Shannon Sellner Seifert, 2001 & 2002

Shannon Seifert with her sister (future Brown County Dairy Princess in 2009 & 2010, and canidate for Princess Kay of the Milky Way) Angela Sellner. 2002 Princess Kay of the Milky Way Coronation.

Shannon Seifert with Princess Kay of the Milky Way Sarah Olsen and fellow finalist Karin Norling, MN State Fair 2002-Got Milk Mustache Photo Booth.

Shannon Seifert, Erin Eischen, Maria Pinks, and Melissa Fischer were all crowned in a surprising moment at the 2001 Brown County Dairy Princess Coronation.

Shannon was all smiles in the butter carving booth at the MN State Fair!

Passing on the torch: Shannon crowns 2003 Brown County Dairy Princesses: Julia Strand, Robyn Schnobrich and Sarah Haala.

Shannon Sellner Seifert, 2001 & 2002

Parents: David & MaDonna Sellner, Sleepy Eye
Currently: Sleepy Eye, MN
Shannon not only served as a Brown County Dairy Princess, but was also chosen as a Finalist for Princess Kay of the Milky Way in 2002. She was honored to have her head carved in butter. When asked about her favorite promotion, she shares, “Being at the State Fair was an amazing experience! I loved working at the Moo Booth, sharing about my farm and how we care for our cows everyday of the year!” Shannon has been married to Jonathan Seifert for 5 years. They reside in Sleepy Eye, where they operate a dairy farm in partnership with Jonathan’s parents. To current dairy princesses, Shannon advises, “Be proud of where you come from. Less than 2% of the US population works as farmers, but we feed so many! Don’t be afraid to share you story! So many consumers don’t understand where their food comes from and we need to work to change that.” Shannon is active in promoting everyday through her Orange Patch Dairy Blog, as well as working as the coordinator for the Brown County Dairy Princesses. “Dairying is my passion and I love sharing that with anyone who will listen. Hosting preschoolers at our dairy farm has to be my favorite promotion!” Shannon also shares, “I will never forget the surprise party that the Brown County ADA hosted for me before I ran for Princess Kay of the Milky Way. It was amazing to see so many producers and friends show their support, and I will never forget that! I continue to promote dairy, to give back to an industry that has given me so much.”

Julia Fischer Strand, 2002 & 2003

2003 Brown County Dairy Princesses: Julia Fischer, Robyn Schnobrich and Sarah Haala.

2002 Brown County Dairy Princesses: Shannon Sellner, (Matt Mages impersonating a dairy princess-that was a funny joke!) and Julia Fischer.

Julia Fischer Strand, 2002 & 2003

Parents: Larry and Deb Fischer, Sleepy Eye, MN
Currently: Janesville, MN
When asked about her favorite dairy promotions, Julia shares, “I loved the parades and dressing up in formals for them. I also loved visiting the classrooms. The children just soak up everything you tell them and their excitement rubs off on you!” Julia now lives in Janesville, MN with her husband Alan, 1 year old daughter Abigail, and their dog Mya. She currently works at True Value Company as a Human Resource Representative. To current princesses, Julia says “Have fun!” To continue promoting the dairy industry, Julia makes sure that her co-workers use butter instead of margarine! (Especially if they bring in food to share) And she ensures her family gets their 3 a day! When asked to share a story, Julia said, “I have to admit the crown can have powers. The biggest thing I remember is when little girls would come up to me wanting to try on my crown or think I was a real princess. You could always make their day by having them try it on!”

Robyn Schnobrich 2003 & 2004

Robyn Schnobrich stares down her butterhead at the MN State Fair in 2004.

2003 Princesses Julia Fischer, Robyn Schnobrich and Sarah Haala had the opportunity to visit the State Capitol  and speak with various representatives.

At the State Fair, Robyn enjoyed riding in the daily parade, pictured here with another finalist for Princess Kay of the Milky Way.

Robyn is pictured above at the Southern MN Youth Dairy Show.

Robyn Schnobrich and Audrey Mohr visited area day cares during the summer of 2004.

Robyn Schnobrich  2003 & 2004

Parents: Richard & Kathy Schnobrich, New Ulm
Currently: Gibbon, MN
In addition to serving as a Brown County Dairy Princess, Robyn was also chosen as a Finalist for Princess Kay in 2004. She also had the honor of having her likeness carved in butter at the Minnesota State Fair. Robyn shares her favorite promotion: “My favorite promotions were giving away milk and cheese at the New Ulm Farm City Hub Club Farm Show and giving away root beer floats at the Bruggemann Appreciation Day. It allowed to be give back to those producers that I represented.” Robyn will be marrying Andrew Schwab, late August 2010. She currently works for Minnesota DHIA (Dairy Herd Improvement Association) as a Marketing Director, and has held this position for the past 3 years. Robyn also dairy farms with her parents Richard and Kathy. To current princesses, Robyn shares, “Have fun and smile! You never know who’s watching!” To promote dairy products still, Robyn is a dairy farmer and makes sure that dairy products (milk, ice cream, etc.) are at all business meetings for DHIA.

Shannon Zeig Ryan, 1994

1994 Brown County Dairy Princess Shannon Zeig.

Shannon enjoyed working with youth at area dairy cattle shows.  Here she is pictured with Julia Fischer (Dairy Princess in 2002 & 2003).

Shannon Zeig Ryan, 1994

Parents: Mike & Rosie Zeig, Sleepy Eye
Currently:  San Jose, CA
In addition to serving as a Brown County Dairy Princess, Shannon was also a Region 9 Attendant. Shannon thoroughly enjoyed county fair/showing season, therefore she says, “Giving out ribbons and trophies at the County Fair Youth Cattle Shows would be my favorite princess activity.” Shannon is married to Tim Ryan, and they are expecting their first child in August 2010. She lives in San Jose, CA and is working for eBay as a Senior Marketing Manager. To current princess, Shannon tells, “You represent an industry of hard-working, good people. Be worthy of that. Have fun while being kind, supportive and humble.” When asked about how Shannon promotes the dairy industry still today, she shares, “My friends and co-workers have gotten used to me ordering milk when we go out to lunch. I don’t order iced tea or soda (pop ) …just milk!” Shannon also shares an interesting story from the past: “During our Region 9 Dairy Princess Coronation, there was a tornado warning and all the princesses as well as the crowd were “herded” into a hallway for a half hour, where we sang “99 Bottles of Milk on the Wall”!”