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Adams
County is hosting the 71st
Wisconsin Alice in Dairyland Finals
May 17-19, 2018
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Meet
the 2018 Alice in Dairyland Finalists |
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Kristen Broege
Kristen Broege
is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying Dairy
Science with a certificate in Agricultural Business Management.
Her passion for agriculture extends beyond the classroom and on
campus she is involved in Badger Dairy Club, the Association of
Women in Agriculture, Dairy Challenge and Dairy Judging. Broege’s
interest in agriculture stems from growing up on her family’s
dairy farm in Janesville. She, along with her sisters, own and
show a small herd of registered Holsteins. In her youth, Broege
was actively involved in 4-H, FFA, and the Wisconsin Junior Holstein
Association. She recently applied her knowledge and learned more
about Wisconsin’s agricultural industry through internships
with Gil-Bar Jerseys, Landmark Services Cooperative, and East
Central/Select Sires.
“If chosen to represent Wisconsin’s diverse agriculture
industry as Alice in Dairyland, I will use my enthusiasm to learn
and hear about other agriculturists’ passions and communicate
that new knowledge to consumers,” said Broege.
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Sydney
Endres
Sydney
Endres grew up on her family’s Jersey farm in Lodi. She
graduated in August from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with
degrees in Dairy Science and Life Sciences Communication. While
there, she was involved in multiple agriculture student organizations
including the Association of Women in Agriculture, the Dairy Girl
Network, and the UW-Madison Dairy Cattle Center and had positions
with the Wisconsin State Fair, Land O’ Lakes, Inc. and Professional
Dairy Producers Association. After graduation, she interned for
Fair Oaks Farms and now works for US Jersey. A Jersey Association
Lifetime member and All-American Junior Show Committee member,
in her spare time, Endres enjoys helping out on the farm, Nordic
skiing and spreading her love of Wisconsin agriculture.
“As Alice in Dairyland, I will devote my time to learning
and sharing about Wisconsin’s diverse agriculture industries
with audiences of different ages and backgrounds,” said
Endres. “With so much to share, I will find something valuable
for everyone to know about the top industry in our state.”
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Alexus
Grossbier
Alexus Grossbier
grew up in Elk Mound and developed an understanding and excitement
for Wisconsin’s vast agricultural commerce on her family’s
small hobby farm. She was involved in the Elk Meadow 4-H club,
where she raised and showed pigs at the county fair, along with
crocheting, vegetables, and cake decorating. She served as secretary
and president for her 4-H club. Previously, and presently, she
furthers her agricultural knowledge by helping her dad with his
meat processing business. She graduated in May, 2017 from the
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a major in psychology
and a minor in leadership. On campus she was involved in the Gopher
Dairy Club, was a teaching assistant, and worked as a social media
specialist with the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health
Center. She recently ended her reign as Dunn County’s 2017
and first-ever, Fairest of the Fair.
"As Alice, I will use my communication and leadership skills
to not only educate and teach consumers of all ages about Wisconsin’s
agricultural impact but also grow myself and my knowledge of all
the agricultural products this great state has to offer.”
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Jacqueline
Hilliard
Jacqueline
Hilliard, a Wisconsin Dells native, discovered her passion for
Wisconsin agriculture on her parents’ grain farm and through
involvement in Adams County 4-H and Wisconsin Dells FFA. Through
these organizations, she served as Adams County Fairest of the
Fair and competed at nationals to receive her FFA American Degree.
In May, 2017 Hilliard graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
with degrees in horticulture and agronomy. There she was involved
in collegiate FFA as the chapter’s president, the UW Marching
Band, UW Crops Club, and the UW Horticulture Society. Previously,
she interned at Allen Centennial Garden, and the West Madison
Agricultural Research Station. Currently she works as an Assistant
Plant Propagator at McKay Nursery Company in Waterloo, and assists
in managing her family’s wedding and event barn.
“As Alice in Dairyland, I hope to be a liaison between consumers
and agriculture,” Hilliard said. “I feel the conversations
with everyone whom Alice meets are essential for fueling the future
of Wisconsin’s agriculture industry, while building relations
between the Alice program and consumers.”
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Kaitlyn
Riley
Kaitlyn Riley,
Gays Mills, learned first-hand the passion and work ethic of Wisconsin
farmers growing up on her family’s registered Jersey dairy
farm. Wanting to share agriculture’s story, she studied
strategic communications and broadcast journalism at the University
of Wisconsin-Madison. In college, she held officer positions with
the Association of Women in Agriculture and Badger Dairy Club.
She also founded the university’s first agricultural radio
talk show, AgChat. After graduating with honors in May, 2014 Riley
served as the 48th Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs. Professionally,
she worked as the farm news director at WPRE-WQPC Radio in Prairie
du Chien and as a multimedia journalist with WQOW News 18 in Eau
Claire. In May, 2017 she returned to the family farm where she
manages calf and heifer care. She continues sharing the stories
of agriculture by freelance writing for Hoard’s Dairyman,
and she volunteers with agricultural organizations such as the
Crawford County Dairy Promoters, Crawford County Livestock Camp
Committee, and Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.
“As Alice in Dairyland, I will give a positive voice to
Wisconsin’s diverse agriculture industry,” said Riley.
“Through my travels, I will learn from the many faces of
agriculture to better educate urban and rural audiences about
the importance of Wisconsin food, fuel and fiber production in
our daily lives."
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Megan
Schulte
Megan
Schulte grew up in Hammond, and found a passion for Wisconsin
agriculture through her family’s dairy farm and raising
her own herd of beef cattle. She was active in St. Croix County
4-H and the New Richmond FFA Chapter. Through these organizations
she was able to compete in dairy judging at the local and state
levels, as well as exhibit dairy, beef, and hogs at the county
and state fairs. She will graduate in May from the University
of Minnesota- Twin Cities with a major in Agricultural Communication
and Marketing and a minor in Animal Science. On campus she has
been involved in the Gopher Dairy Club, Agricultural Education
Club, and Beta of Clovia, a sorority built on the foundations
of 4-H. Previously, she interned with Clark County 4-H and Extension
Services, and Fair Oaks Farms.
“Supporting Wisconsin agriculture will always be a passion
of mine,” said Schulte, “and as Alice in Dairyland,
I will work to foster a positive relationship with the public
and strive to better connect the majority of the population to
the people who are directly connected to the farm.”
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