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Ag spotlighted as Alice in Dairyland nears
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Winterberry Tree Farm owner Greg Lancaster, Alice in Dairyland Kaitlyn Riley and Lynn Lokken, Green County Alice Finals Committee co-chair help during the Christmas tree event.

MONROE — When Green County hosts the Alice in Dairyland Finals contest in May, local cheese will surely be highlighted. 

But the Alice in Dairyland program, which began in 1948, promotes all of Wisconsin agriculture — including the Christmas tree industry.  

In the months leading up to the contest to choose the 72nd Alice in Dairyland, the current Alice, Kaitlyn Riley, is scheduled to be in Green County for activities and events. This month she traveled to Winterberry Tree Farm near Brooklyn for a ceremonial cutting of a Christmas tree. 

The Green County Alice in Dairyland Finals Committee planned a day of fun and learning for local elementary school children from Albany and New Glarus, who took part in activity stations hosted by Albany, Juda and New Glarus FFA, Wisconsin DNR and the Green County Conservation League. 

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Members of the Green County Alice in Dairyland Finals Committee helped Alice in Dairyland Kaitlyn Riley run her hand-cut Christmas tree through the tree bagger at Winterberry Tree Farm near Brooklyn. From left, Julene Elmer, Dan Ziegler, Riley, Trisha Pernot and Lynn Lokken.

After a grilled cheese sandwich lunch prepared by committee volunteers, the students watched and cheered as Alice demonstrated how to choose and cut down your own Christmas tree.

Alice’s next event in Green County also ties in with the upcoming holiday season. Festivities will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7 at Turner Hall in Monroe. Alice and friends will light a giant Christmas tree the old-fashioned way — with real candles. The evening includes a holiday carol sing, as well as a touch of local Swiss heritage with a visit from Samiclaus and his partner Schmutzli.

Sponsors are needed to offset costs of bringing the Alice Finals to Green County. For more information on being a sponsor, go to www.aliceindairyland.com and click on “Green County Finals.” Follow www.facebook.com/AliceInDairylandFinals for the latest updates on where Alice will be and how to get involved. Email inquiries can be directed to alicegreencounty2019@gmail.com.