For Alice in Dairyland, Wisconsin’s main agricultural ambassador, her goal is to educate audiences across Wisconsin about the $88 billion economic impact and importance of the state’s diverse agriculture industry in the daily lives of Wisconsin citizens. World Dairy Expo is a major event for Alice, and AgWired was able to sit down with Ann O’Leary, the 69th Alice in Dairyland, to discuss some of the major ways she is using her title to help educate people throughout Wisconsin about the impact of agriculture.
“World Dairy Expo is a great opportunity for people who aren’t from a farming background to come out and experience agriculture,” said O’Leary. “You don’t have to live on a farm to be involved in the industry, I’m a great example of that, and having World Dairy Expo in a city like Madison is a great opportunity to bring people in and see what makes Wisconsin’s dairy industry so strong.”
O’Leary, like many Americans, did not grow up on a farm, and is using her title as Alice in Dairyland to help promote agriculture to some of Wisconsin’s more urban communities. Her work with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) allows her to reach a variety of individuals and show them the impact that Wisconsin agriculture makes on their life.
Listen to Lizzy’s full interview with Ann here:
Interview with Ann O'Leary, Alice in Dairyland
View and download photos from the event here: 2016 World Dairy Expo Photo Album