Crystal Siemers-Peterman of Cleveland was selected as Wisconsin’s 70th Alice in Dairyland on May 13 in the Atrium at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

The Manitowoc County native will work as a communications professional for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Her job for the next year will be to educate the public about the importance of agriculture in Wisconsin.

Dream come true
Siemers-Peterman, 21, was one of six finalists vying to be the 2017 Alice in Dairyland. Moments after being selected, she said being named Alice was “an honor. I look forward to promoting the $88.3 billion ag industry in this state.”

She grew up on her family’s 2,700-cow registered Holstein dairy farm. Siemers-Peterman was active in 4-H and the Manitowoc County Junior Holstein Association, and showed Holsteins at county, district, state and national shows. She participated in dairy judging and dairy quiz bowl.

The daughter of Sherry Siemers-Peterman and Jack Peterman of Cleveland, she majored in agricultural and food business management with a minor in marketing at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and graduated earlier this month. On campus, she was involved in the National Agri-Marketing Association, National Grocers Association and Gopher Dairy Club.

NEW ALICE: Crystal Siemers-Peterman is all smiles after being selected as the 70th Alice in Dairyland.

“As Alice in Dairyland, I will promote positive messages about Wisconsin's agricultural products to both rural and urban audiences. I will use my various experiences, education and outgoing personality to deliver consistent messages about Wisconsin's agriculture industry to diverse audiences,” Siemers-Peterman said.

Siemers-Peterman was selected at the culmination of three days of final interview events in Brown County. The events included tours of area agribusinesses, speeches, a public question-and-answer session and media interviews.

The other finalists were Abrielle Backhaus of Kewaskum, Jenna Crayton of Oak Creek, Alexis Dunnum of Westby, Kaitlyn Riley of Gays Mills and Kelly Wilfert of Two Rivers.

Siemers-Peterman will return from a two-week vacation to Europe on May 29 and start working as Alice on June 5. She succeeds the 69th Alice in Dairyland Ann O’Leary of Evansville. O’Leary has accepted a position as associate account executive at Kennedy Communications in Madison. She will start her new job in late June.

As Alice, Siemers-Peterman will be paid a salary of $45,000 and will travel about 40,000 miles, speaking at events and giving media interviews. She will present lessons in more than 100 fourth-grade classrooms in partnership with the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.

A number of other Wisconsin organizations contribute to make Alice in Dairyland visible and recognizable to the public. Siemers-Peterman will wear a custom mink garment to promote Wisconsin’s fur industry, and she’ll drive a 2016 E85 flex-fuel Ford Explorer to promote the state’s ethanol industry. While working, Siemers-Peterman will wear a 14-karat gold and platinum tiara or brooch, both of which feature amethysts and citrines, gems indigenous to Wisconsin. The gems are provided by the Midwest Jewelers Association.

Bill Jartz, anchorman for WBAY-TV in Green Bay, served as master of ceremonies for the finals.

Wisconsin Agriculture Secretary Ben Brancel announced near the end of the Alice finale that Adams County will host the 71st Alice in Dairyland awards in May 2018.