For almost 80 years, Alice in Dairyland has served as Wisconsin’s official agricultural ambassador, promoting the state’s diverse agricultural industry in schools, to media outlets, at agritourism destinations, at local and county fairs, and even around the world. This strong tradition has benefitted all facets of agriculture, from cheese to Christmas trees to cranberries and countless other products. Looking to the future, the legacy of this beloved program will continue with the selection of the 79th Alice in Dairyland.
Since being selected as the 78th Alice in Dairyland in Crawford County six months ago, I have been constantly motivated, challenged, and inspired by Wisconsin agriculture. Every day has been an adventure, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the chance to learn something new about Wisconsin agriculture and the stories behind the products we all enjoy. As I reach the halfway point of my journey as Alice, it is time to begin the process of finding the next amazing individual who will proudly embody Wisconsin’s $116.3 billion agriculture industry.
For interested candidates, the role of Alice in Dairyland offers a few unique opportunities. The position has allowed me to gain many different professional and life skills that I will carry with me throughout my career. These include participating in high-profile media campaigns, putting my public speaking skills to use, building strategic communications to reach new audiences, and traveling all over the state of Wisconsin. Serving as Alice has also allowed me to build a vast network with different agribusinesses, academic groups, non-profit organizations, media outlets, and dedicated volunteers who make the agriculture industry exceptional. Some of my favorite memories from this year have come from meeting the people behind the products and places that make Wisconsin so special, and these cherished memories are ones I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
The search for the next Alice in Dairyland begins on January 2, 2026 when applications become available on the Alice in Dairyland website. By January 30, those interested in the role of Alice must apply with a resume, cover letter, references, personal biography, and application form. Qualified candidates will then go through an individual interview on February 21, 2026. After these interviews, up to six Top Candidates for the 79th Alice in Dairyland will be selected and officially announced publicly at a press conference in early March, hosted by Marathon County.
With a focus on learning more about the agriculture industry and professional development, Top Candidates will undergo months of rigorous marketing and communications training; connect with Wisconsin agribusinesses; and complete assignments related to media interviews, speeches, writing skills, and more. The application process culminates at the three-day Alice in Dairyland Finals, held from May 14-16, 2026 in Marathon County, where the 79th Alice in Dairyland will be formally announced. After being selected, the 79th Alice in Dairyland will begin her term on July 6, 2026, serving as an agriculture spokesperson, and providing public relations and communication services for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) from its Madison headquarters for the contract year. A special thank you goes to the Alice in Dairyland team and all those involved at DATCP, as well as the Partnership for Progressive Agriculture in Marathon County that is serving as the 79th Alice in Dairyland Finals Host Committee. This year’s Alice in Dairyland Finals process would only be a mere thought without all the hard work and dedication they have put forth.
The first six months of representing Wisconsin agriculture as the 78th Alice in Dairyland have held so many memories and experiences, whether attending the entirety of the Wisconsin State Fair, answering questions from fourth grade students about specialty crops, traveling overseas to Shanghai to promote Wisconsin ginseng, sharing more about agritourism across the state, or developing unique media campaigns. If this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity sounds like a great fit for you, I would love to see your application for Wisconsin’s 79th Alice in Dairyland! The application will be available on DATCP’s website from January 2-30, 2026. Visit datcp.wi.gov/Pages/AgDevelopment/BecomingAlice.aspx to apply!
— Sarah Hagenow is the 78th Alice in Dairyland, Wisconsin’s agriculture ambassador who works with media professionals to educate consumers about the importance of agriculture to our economy and way of life. She can be reached at sarah.hagenow@wisconsin.gov.
