MONROE - Sarah Sacker idolized the Alice in Dairyland role when she was a child. And now, Sacker has the chance to become Alice.
The 21-year-old Monroe native is one of five finalists for the 64th Alice in Dairyland position, one of the most recognizable spokespersons of Wisconsin agriculture.
Those selected for the year-long position work with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection - traveling the state to promote its agricultural products.
"Alice" is not a dairy queen, Sacker said, but an icon for such a large industry.
"She is an agricultural ambassador," Sacker said. "She plays the voice for Wisconsin agriculture."
Sacker is attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a double-major in dairy science and life sciences communication, and will be graduating in May.
"I knew I wanted a career in the ag industry," Sacker said. "UW-Madison has a great reputation for their ag department; I knew it was a fit."
She hopes the information she learned through her time at the UW, as well as her various agricultural activities, will win her the title.
"I would like the privilege of serving as the Wisconsin agriculture ambassador," Sacker said. "It's not an easy job, but I have worked for it."
Alice in Dairyland was created in 1948 as a high school graduate beauty queen. The first year, 16 finalists were chosen based on photos alone. Today, the selection process is based on resumes and interviews.
Applicants are required to be age 21 and older and have at least four years of experience or education in agriculture, public relations, communications, or a related field.
Sacker has been an active member in the agriculture field since she was a child. Growing up on her family's dairy farm, Sacker has been involved in 4-H and FFA.
While in 4-H, Sacker showed dairy cattle, as well as some beef cattle and horses.
She served as the 2005 Green County Dairy Queen.
Sacker is now a member of various clubs at the UW, including the Badger Dairy Club and the Association of Women in Agriculture.
The person chosen to be Alice in Dairyland will be expected to drive about 40,000 miles, visit 100 schools and make nearly 300 appearances for Wisconsin agriculture.
The Sacker family's farm consists of 100 Holstein milking cows and between 75 and 100 heifers or young stock. The family owns about 200 acres of corn and alfalfa. Sue, Sacker's mother, is a CNA at Monroe Clinic Hospital, and her dad, Jim, runs the family farm. Her older brother Adam works on the farm.
The next Alice in Dairyland will be chosen in Waushara County Thursday, May 12 through Saturday, May 14. The 64th Alice in Dairyland campaign will begin on June 1.
The three-day selection process includes two community events open to the public. The public can attend the question-and-answer session on Friday at Camp Lakotah in Wautoma and the finale selection event on Saturday at the Wautoma High School and McComb/Bruchs Performing Arts Center. Tickets for the events are available by calling (920) 787-2189 or toll-free at (888) 987-2189.
For more information on Alice in Dairyland, visit aliceindairyland.com or datcp.wisconsin.gov.
The 21-year-old Monroe native is one of five finalists for the 64th Alice in Dairyland position, one of the most recognizable spokespersons of Wisconsin agriculture.
Those selected for the year-long position work with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection - traveling the state to promote its agricultural products.
"Alice" is not a dairy queen, Sacker said, but an icon for such a large industry.
"She is an agricultural ambassador," Sacker said. "She plays the voice for Wisconsin agriculture."
Sacker is attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a double-major in dairy science and life sciences communication, and will be graduating in May.
"I knew I wanted a career in the ag industry," Sacker said. "UW-Madison has a great reputation for their ag department; I knew it was a fit."
She hopes the information she learned through her time at the UW, as well as her various agricultural activities, will win her the title.
"I would like the privilege of serving as the Wisconsin agriculture ambassador," Sacker said. "It's not an easy job, but I have worked for it."
Alice in Dairyland was created in 1948 as a high school graduate beauty queen. The first year, 16 finalists were chosen based on photos alone. Today, the selection process is based on resumes and interviews.
Applicants are required to be age 21 and older and have at least four years of experience or education in agriculture, public relations, communications, or a related field.
Sacker has been an active member in the agriculture field since she was a child. Growing up on her family's dairy farm, Sacker has been involved in 4-H and FFA.
While in 4-H, Sacker showed dairy cattle, as well as some beef cattle and horses.
She served as the 2005 Green County Dairy Queen.
Sacker is now a member of various clubs at the UW, including the Badger Dairy Club and the Association of Women in Agriculture.
The person chosen to be Alice in Dairyland will be expected to drive about 40,000 miles, visit 100 schools and make nearly 300 appearances for Wisconsin agriculture.
The Sacker family's farm consists of 100 Holstein milking cows and between 75 and 100 heifers or young stock. The family owns about 200 acres of corn and alfalfa. Sue, Sacker's mother, is a CNA at Monroe Clinic Hospital, and her dad, Jim, runs the family farm. Her older brother Adam works on the farm.
The next Alice in Dairyland will be chosen in Waushara County Thursday, May 12 through Saturday, May 14. The 64th Alice in Dairyland campaign will begin on June 1.
The three-day selection process includes two community events open to the public. The public can attend the question-and-answer session on Friday at Camp Lakotah in Wautoma and the finale selection event on Saturday at the Wautoma High School and McComb/Bruchs Performing Arts Center. Tickets for the events are available by calling (920) 787-2189 or toll-free at (888) 987-2189.
For more information on Alice in Dairyland, visit aliceindairyland.com or datcp.wisconsin.gov.