The 73rd representative will be named in May
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection recently announced the six top candidates for the 73rd Alice in Dairyland, moving one step closer to the selection of the next Alice.
Following an extensive interview process over the next eight weeks, the 73rd Alice in Dairyland will be selected from among the top candidates at the conclusion of the Alice in Dairyland Finals, for three days beginning May 14 at various locations throughout Walworth County.
Alice in Dairyland is a full-time communications professional serving as Wisconsin’s agricultural ambassador. Each Alice is employed by DATCP for one year and travels thousands of miles across the state, presenting to students, completing media interviews and attending community events to promote the state’s agriculture industry. The 73rd Alice in Dairyland will begin serving June 1.
“The Alice in Dairyland selection process is unique in that it takes your communications and interpersonal skills to the next level and allows each candidate to showcase the public relations skills required for being Wisconsin’s agricultural ambassador,” said 72nd Alice in Dairyland Abigail Martin.
“The personal growth the top candidates will experience just by being a part of the process will carry far into their future careers,” she added.
In an interview after the finalists had been announced, Martin said she’s had many highlights as Alice in Dairyland including the Wisconsin State Fair, where she had the opportunity to talk to urban audiences about the benefits they receive from the agriculture industry.
She also said she enjoyed touring the state and learning about the wide variety of agricultural industries in Wisconsin such as cranberry, potato and carrot harvesting.
Once the next Alice is chosen, Martin said there is a two-week overlap to allow the new appointee to get settled in to the position.
The top six candidates are: Rachel Gerbitz of Milton, Erica Helmer of Plymouth, Stephanie Hoff of Thorp, Kaitlin Konder of Glenwood City, Julia Nunes of Chippewa Falls and Grace Schroeder of Cashton.
Each year, a different Wisconsin county hosts the Alice in Dairyland interview and finals activities, with Walworth County serving as the host county for 2020.
For event information, visit aliceindairyland.com.
Read the full story including details on each of the six finalists, in this week’s Southern Lakes Newspapers’ publications.
