” Joleen shares the dairy industry with her daughters by explaining to them the importance of dairy in a healthy diet. She also supports her husband in his position in the family dairy farm, as a “sounding board for ideas and struggles.”