WAUTOMA - The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced on Saturday that Katie Wirkus of Athens was selected as the state's 64th Alice in Dairyland.
Wirkus was selected over Monroe native Sarah Sacker, and four other finalists, for the full-time public relations position at DATCP.
"As one of the most recognizable spokespersons of Wisconsin agriculture, Alice in Dairyland has an important role in connecting the rural and urban communities," said Wirkus, in a department statement. "As the 64th Alice in Dairyland, I look forward to educating consumers about where their food comes from and challenging them to spend their dollars on Wisconsin-grown and produced products, as it supports our local economies and communities."
In April, Sacker, 21, told the Times that she grew up idolizing the state's iconic "agricultural ambassador," and was honored to be among the finalists for the Alice in Dairyland crown.
Attempts to reach Sacker for comment were unsuccessful Sunday night.
She is a student at UW-Madison, with a double major in dairy science and life sciences communication, and will be graduating in May.
Wirkus, the DATCP said, grew up actively involved on her family's dairy and swine farm and in 4-H.
She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in December with degrees in agricultural education and mathematics.
The Alice in Dairyland competition began in Wisconsin in 1948.
Wirkus assumes her duties June 1, and will partner with the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board for many June Dairy Month events.
During her one-year contract year with DATCP's Division of Agricultural Development, she will travel more than 40,000 miles in an E-85 flex-fuel Chevrolet Tahoe - courtesy of the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board - to educate the media, youth and civic groups about the many facets of the state's agricultural industry.
Wirkus was selected over Monroe native Sarah Sacker, and four other finalists, for the full-time public relations position at DATCP.
"As one of the most recognizable spokespersons of Wisconsin agriculture, Alice in Dairyland has an important role in connecting the rural and urban communities," said Wirkus, in a department statement. "As the 64th Alice in Dairyland, I look forward to educating consumers about where their food comes from and challenging them to spend their dollars on Wisconsin-grown and produced products, as it supports our local economies and communities."
In April, Sacker, 21, told the Times that she grew up idolizing the state's iconic "agricultural ambassador," and was honored to be among the finalists for the Alice in Dairyland crown.
Attempts to reach Sacker for comment were unsuccessful Sunday night.
She is a student at UW-Madison, with a double major in dairy science and life sciences communication, and will be graduating in May.
Wirkus, the DATCP said, grew up actively involved on her family's dairy and swine farm and in 4-H.
She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in December with degrees in agricultural education and mathematics.
The Alice in Dairyland competition began in Wisconsin in 1948.
Wirkus assumes her duties June 1, and will partner with the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board for many June Dairy Month events.
During her one-year contract year with DATCP's Division of Agricultural Development, she will travel more than 40,000 miles in an E-85 flex-fuel Chevrolet Tahoe - courtesy of the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board - to educate the media, youth and civic groups about the many facets of the state's agricultural industry.