Six qualified young women are vying for the the 71st Alice in Dairyland position. On Friday, March 16, 2018, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced this year’s top six candidates for the Alice in Dairyland position at Heartland Farms in Hancock, Wisconsin.
Alice in Dairyland is a one-year, full-time public relations position with the Wisconsin Department of
Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. In this highly visible and fast-paced position, Alice in Dairyland travels throughout the state teaching rural and urban audiences of all ages about Wisconsin’s extensive agricultural industry. In the position, Alice in Dairyland cultivates relationships with television, radio and print media outlets; writes and delivers speeches; and utilizes social media to tell the stories of Wisconsin agriculture. Additional duties include developing and executing marketing plans, delivering classroom presentations, and networking with industry professionals.
The top six candidates for the 71st Alice in Dairyland position include:
Kristen Broege- A senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying Dairy Science with a
certificate in Agricultural Business Management. Her passion for agriculture extends beyond the
classroom and on campus she is involved in Badger Dairy Club, the Association of Women in
Agriculture, Dairy Challenge and Dairy Judging. Broege’s interest in agriculture stems from growing
up on her family’s dairy farm in Janesville. She, along with her sisters, own and show a small herd of
registered Holsteins. In her youth, Broege was actively involved in 4-H, FFA, and the Wisconsin Junior
Holstein Association. She recently applied her knowledge and learned more about Wisconsin’s
agricultural industry through internships with Gil-Bar Jerseys, Landmark Services Cooperative, and
East Central/Select Sires.
“If chosen to represent Wisconsin’s diverse agriculture industry as Alice in Dairyland, I will use my
enthusiasm to learn and hear about other agriculturists’ passions and communicate that new knowledge
to consumers,” said Broege.
Sydney Endres- Sydney grew up on her family’s Jersey farm in Lodi. She graduated in August from the
University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in Dairy Science and Life Sciences Communication.
While there, she was involved in multiple agriculture student organizations including the Association of
Women in Agriculture, the Dairy Girl Network, and the UW-Madison Dairy Cattle Center and had
positions with the Wisconsin State Fair, Land O’ Lakes, Inc. and Professional Dairy Producers
Association. After graduation, she interned for Fair Oaks Farms and now works for US Jersey. A Jersey
Association Lifetime member and All-American Junior Show Committee member, in her spare time,
Endres enjoys helping out on the farm, Nordic skiing and spreading her love of Wisconsin agriculture.
“As Alice in Dairyland, I will devote my time to learning and sharing about Wisconsin’s diverse
agriculture industries with audiences of different ages and backgrounds,” said Endres. “With so much
to share, I will find something valuable for everyone to know about the top industry in our state.”
Alexus Grossbier- Alexus, grew up in Elk Mound and developed an understanding and excitement for
Wisconsin’s vast agricultural commerce on her family’s small hobby farm. She was involved in the Elk
Meadow 4-H club, where she raised and showed pigs at the county fair, along with crocheting,
vegetables, and cake decorating. She served as secretary and president for her 4-H club. Previously, and
presently, she furthers her agricultural knowledge by helping her dad with his meat processing business.
She graduated in May, 2017 from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a major in psychology
and a minor in leadership. On campus she was involved in the Gopher Dairy Club, was a teaching
assistant, and worked as a social media specialist with the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and
Health Center. She recently ended her reign as Dunn County’s 2017 and first-ever, Fairest of the Fair.
“As Alice, I will use my communication and leadership skills to not only educate and teach consumers
of all ages about Wisconsin’s agricultural impact but also grow myself and my knowledge of all the
agricultural products this great state has to offer.”
Jacqueline Hilliard- A Wisconsin Dells native, discovered her passion for Wisconsin agriculture on her
parents’ grain farm and through involvement in Adams County 4-H and Wisconsin Dells FFA. Through
these organizations, she served as Adams County Fairest of the Fair and competed at nationals to
receive her FFA American Degree. In May, 2017 Hilliard graduated from the University of WisconsinMadison
with degrees in horticulture and agronomy. There she was involved in collegiate FFA as the
chapter’s president, the UW Marching Band, UW Crops Club, and the UW Horticulture Society.
Previously, she interned at Allen Centennial Garden, and the West Madison Agricultural Research
Station. Currently she works as an Assistant Plant Propagator at McKay Nursery Company in Waterloo,
and assists in managing her family’s wedding and event barn.
“As Alice in Dairyland, I hope to be a liaison between consumers and agriculture,” Hilliard said. “I feel
the conversations with everyone whom Alice meets are essential for fueling the future of Wisconsin’s
agriculture industry, while building relations between the Alice program and consumers.”
Kaitlyn Riley- Riley is from Gays Mills,where she learned first-hand the passion and work ethic of Wisconsin farmers growing up on her family’s registered Jersey dairy farm. Wanting to share agriculture’s story, she studied
strategic communications and broadcast journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In college,
she held officer positions with the Association of Women in Agriculture and Badger Dairy Club. She
also founded the university’s first agricultural radio talk show, AgChat. After graduating with honors in
May, 2014 Riley served as the 48th Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs. Professionally, she worked as the
farm news director at WPRE-WQPC Radio in Prairie du Chien and as a multimedia journalist with
WQOW News 18 in Eau Claire. In May, 2017 she returned to the family farm where she manages calf
and heifer care. She continues sharing the stories of agriculture by freelance writing for Hoard’s
Dairyman, and she volunteers with agricultural organizations such as the Crawford County Dairy
Promoters, Crawford County Livestock Camp Committee, and Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.
“As Alice in Dairyland, I will give a positive voice to Wisconsin’s diverse agriculture industry,” said
Riley. “Through my travels, I will learn from the many faces of agriculture to better educate urban and
rural audiences about the importance of Wisconsin food, fuel and fiber production in our daily lives.”
Megan Schulte- Schulte grew up in Hammond, and found a passion for Wisconsin agriculture through her
family’s dairy farm and raising her own herd of beef cattle. She was active in St. Croix County 4-H and
the New Richmond FFA Chapter. Through these organizations she was able to compete in dairy
judging at the local and state levels, as well as exhibit dairy, beef, and hogs at the county and state fairs.
She will graduate in May from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities with a major in Agricultural
Communication and Marketing and a minor in Animal Science. On campus she has been involved in
the Gopher Dairy Club, Agricultural Education Club, and Beta of Clovia, a sorority built on the
foundations of 4-H. Previously, she interned with Clark County 4-H and Extension Services, and Fair
Oaks Farms.
“Supporting Wisconsin agriculture will always be a passion of mine,” said Schulte, “and as Alice in
Dairyland, I will work to foster a positive relationship with the public and strive to better connect the
majority of the population to the people who are directly connected to the farm.”
Over the next two months, the candidates will participate in a rigorous interview process allowing them
to showcase communications and public relations skills required to be the next Alice in Dairyland.
Although only one of the six top candidates will be selected as the 71st Alice, the personal and
professional growth experienced by all six candidates as a result of participating in the process will
carry far into their future careers.
Each year, a different Wisconsin County hosts the Alice in Dairyland interview activities, with Adams County serving as the host county this year. The 71st Alice in Dairyland will be selected at the conclusion of the three-day finals program, May 17-19.
The public is welcome to attend two public events during the Finals in Adams County in May:
Candidate Discussion Panel, Friday, May 18; Fawn Creek Winery (3619 13th Ave., Wisconsin Dells);5 p.m., Social Hour; Dinner, 6 p.m.; Discussion Panel, 7 p.m. Join the 71st Alice in Dairylandcandidates as they take part in a discussion panel addressing agriculture topics. Ticket required, email [email protected] to inquire.
71st Alice in Dairyland Finale Program, Saturday, May 19; Adams-Friendship Fine Arts Center (1109
E. North Street, Adams), 4:30 p.m., Social Hour, 6 p.m., Dinner; Finale Program, 7:30 p.m. Join 70th
Alice in Dairyland Crystal Siemers-Peterman and longtime ag radio broadcaster Bob Bosold as they
host the Finale Program culminating in the announcement of the 71st Alice in Dairyland. Ticket
required, email [email protected] to inquire.
For more event information, visit aliceindairyland.com.
