Calling all young dairy women in South Dakota – could you be the next South Dakota Dairy Princess? The Midwest Dairy Association is currently seeking candidates for the 53rd State Dairy Princess pageant to be held on March 19-20 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Applications are due March 1st.
The South Dakota Dairy Princess serves as the official goodwill ambassador for the state’s dairy industry, making a variety of public appearances to help consumers understand how dairy products contribute to good health, and how dairy farmers provide wholesome products through responsible stewardship of their land and animals.
Midwest Dairy Association is funded by dairy farmers to build sales and demand for dairy products through integrated marketing, innovation, nutrition education and research. “The princess can serve as an important educator on behalf of dairy farmers,” said Char Hovland, Industry Relations Manager for Midwest Dairy Association. “She can be especially effective with younger children who want to learn about dairy products and dairy farming.”
Candidates must be 17 to 23 years old, a high school graduate, unmarried and have parents or guardians who are actively engaged in the production of milk for sale to a licensed plant. A candidate also qualifies if she or her parents or guardian are employed on a dairy farm. Candidates are judged on their communication skills, personality, general knowledge of the dairy industry and enthusiasm for dairy promotion.
The 2008 South Dakota Dairy Princess receives a $1,000 scholarship from Midwest Dairy Association. The first runner-up receives a $500 scholarship from the Central Plains Dairy Expo.