Alice in Dairyland Travel Journal Archive

Happy New Year!
Dec. 31, 2008

As I look to 2009, I am already excited about the upcoming opportunities. Alice in Dairyland is an once-in-a-lifetime experience and a fantastic position to hold for one year!

The Alice in Dairyland position would not be possible without the support of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection and its many partners. I have to recognize the many people and businesses that make this experience possible.

Thank you to the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board for your continued partnership of the educational programs and school visits.

Thank you to the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board and GM for your donation of the wonderful Chevrolet Flex-Fuel Tahoe for my many miles across the state.

Thank you to the Kettle Moraine Mink Breeders Association for the beautiful gift of a mink coat and the Wisconsin Jewelers Association for the shining tiara and brooch.

Thank you to the Wisconsin Cherry and Berry Growers, the Something Special from Wisconsin companies, and the Buy Local team for your generous donation of time and materials for media campaigns.

Thank you to the Wisconsin Beef Council for your support of an industry poster this year.

Thank you to the many schools, events, and media stations that have welcomed me throughout 2008.

Thank you to Sheboygan and Racine counties for hosting fantastic Alice in Dairyland events. It was great in 2008, and I can’t wait to see the selection of the 62nd Alice in Dairyland in Burlington of Racine County.

Thank you to my loyal blog readers - the great fans - you know who you are! Family and friends have been great!

Thank you to the agricultural community for your support and the chance to represent you this year! I have learned so much about this industry!

Happy New Year, and I will be back on January 5, 2009! I am about to take my first airplane trip EVER! I am nervous, excited – and will share pictures and stories when I return!

Until 2009!

Wrapping Up 2008
Dec. 30, 2008

I can’t believe 2008 is almost over! The first months of my Alice in Dairyland year have flown by. In 2008, I have spoken to over 3,000 students and attended 393 events. I have driven almost 30,000 miles to give 183 speeches, 56 television interviews, 157 radio interviews, and written dozens of print articles. I really enjoy sharing my adventures in my blog and am looking forward to 2009!

I feel very lucky to be Wisconsin’s agricultural ambassador and wear the beautiful Alice in Dairyland tiara. The Wisconsin Jewelers Association provides the tiara that has been worn by the Alice in Dairyland for years. It is made of 14-Karat gold and platinum. The center stone is a pear-shaped amethyst and the side stones are pear-shaped citrines. There are 90 diamonds set in platinum in the center scallops of the tiara. Both the amethyst and citrines are gems indigenous to Wisconsin.

Although the tiara is passed down each year, the outgoing Alice is presented with the center amethyst, which is made into a pendant, as a token of appreciation for a great year.

Just as agriculture has innovated and modernized over the years, the Alice in Dairyland position has changed as well. In 2004, the Wisconsin Jewelers Association designed and donated a jeweled brooch for Alice in Dairyland to wear on top of her sash. The brooch is a two-tone 14-Karat gold with a pear-shaped amethyst and two pear-shaped citrines. With its three arched sections hand-engraved with a diamond pattern, the brooch resembles the tradition of the tiara while allow flexibility for Alice to wear the professional brooch when appropriate.

For this information and more about the Alice in Dairyland position, look at www.datcp.state.wi.us!

Radio Time and Work Time
Dec. 29, 2008

Remember Amber Gonske? She was a great friend to Alice working at WisconsinEYE in Madison. Now she is a great friend of Alice working at WJMC Radio in Rice Lake! Today I did my first interview with Amber on the radio. We did a half hour segment discussing holiday trees, Wisconsin mink, Something Special from Wisconsin for your New Year celebration, and the upcoming deadline to be the 62nd Alice in Dairyland!

Do you want to be the writer of this blog next year? Then go on www.datcp.state.wi.us to find the application. Alice in Dairyland is the spokesperson for Wisconsin’s $51.5 billion agriculture industry. Alice is a public relations professional, media specialist, and educator. If you enjoy giving speeches, conducting media campaigns, meeting people, traveling, and working with students, this job is for you.

Alice in Dairyland is a one year, full-time contract position with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection. The 62nd Alice in Dairyland will be selected in Racine County May 13 – 15, 2009 and begin her position June 1, 2009. While that may seem like months away, it is time NOW to apply to be Alice in Dairyland. The applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2009!

Scheduling More Interviews
Dec. 26, 2008

Today I worked remotely to schedule more interviews for the Specialty Dairy Campaign. This is an exciting time for the dairy industry, and I am looking forward to promoting it.

Milk production is currently on the rise with an increase of 2.5%. Projected production for 2008 is forecasted to crest 24.7 billion pounds.

Specialty cheese production is poised to increase by 4% to set a new record as 2008’s projected specialty cheese production should total 419 million pounds. Now 99 of the state’s 136 cheese plants craft at least one type of specialty cheese. Dairy processors and producers in Wisconsin have invested nearly $1 billion to modernize their respective processing or farm operations in the past five years. This is expected to continue making the future of our dairy industry bright.

The demand for Wisconsin dairy is increasing as can be seen by record-breaking exports. Dairy exports are at a record $176 million, up 39% compared to the first nine months of 2007. There is a demand for Wisconsin cheese, butter, and whey. Cheese exports set a record value of $75 million for the first nine months of 2008, a 47% increase.

Be on the watch for more dairy facts as the campaign continues!

Merry Christmas!
Dec. 25, 2008

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Today my older sister, Abby, received a very special gift – a baby goat! It was a challenge to have it pose with a Santa hat for the picture! Even though this goat I call Jolly is simply a pet, the dairy goat industry is huge in Wisconsin. Our state leads the nation in the number of dairy goats. There were about 33,000 dairy goats producing 27.6 million pounds of milk in 2006. This is a value of about $7.57 million to our state’s economy.

Also posing for the holiday picture is Milton, Alex’s cat. Milton received a bed for Christmas, which he is already enjoying! Late today, I packed up my gifts and left the farm for western Wisconsin.

Last Day to Find your Wisconsin Tree!
Dec. 24, 2008

It is Christmas Eve, and the last chance to visit one of the state’s 1,367 tree farms to find your perfect holiday tree!

Wisconsin ranks fifth in the nation in tree production nationally harvesting 1.8 million trees each year. Our state’s tree farmers work throughout the year to maintain the 36,000 acres of holiday trees.

Choosing a real Wisconsin tree is a good choice for the tree farmers and the environment. Buying locally at a Wisconsin tree farm benefits the business, community, and the economy. A real tree is a natural product that can be recycled after its use.

There are different varieties of trees. Balsam fir, Spruce, and White Pine are native to Wisconsin. You can find more information about Wisconsin trees at www.christmastrees-wi.org.

There are many ways to make your tree look great throughout the entire holiday season allowing you to enjoy it longer with your family and friends. Always use a tree stand that fits your tree and has an adequate water-holding capacity. Give your tree a fresh cut prior to being displayed indoors. Display your tree away from heat sources. Do not add things to your water. Clean water is the best for your tree!

Deck the halls with real Wisconsin trees, garland, and wreathes!

Horizon Elementary School
Dec. 23, 2008

This morning Scott and I drove home to Plymouth through the winter snow for a school visit to Horizon Elementary School. I am starting to think I am to blame for the white snow since the last time I was supposed to visit school was canceled because of a blizzard, and today the snow was blowing again.

Luckily, the students I made it in time for school! I started my day speaking to the fourth grade students. I had Miss Gnadt when I was at Horizon so it was great to see her again and share memories of fourth grade with the students. The two classes of fourth graders participated in the Building a Healthy Wisconsin activity. They were great at guessing the Wisconsin agriculture clues and answering my questions. I was impressed with their knowledge of Wisconsin, the state symbols, and agriculture.

I then traveled down the hall to the second grade classroom to visit with Mrs. Raeder’s class. Mrs. Raeder was my second grade teacher and a good friend of my family. Mrs. Raeder was my guest at an Academic Honors Banquet when I was in high school. I recognized her as influential in my career choice of teaching, having a great classroom environment, and allowing me to volunteer in her room while I was in high school.

With Mrs. Raeder, I did the activity called, A Fairy in a Dairy. I started by explaining to the students my role as Alice in Dairyland. We then discussed how many servings we need each day of dairy – three – and how you can eat three servings of dairy – milk, cheese, and yogurt! We then read the book, A Fairy in a Dairy. It is a fun story featuring different types of cheese. Because we discussed many types of cheese, we also tasted different types of cheese. Today, we tried Swiss, Muenster, and Mozzarella cheese. We used our senses in taste testing including touch, taste, smell, and look.

I made my way back to fifth grade to see Mr. Langhout, my former fifth grade teacher. He was always great in the classroom with many fun activities. Today, we reminisced, because he had saved a copy of my fifth grade homework. The assignment was to make a cartoon with words and pictures. I made a cartoon called, Barnyard Funnies. It included my dog, Christy, and my family’s life on the farm. It was fun to read aloud to the class. I can’t believe he saved it! Teachers are amazing.

With the fifth grade class, I did the Building a Healthy Wisconsin activity again. I was impressed with the amount of questions the class had for me! They were very interested in my job as Alice in Dairyland and life on the farm. I finished my day with two more classes. Mr. Petrie is another second grade teacher at Horizon, and I presented A Fairy in a Dairy. Mrs. Murphy is a third grade teacher, and I presented From Milk to Cheese to that group of students. From Milk to Cheese by Roberta Basel is a great story about cheesemaking. After reading about cheesemaking, we taste different types of cheddar: curd, mild, medium, and sharp. I really enjoy tastetesting with students!

After a day at school, I will head home to the farm for two days! Happy Holidays to you and your families!

Ending One Campaign and Starting Another!
Dec. 22, 2008

The adventures of Alice in Dairyland never stop! This weekend I enjoyed the winter season by ice skating in Madison and finishing my shopping. My purchases included many local, Wisconsin products. These items not only look great in a gift basket, but support local businesses and the economy!

Today I was in the office to prepare for the end of the year. I submitted my Something Special from Wisconsin Holiday Media Campaign Final Report. In one month, I visited 63 media outlets generating 786 minutes of coverage for the Something Special from Wisconsin program and the 30 participating companies. This means a grand total of about $59,407.00 of media value! With my blogs and printed articles, I wrote about 25,853 words promoting buying local this holiday and visiting savorwisconsin.com. I am excited about the success of this media campaign and thankful to the media stations, companies, and DATCP staff who helped make it possible!

After closing one folder, I opened another! In January, my fourth media campaign will begin feature Specialty Dairy Products. Wisconsin is known as The Cheeseheads fro more than our football team. With over 600 types, styles, and varieties of cheese, our state is known for high quality and specialty dairy products that win awards across the world. With Wisconsin breaking records in dairy production, awards, and exports – it is breaking news!

During late January when the NFL playoffs are in full-swing without the Green and Gold, I will travel the state promoting our Cheesehead pride showcasing specialty dairy products. I will discuss the impact of dairy on our state and economy and how to include dairy in your diet.

I am looking forward to starting this campaign. So far we have over 25 interviews scheduled over two weeks, and ten dairy companies to showcase! Stay tuned for more dairy facts and the start of the interviews January 16!

Winter Wonderland
Dec. 19, 2008

What a Wisconsin winter! I have been listening to holiday music since the beginning of November and now it certainly looks like the holidays outside! Although I had a late start, I made my way to the DATCP for my first full office day in months! My big project is finishing my Something Special from Wisconsin Final Report. During the month campaign, I completed over 60 media interviews. My task is to now find the total media value of these interviews and put together all the information.

Remember: there is still time to buy Something Special from Wisconsin this holiday. Whether you are putting together a gift box or making a holiday meal, remember to buy local to support farmers, businesses, communities, and the economy! Enjoy the weekend of snow, shopping, and celebrating with family and friends!

Radio Interviews and Celebrations
Dec. 18, 2008

Today was a fun and busy day in Madison. I started my morning my cleaning my office space before jumping on the phone for radio interviews. I called Rae Nell Halbur to tape my monthly update for the Wisconsin Farm Report. We discussed my beautiful mink coat that is made with 45 female, black mink pelts from the Joseph and Lynette Mierzejewski farm in Elkhart Lake. The gift of this coat from the Kettle Moraine Mink Breeders Association continues the tradition of Alice in Dairyland wearing a mink coat to represent this huge industry in our state.

Rae Nell and I discussed how mink is important to Wisconsin. Our state ranks first in production of pelts, harvesting 914,000 last year. That is 32% of our nation’s total! We are also first in the nation in the number of females bred and number of farms. Mink are harvested in the fall. They are selected for breeding or for fur harvest. There are many colors of mink like black, white, gray, and brown. The quality of the coat depends on the softness, color, and uniformity.

To produce quality pelts, mink ranchers need to keep detailed records of genetics and use superior feed. The diet of a mink needs to be high protein. Often times, the diet is made of waste meat, milk, and eggs, keeping these items out of landfills. The diet of a mink depends on the time of year like breeding or lactation, but they are always fed at least two times a day and are always given access to clean water. I promised Rae Nell she could try on the beautiful mink coat whenever I saw her next!

I then called Bob Meyer of Marshfield to tape our monthly update. While we also discussed mink, we emphasized that applications are now available for the 62nd Alice in Dairyland position. If you are 21 years old, have experience in communications, and a passion for agriculture, go online today to apply to be the next Alice in Dairyland. Alice in Dairyland is a full-time public relations job through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection. Applications are due by Friday, January 16, 2009 by 4:30 p.m. Agriculture and the Alice in Dairyland position have a strong tradition in Wisconsin and a strong future. Be part of the modernization and innovation of agriculture that will continue to make our industry competitive! Go online at www.datcp.state.wi.us!

I had two parties this afternoon. First, I helped celebrate the retirement of Georgia Pedracine. Georgia is the Director of the Bureau of Human Resources. Georgia was my supervisor was I organized the Governor’s Egg Hunt in 2007, and has been a great friend to me ever since. All the best for a wonderful retirement and holiday Georgia!

I then traveled to the Executive Residence where I volunteered to help with a holiday party for the Madison Union Ministry Group. First Lady Jessica Doyle holds holiday celebrations for youth in need each year. She invites them for a tour of the beautiful Residence, a fun activity, and a delicious snack. I had a great time with the families there and encourage everyone to tour the beautiful Executive Residence. The last holiday tour of the season is Saturday, December 20 at 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. The tours are free, and information can be found at jessicadoyle.wi.gov!

Johnson Creek Middle and High School
Dec. 17, 2008

Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board is a great partner with the Alice in Dairyland Program. There are six Regional Program Managers through the Wisconsin Dairy Council, and each of them plans school visits and organizes materials to make the Alice in Dairyland school visits possible.

Today, I joined Jane Losee at Johnson Creek Middle and High School. Jane was asked to speak to Lynne Miner’s FACE classes, and Jane invited me to be a speaker as well. When I arrived at the school, I met with two Basic Foods classes. In those classes, I spoke to the high school students about their beverage choices.

Jane led the discussion in the International Foods class. Her enthusiasm for cheese and the dairy industry is remarkable. She explained to the class that Wisconsin has 1.2 million cows, and over 600 types, styles, and varieties of cheese to make us America’s Dairyland. The dairy industry contributes about $20.6 billion of the $51.5 billion economic impact of agriculture. Jane had a great presentation including a video on the cheesemaking industry and cheese to taste! She had some unique cheeses like Havarti and Gruyere. Jane took time to explain the different varieties and groupings of cheese like soft, hard, etc.

For the remainder of the day, I led the Junior High Foods classes with the Think Your Drink! presentation. The students had a lot of enthusiasm for the topic and asked great questions. I always emphasize the different flavors of milk are always a good option with nine essential vitamins and minerals. Even though diet sodas have zero calories, they have no vitamins and minerals, and they have phosphoric acid that can steal the calcium from your bones. It was a great day in Johnson Creek!

Whitman Middle School
Dec. 16, 2008

I have to thank Robi, the FACE teacher at Whitman Middle School and Wauwatosa West High School for planning two great days of school visits. This morning I met Robi at Whitman Middle School for my first visit. She teaches the middle school students about food and fitness so my nutrition presentation fit in the curriculum perfectly.

The students already had a base of dairy knowledge. Each student knew that they needed 3-4 servings of dairy foods a day. A serving of milk and yogurt is eight ounces or one cup. A serving of a hard cheese, like cheddar, is 1 ½ ounces or the size of an adult thumb or domino.

For early in the morning, the group had a lot of energy. They were excited to win prizes for knowing the three F’s of agriculture: Food, Fuel, and Fiber. They were surprised at how much sugar was in their favorite drinks like soda and sports drinks. I encourage students to drink chocolate milk as a sports recovery drink instead! After a class at the middle school, Robi told me the way to Wauwatosa West High School for the rest of my day!

Wauwatosa West High School
Dec. 16, 2008

Today, I spoke to four classes at Wauwatosa High School. Each student was challenged to fill out a Think Your Drink! Scorecard. After I discuss the benefits of milk and the amount of sugar in some popular drinks, I give each student a beverage to look at. They fill out a scorecard with the amount of calories, carbohydrates, sodium, and nutrients.

After looking at the scorecard, the students need to rate the beverage: Drink It! Or Sink It! Drink it means that it is a healthy choice, and sink it means it lacks healthy content and is filled with sugar. Some students will also put Sometimes Drink It! on their scorecard. It is important that students choose soda or other sugary drinks once in awhile or not at all – never everyday! Teenagers need the vitamins and minerals in milk to grow and be strong!

Thank you Robi and Wauwatosa West for a fun day! The students were great at participating with the activities and Jeopodairy! Jeopodairy is a fun game for us to review our dairy nutrition information. The best category in the game is Unscramble It! Students need to unscramble the letters of a vitamin or nutrient. Try this – unscramble these vitamins and minerals found in milk:

M – U – A – L – C – I – C
I – A – B – O – F – N – R – L – I – V
S – R – H – P – P – O – U – S – O – H

Can you figure out the answers to Jeopodairy?

Jefferson Elementary School
Dec. 15, 2008

This afternoon, I visited Jefferson Elementary School. For one hour, I did activities with the two second grade classes. I started by explaining the Alice in Dairyland position and the tiara that I wear. I take time to share that Alice is not a princess or a beauty queen. Alice is an agricultural ambassador for Wisconsin.

I then did the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board lesson, A Fairy in the Dairy. As a group, we brainstormed dairy products that our bodies need for strong bones and teeth. The class was excited to learn there were 600 types, styles, and varieties of cheeses. Each of them shouted out their favorite.

I then read the students the story A Fairy in the Dairy. The book features a town that has many farms being sold. The mayor wants the land to be sold to a toothpick factory so the town becomes rich. A Fairy suddenly starts visiting the town leaving dairy products behind like Brie Cheese in the bath tub or Muenster Cheese under the bed. When the town rediscovers their love for dairy and farms, they get excited and choose to not sell their farms to the toothpick factory. It is a fun story with the Fairy, a cow, sharing dairy products!

After talking about dairy products, we did some tasting! The student each had the opportunity to taste Baby Swiss and Havarti cheese. I had the students look at, smell, and taste the cheese. After our tasting, all the students agreed Havarti was the best of the two!

Finally, the group and I spoke about how agriculture is huge in Wisconsin and includes more than dairy. It includes corn, cranberries, pigs, and more! To show this to the second grade students, I brought the Building a Healthy Wisconsin board along. The students had fun guessing the answers to my agriculture clues.

Thank you Matt, one of the wonderful teachers, and all of Jefferson Elementary School for welcoming me!

Longfellow Middle School
Dec. 15, 2008

For two days, I am calling Wauwatosa my home! I started my morning with two classes at Longfellow Middle School. Karen Hobbs is the FACE teacher and gave me a warm welcome. With the middle school students, I discussed the importance of the nutrition label. The students always know that the Serving Size is how much or the amount you are supposed to have in one sitting. We all know, however, that usually, we will have more than a Serving. That is why Servings Per Container is so important.

On the nutrition label, we also discuss calories. Our bodies need calories, because they are energy for us to go to school, hang out with friends, or go to work. Calories are needed in moderation, though, and we need calories that include nutrients. Soda has empty calories while milk has calories filled with nine essential vitamins and minerals. The students were excited to participate at Longfellow Middle School, and I enjoyed the time with them.

Who Wants to be Alice in Dairyland?
Dec. 12, 2008

Who will be the 62nd Alice in Dairyland? It could be you! The application for the 62nd Alice in Dairyland is now available online at www.datcp.state.wi.us. Search for “Alice Recruitment” or look under Marketing Agriculture, About Alice in Dairyland.

To be the next Alice in Dairyland, one needs to be 21 years of age before June 1, 2009, have strong communication skills, and be passionate about the agriculture industry. The next Alice will begin June 1, 2009 and hit the ground running promoting the $51.5 billion agriculture industry!

The 62nd Alice in Dairyland Finals will be on May 13 – 15, 2009 in Racine County. Each year, the Finals are hosted by a different county allowing the area to showcase their strong heritage and future in agriculture. Hundreds of people from across the region come each year to see the selection of the next agricultural ambassador.

Your country could host the Alice in Dairyland Finals in 2011. If you are interested in making a bid for your county to host the three day finals and hundreds of guests, contact Nicole Breunig, the Alice in Dairyland Program Manager at 608-224-5080 or Nicole.Breunig@wisconsin.gov.

I encourage young women to apply for the position – it has been a dream job! Today I committed to doing desk work for half the day before going to the Executive Residence in Madison.

Home of Governor Jim Doyle and First Lady Jessica Doyle, the Residence is open for tours during the holiday season. They also host parties for area youth, and today, I volunteered to spend the afternoon with students from AVID. This is a fun way to give back this holiday season!

Horizon Elementary School
Dec. 11, 2008

I really stepped back in time for the end of my day driving next door to Horizon Elementary School. I attended Horizon from first through fifth grades, and many of my teachers are still at the school.

While I will make-up the snow day at Horizon Elementary School on December 23, today I visited the Kindergarten and First Grade. I did a program with the students called, Out and About on the Dairy Farm. I started the lesson by asking what students they knew about dairy farms, cows, and dairy foods. It was fun to ask them to not only raise their hand if they knew the answer, but jump up and down, march in place, and touch their toes.

We discussed what we raise on a farm in Wisconsin including animals and plants. We then read a story about a dairy farm field trip. I thought some of the words were difficult, but they did a great job following along.

The best treat of the day came at the end when they received a string cheese! My past teachers made such an impact on me, and it meant a lot to be back today! The students asked many questions and told me to come back soon – I will!

Plymouth High School
Dec. 11, 2008

I was excited to step back into high school today in Plymouth. I parked by the ag room to start my day with the Introduction to Agriscience classes. These two classes are filled with freshmen and sophomore students who are beginning their FFA and agriculture careers in high school.

I received a warm greeting from Mr. Hahn and Mr. Mier, my agriculture teachers. I was really pleased with how the classes went. The students were enthusiastic and excited to answer questions so early in the morning. They were interested in the agriculture careers such as turkey producer, veterinarian, and agricultural plumbing.

Mr. Mier even broke out some embarrassing pictures and stories! It was a lot of fun to see pictures of my high school days and even see some items from a bonfire gone bad years ago.

After some time in the ag room, I made my way to the Family and Consumer Education classroom down the hall. Clearly from my cooking and baking skills, I did not take FACE classes in high school (and should have)! Today I told the three classes about healthy beverages. We counted out the sugar and talked about the nine vitamins and minerals in milk. From protein for your strength and calcium for your bones, milk is good for you!

Riverview Middle School
Dec. 10, 2008

This morning I joined my little brother, Alex, at Riverview Middle School. Alex is an eighth grade student and had to give me directions on where to go in the building. There had been major renovations since I left middle school, and I was lost! He was a great guide and to thank him, I made a special trip to his classroom to give out posters, postcards, and “America’s Dairyland” key chains.

For most of the day, I was in Family and Consumer Education Classes. Ms. Sell had been one of my teachers, and today, she welcomed me in her room to speak about healthy beverages. We had a really interesting conversation about Diet Coke. Although it has zero calories and few carbohydrates, there is Phosphoric Acid and Sodium. Diet Coke also does not have any vitamins and minerals. Milk, on the other hand, has nine essential vitamins and minerals making it delicious and nutritious.

In the afternoon, I visited Mrs. Arbuckle’s sixth grade Agriculture classes. Mrs. Arbuckle went to high school with me and is now leading the troops at Riverview! I enjoyed doing the career presentation with her students. The students were interested in learning new careers.

Some people found their dream job like graphic design and college teaching. We discussed how you choose a career for many reasons including salary, enjoyment, location, working location, and job description. After a quick game of Jeopodairy, Alex helped me carry my materials to my car. A quick stop in Plymouth for internet and I was back home to milk!

Snow Day!
Dec. 09, 2008

Today was my first snow day as Alice in Dairyland. When I was a student teacher and student, I couldn’t wait for a snow day. As Alice, I was hoping for school – what a change! Unfortunately, Horizon Elementary School Principal Todd Hunt had to call and give me the bad news that the blizzard had closed schools.

Since I was doing school visits in my hometown, Plymouth, the snow day involved milking cows, feeding calves, and cleaning my room. I had to laugh – it was like I was back in high school again myself! I had a good day and got some work done before prepping for another day of visits.

Milton High School Visit
Dec. 08, 2008

For the next two weeks, I am going to put my teaching degree to work in the classroom. Today I made my way to Milton High School to speak to Nicole Reese’s agriscience classes. Nicole was the 59th Alice in Dairyland and a good friend when I was a Cowstodian with the Wisconsin CowParade. She is a great supporter of the Alice in Dairyland program and continues to welcome Alice into her room each year.

Today I met with Vet Science, Greenhouse, and Ag Business classes. With five of the classes, I challenged students to think their drink! Students can always think of a long list of beverages they drink, but they don’t know what is in soda, energy drinks, or fruit punches.

I get the most reaction from students when we are counting out how much sugar is in our drinks. A 20-ounce bottle of coke has 17 teaspoons of sugar, a 20-ounce bottle of fruit punch that is artificially flavored has 21 teaspoons of sugar, and a 16-ounce bottle of sports drink has about 10 teaspoons of sugar. As one student said, “Yuck!”

With the Ag Business students, we made a list of possible agriculture careers. There are over 300 options, and about twelve percent of Wisconsin’s workforce is employed in an agricultural-related field. We had some people excited about welding, mechanics, and botany!

Feature - Wollersheim Winery
Dec. 08, 2008

Wollersheim Winery has been a friend of Alice in Dairyland for years and is the last company to feature this holiday as Something Special from Wisconsin!

2009 marks the 20th year of making Prairie Fume. Prairie Fume is a semi-dry white wine. It is a crisp, fresh white with citrus and tropical fruit aromas with a hint of sweetness. It is the most popular Wollersheim wine and has won many awards.

The Ruby Nouveau 2008 is an estate-grown red wine. The Ruby Nouveau is a celebration of the new harvest, similar to the celebration of the Beaujolais region of France. Ruby Nouveau is released in the same fall that the grapes are picked making it fresh, grapey, and bright red. It has a beautiful label for a gift.

The winery continues to modernize and innovate while keeping its history. There is a 1858 original winery building as well as a new addition from June 2008. Visit the winery to take a tour, do tasting, and buy your wine for the holidays. They offer a wooden gift box or individual bottles.

Look at www.wollersheim.com, a great website, today!

Feature - Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center
Dec. 07, 2008

Cranberries are the state fruit and a staple for family holiday meals. Now, cranberries make great gifts as well.

I have been going across Wisconsin with Dark Chocolate Dried Cranberries, a sweet treat this holiday season. Cranberries are Wisconsin’s number one fruit crop. There are over one thousand products to choose from.

The Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center is a great place to learn about the industry and find delicious products. Dried Cranberries are popular in many ways and can also be covered in milk and white chocolate.

Visit www.discovercranberries.com for your sweet tooth and information!

Feature - Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers
Dec. 06, 2008

Eat for the holidays and decorate for the holidays with Wisconsin products. Some beautiful items I have are swags with colored ribbons or centerpieces with a branch arrangement. Deck your halls and homes with garland, trees, and wreathes.

Real Christmas trees are environmentally friendly, because they are a natural product that can be recycled. Buying a farm-grown Christmas tree supports your local economy.

Wisconsin ranks fifth in Christmas trees harvesting 1.8 million trees each year. That is a value of $50 million to our state each holiday season.

Learn more about the tree and item for you at www.christmastrees-wi.org.

My Own Holiday Tree
Dec. 06, 2008

Buy local, buy Wisconsin this holiday when decorating! Look at my holiday tree in my apartment! I went to a local business to purchase this four foot real Wisconsin tree that came from a tree farm in Northern Wisconsin. I decorated it with ornaments, lights, and a hat to brighten my apartment this holiday!

When you buy a real tree, you are supporting the local farm, business, and the economy. A strong local economy allows businesses and schools to thrive! Buying a real tree is also environmentally friendly as it allows the tree to be recycled after use!

Feature - Wild Hare Foods, LLC
Dec. 05, 2008

Wild Hare Foods, LLC offers a gift unique for the holidays and perfect for your favorite hunter. With bright orange wrap, these meat items have great appeal.

On the holiday tour, I have been showing off honey ham sticks, beef snack sticks, and premium beef jerky. From Belleville, the beef jerky won the 2008 Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors “Grand Champion” award. All the products are made by Scott Hare.

Why are these products premium? They have superior taste and flavor thanks to the personally developed recipes. The jerky comes in bite-size pieces and are vacuum packed for extended shelf life and convenience.

Easy to recognize for its color and taste, visit www.wildharefoods.com to pick your meat up today!

Korean Television Interview
Dec. 05, 2008

From the Capitol, we drove to Shorewood Hills Elementary School to speak to kindergarten and first grade students about the importance of agriculture and dairy in Wisconsin. What made this school visit extra special was that we were joined by a Korean television station that was filming a documentary on Wisconsin agriculture.

It was fun to not only speak to the students but also stage some shots for the television station. I walked in the room and the students did a great job of being surprised to see me. I then explained my job as Alice in Dairyland and answered questions.

I told the students that we were going to go on a field trip to a farm. I had the students buckle their seat belts to read a book about a field trip to a dairy farm called, Out and About at the Dairy Farm by Andy Murphy. In the book, it talks about milking cows, calves, and what is made with milk.

To enjoy a dairy treat with the class, the students helped me make milk shakes! It became messy, but it was very fun to try and make milk mustaches! I thanked the Korean television crew for filming the visit and congratulated the students for their patience and enthusiasm. The over fifty students did a great job!

Capitol Tree Lighting in Madison
Dec. 05, 2008

Lighting the Capitol Tree in Madison has been a tradition in Wisconsin for almost sixty years. When I was in college at UW-Madison, I always went to see the tree after I finished my final exams. It was a way to close the semester and open the holiday season!

Today, I was honored to be part of the actual tree lighting ceremony. I arrived at the Capitol to see a beautiful tree and a large crowd of families and students. I had the role of Master of Ceremonies for the 2008 Tree Lighting.

I began by recognizing some of the people who made the day possible. Middleton High School of Middleton and Lincoln Elementary School of Whitewater provided the entertainment. Mary Ann Martin and Highland Tree Farms provided the beautiful wreaths for the Executive Residence. James and Diane Chapman of Silent Night Evergreens presented the tree in the Governor’s Conference Room in the State Capitol.

I then welcomed Cathy Conklin Bauer. Cathy of Conklin Tree Farms donated a 35-foot balsam fir for the state to enjoy this holiday. She was a great speaker, telling the story of the tree, the farm, and her family. Her family represents the strong tradition of agriculture and how it continues to modernize and innovate to be competitive.

Finally, I was honored to introduce Governor Jim Doyle and First Lady Jessica Doyle to speak. Both gave a wonderful message before lighting the tree. The tree was decorated with ornaments made by Wisconsin fourth graders. The theme of the tree was “Birds of Wisconsin.” After spending time enjoying the tree, the music, and the great people, I left the Capitol.

Interview with WRCO in Richland Center
Dec. 05, 2008

The last interview of the Something Special from Wisconsin media campaign! Today Nicole joined me for a busy day. We started by driving to Richland Center to interview with Ron Fruit. Ron has been very supportive of the Alice in Dairyland program and welcomed me on for a 45 minute program.

Ron was impressed with the many Wisconsin products I shared including Martha’s Hot Mustard and Kickapoo Gold Maple Syrup. The products I bought had a special local connection as Weggy Winery of Muscoda was just a short drive away.

I explained the Something Special from Wisconsin trademark, the savorwisconsin.com website, and the products. Ron also asked about the Alice in Dairyland job and the qualifications to be the next Alice. To be the next Alice, you must be female, at least 21 years of age and have experience and knowledge of agriculture, speaking, writing, and working with media and students. You have to have a valid Wisconsin’s driver’s license and be ready to travel the state!

When I left the studio, I ended the Something Special campaign. After I clean up my desk, empty the Tahoe, and finish my final report, I will look ahead to the fourth media campaign at the end of January: Specialty Dairy!

Feature - White Winter Winery
Dec. 04, 2008

There are almost 40 wineries across the state to tour and enjoy. One is found in Iron River: White Winter Winery. White Winter Winery features Mead, a honey wine, and Brackett, a honey malt beverage.

All of the products are made with locally-grown fruits including Bayfield apple cider, blueberries, and raspberries. The honey, which is a wildflower/clover blend, comes from local honey producers.

Black Harbor is a honey mead wine that has a rich, full, currant flavor with an oaky finish. White Winter Winery is committed to producing high quality meads. The Black Harbor is in a beautiful, black bottle that is a pottery item to keep. A beautiful holiday hostess gift.

Order your wine and learn more at www.whitewinter.com.

Business After Hours Event in Burlington
Dec. 04, 2008

I am always happy to make a trip to Racine County for an event since it is the home of the Alice in Dairyland Finals May 13 – 15, 2008. Tonight, Burlington was having a Business After Hours Event to celebrate the holidays. Each month, the Chamber of Commerce hosts an event where local business owners and workers can join together for drinks, snacks, and socializing. It is a great way to promote collaboration.

I attended the event at Gooseberries to promote the Alice in Dairyland Finals and the importance of these local businesses to the economy. Gooseberries is a grocery store, deli, and catering service. With delicious food and beautiful building, it is a wonderful place to support local business owners.

When speaking to the audience, I emphasized that everyone can become involved in the finals with volunteering time and resources. This is an opportunity for Racine County to shine. Agriculture impacts the economy and workforce in Racine County. This county is known for sod, pumpkins, and cabbage as well as acres of row crops.

If you are interested in being the 62nd Alice in Dairyland, the applications will be out soon! Stay tuned to this blog, and I will post as soon as they are available!

Interviews in Plover with WYTE and WBCV
Dec. 04, 2008

When asked about my most unique experience as Alice in Dairyland so far, it is always easy to identify: the Pumpkin Regatta in Nekoosa! During that pumpkin race, I was up against Mark, the operations manager of four stations in the Stevens Point/Plover area. Between Mark, Ken, and the other personalities, we had a lot of fun that day with the race.

I had been looking forward to working with this fun group again, and today I did! I made a short trip to Plover to speak to WYTE and WBCV. I was live on WYTE, and Mark kept emphasizing how Wisconsin is America’s Dairyland and is famous for its cheese! Wisconsin ranks first in the nation with 600 types, styles, and varieties of cheeses.

I then went to tape an interview with Travis of WBCV. Travis had a lot of fun with the products and was excited to see Stump’s Hot Olives. He is a fan of spicy foods and the Olives, Bloody Mary Mix, and Cloves were perfect. The best part about the campaign is that we can sample these Something Special items! Thanks to both of these stations for a great day!

Feature - Weggy Winery
Dec. 03, 2008

I have been carrying three beautiful bottles from Weggy Winery into southwestern Wisconsin media stations. Weggy Winery is located in Muscoda.

Weggy Red is a dry red wine with nice flavors. Weggy Blue is a semi-sweet white table wine that was the best seller in 2007. The Cranberry Wine is great for the upcoming holidays and uses Wisconsin fruit.

Weggy Winery is proud to grow almost all the grapes and fruits used in the wine. Wisconsin-grown and made! There are beautiful views from the hilltop of Weggy Winery. Visit Muscoda to learn about the wine industry and do fine wine sampling.

The website www.weggywinery.com is the place to go to learn about tours and find ordering information.

WJRW - Channel 12 in Rhinelander
Dec. 03, 2008

In the snow, I headed north to Rhinelander. I had visited Rhinelander High School in the fall, but I never have interviewed with the local television station. Today, I met Heather and the news team at WJRW – Channel 12.

The station was in the holiday spirit collecting toys for area youth and showing off festive decorations. I set up a display of products that would be perfect for the holidays. Hawkwind, LLC mustards pairs well with crackers and pretzels, Wollersheim wine always is a perfect addition to dinner or a gift.

I enjoyed explaining the products and hope I can work with Channel 12 – Rhinelander again.

Jim Stowell Interview in Beaver Dam
Dec. 03, 2008

More snow was falling this morning when I drove to Beaver Dam. I interviewed with Jim during the Cherries and Berries media campaign, and I was glad to be back in the studio promoting central Something Special from Wisconsin products.

Jim asked me to describe each of the tasty treats I brought with me. He even noticed the gorgeous centerpiece I brought made from Wisconsin Christmas trees. Visit savorwisconsin.com today to search for local gift items.

Feature - Twin Valley Bison, LLC
Dec. 02, 2008

Twin Valley Bison, LLC offers something new and special to Wisconsin. The bison industry is growing and is delicious! Traveling across Wisconsin, I have had Twin Valley Bison Summer Sausage, Hunter Sausage, and Snack Sticks.

Located in Prairie Farm, the family owns and operates the farm, At the farm, the bison are raised and the meat is sold. The family prides itself in putting 100% back into the farm.

They also do all the processing and packaging of the bison meat products and can answer any questions about this red meat you will want to eat this holiday.

Learn more and order at www.twinvalleyfarm.com.

Interview at Sassy Cow Creamery
Dec. 02, 2008

This afternoon I traveled to Sassy Cow Creamery in Columbus for an interview with a Korean television station that is filming a special on the Wisconsin dairy industry. Although I only spent a short time there, the Korean station will also join me in a school visit later this week.

Sassy Cow Creamery has a great line of dairy products at their store on Bristol Road and at many Wisconsin stores. See their website at www.sassycowcreamery.com!

Eben E. Rexford Day in Shiocton
Dec. 02, 2008

While the holiday interviews continue, I spent today at Shiocton Schools. This week, the school is having their annual celebration of Eben E. Rexford. Eben was an author, horticulturalist, and poet. He has a famous song, Silver Threads Among the Gold, that is recognized world-wide. Each year, the celebration has a different theme. This year’s theme is: agriculture!

That’s where I come in. John Lammers, the President of the Rexford Society, invited me to speak to all the kindergarten through eighth grade students. He set up a great schedule. I started the day doing the Building a Healthy Wisconsin program. Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board has fantastic educational tools, and I am glad to be able to use them.

I ended the day in the middle school classes doing the Think Your Drink! presentation. I had fun answering student questions about agriculture, my job, and their beverage choices. Thank you to John for a good day!

WDOR Radio Interview
Dec. 01, 2008

Up to WDOR in Sturgeon Bay for my next interview! Eddy Allen’s father started the station many years ago, and now Eddy runs WDOR. Today, we did a 15 minute interview on his mid-day show. Eddy asked about the adventures of Alice in Dairyland and the Wisconsin products I had.

There are many great ideas to buy local in northeastern Wisconsin to support local businesses, the community, and the economy. I shared some of my favorites including Confections for Any Occasion (chocolate) and Best Products Whipped Honey Spread (cranberry flavored)!

Eddy then invited people to call the station to share their favorite ideas. It was fun to learn the local favorites, and I will have to take the time to tour Door County someday when the snow isn’t falling!

Green Bay Television and Radio
Dec. 01, 2008

Mike Austin has been a great friend of mine from when I was an intern with the Wisconsin CowParade. Today, I met Mike at the WFRV studio to share more Something Special from Wisconsin holiday gifts. Mike does news for the television and local radio station. I taped a television interview and a radio interview about central Wisconsin products.

Even beef jerky can be a great gift for a camper or hunter this holiday. Try some beef jerky from Primal Cut in New Lisbon. If you are looking for a unique appetizer, choose mustards from Hawkwind, LLC in Baraboo. Something Special for everyone!

WAOW TV Interview
Dec. 01, 2008

Driving through a winter wonderland! Wisconsin was white with snow this morning when I made my way to Wausau to interview with Natalie Sparacio, the WakeUp Wisconsin anchor. This is the third time WAOW has welcomed me, and I always enjoy my visit.

Natalie asked me what would be my favorite Something Special from Wisconsin holiday gift. I explained that I would give a variety of Wisconsin gifts, but I would enjoy wine from some of our state’s great wineries like Wollersheim to serve with friends. At a holiday party, I would also serve the organic, grass-fed summer sausage from Beltie Beef. I said good-bye as I went back out in the snow leaving behind a beautiful swag from the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers.

Feature - Stump's Hot Olives
Dec. 01, 2008

Since I started at DATCP, people have been talking about Stump’s Hot Olives. “Stump” has recently retired and is enjoying time with his family. He sold the business to the Glaser Brothers of Wausau. Chad, Tyler, and Todd Glaser have been life-long friends of Stump and are enjoying carrying on his love of spicy food and excellent products.

Some items offered from Stump’s are Mediterranean Olives and the famous Hot Olives. If you are looking for a holiday drink, try the Mild or Hot Bloody Mary mix. Stump’s offers the products individually or in a gift box.

There is a new product of Bread and Butter Hot Garlic! It is available at Blaine’s Farm and Fleet, Woodman’s, Festival Foods, and other local retailers. Search www.stumpshotolives for your holiday shopping.

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Contact the Alice In Dairyland Program at:
2811 Agriculture Dr. PO Box 8911
Madison WI 53708-8911
Phone (608) 224-5127