by Ashley Hagenow

The Wisconsin State Fair has always been a highlight of the summer. This year, I look forward to returning to West Allis as the 76th Alice in Dairyland, Wisconsin’s agriculture ambassador, to promote the ag exhibits and educational opportunities inside State Fair Park.

The Wisconsin State Fair is much more than fair food and entertainment — it also showcases all that Wisconsin agriculture has to offer. By exploring the many animal exhibits or walking through the Wisconsin Products Pavilion, you have the chance to meet many of the state’s hardworking agriculturists. Each year while visiting the fair, I enjoy walking through the barns and pavilions to learn something new and to see familiar faces.

I officially started my term as the 76th Alice in Dairyland on July 5 after being selected at the three-day finale event held in Walworth County in May. I recently graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in agricultural communication and marketing. With the opportunity to serve as Alice in Dairyland, I am so thankful to be back home in Wisconsin for an exciting and rewarding year traveling our state and meeting many incredible people during this journey!

Through my involvement in 4-H and FFA at a young age, I found my love for agriculture by showing livestock, judging dairy cattle, serving in leadership roles and making lifelong friends in the industry. Any chance to connect with consumers at my local county fair or a breakfast on the farm event was especially rewarding to share more about Wisconsin agriculture and its people.

My involvement at the University of Minnesota extended beyond the classroom, as I was an active member of the National Agri-Marketing Association, Gopher Dairy Club and Agriculture Future of America, and served in different student-worker jobs on campus. I also held various internships within agriculture, such as with Progressive Dairy and World Dairy Expo, to gain storytelling skills and highlight the incredible people in agriculture.

One of my favorite memories from exhibiting at the Wisconsin State Fair is from the Junior Dairy Show in 2018, where my sister and I competed alongside each other for the title of supreme champion showperson. While many of our friends and family were in the audience, I was selected as supreme champion while my sister placed third overall. Showmanship has always been one of my favorite classes to compete in, and I cannot wait to watch this year’s junior exhibitors make lasting memories in and out of the show ring.

SHOWING SUCCESS: One of my favorite state fair memories is competing with my sister (right) for the title of supreme champion showperson during the Junior Dairy Show in 2018.

I’m looking forward to continuing exploring Wisconsin’s diverse $104.8 billion agriculture industry as the 76th Alice in Dairyland. From farm tours to classroom visits, fairs and more, I’m eager for all that lies ahead. You can follow my adventures at aliceindairyland.com or on social media, and you can find me at the 2023 Wisconsin State Fair, Aug. 3-13, at State Fair Park in West Allis. Learn more at wistatefair.com.

Hagenow is the 76th Alice in Dairyland.