by Halei Heinzel

The Wisconsin State Fair has always been one of the highlights of my summer.

The last two summers I had the incredible opportunity to work for the Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Promotion Board, caring for and milking the demonstration dairy herd and educating fairgoers about our state’s impressive $45.6 billion dairy industry in Dairy Lane. This year, I look forward to returning to West Allis in a new role — as the 77th Alice in Dairyland, to promote the agriculture exhibits and educational opportunities inside State Fair Park.

The Wisconsin State Fair offers so much more than fair food and entertainment; it also showcases the best of Wisconsin agriculture. By exploring the many animal exhibits or walking through the Wisconsin Products Pavilion, you have the chance to meet many of Wisconsin’s hardworking farmers.

The Wisconsin State Fair will always have a special place in my heart. From walking the livestock barns to watching shows in the coliseum with my parents, it was here that I discovered my love for animals, which eventually blossomed into a passion for all things agriculture. This eventually led to me showing my first heifer, Dolly, in the open dairy show last summer!

I officially start my term as the 77th Alice on July 8, after being selected at the three-day finale event held in Door County, Wis., at the beginning of May. While I did not grow up in the agriculture industry, my passion for it runs deep. From a young age, I loved animals. This passion led me to join FFA in high school, through which in 2018, I milked a cow for the first time. I spent the next six years taking every opportunity I could find to get more involved in the agriculture industry.

Related:New Alice has passion for Wisconsin agriculture

2024 UW-Madison graduate

I recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in life sciences communication. With the opportunity to serve as Alice, I am so excited to travel Wisconsin for a memorable and rewarding year, connecting communities with agriculture and learning more about this diverse industry across our state.

I continued my involvement in agriculture at UW-Madison, where I was involved in organizations like the Babcock House Student Cooperative, the board of the Wisconsin Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Association, Science Communication Club, and the Polo Club. I also held internships with the Farm and Industry Short Course Program and the Professional Dairy Producers, which helped me hone my skills in agriculture marketing and communications.

I am eager for the opportunity to continue exploring Wisconsin’s diverse and abundant agriculture industry. From tours of farms and businesses to numerous county fairs and every event in between, I’m thrilled to have the chance to bridge the gap between producers and consumers and share more about our state’s vibrant agriculture industry.

You can follow along on my adventures at aliceindairyland.com or on social media. You can find me at the 2024 Wisconsin State Fair, Aug. 1-11 at State Fair Park in West Allis.

Heinzel is the 77th Alice in Dairyland.