12-19-2008
Search Opens For 62nd Alice In Dairyland;Host County For 2011 Finals Also Sought

Nicole Breunig, 608-224-5080

MADISON -- Applications are open for the next Alice in Dairyland, to be named in May, and for counties interested in hosting the 2011 Alice in Dairyland finals.

"Alice in Dairyland is the spokesperson for Wisconsin's signature industry -- agriculture, which is a $51.5 billion industry," says Ashley Huibregtse, 61st Alice in Dairyland. "As Wisconsin's agricultural ambassador, you are a public relations professional, marketing specialist, and educator. If you enjoy delivering speeches, conducting media campaigns, meeting people, traveling, and working with school children, this is a great opportunity for you."

Alice in Dairyland is a one year, full-time contract position with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The 62nd Alice in Dairyland will begin work June 1 after being selected in Racine County during the finals May 13-15. She will travel about 40,000 miles as a spokesperson for Wisconsin's food, fiber, and biofuel industries. Additionally, she will present hundreds of speeches, provide more than 100 media interviews, and visit schools throughout the year.

Applicants must be Wisconsin residents and at least 21 years of age by June 1. The Alice in Dairyland position is steeped in tradition, requiring the ability to discuss Wisconsin's agricultural commodities, products, and issues facing agriculture in both rural and urban settings with public speaking skills being essential.

Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16. The application is available here for downloading. It may be submitted by email to Nicole Breunig or by mail to DATCP-DAD, ATTN Nicole Breunig, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911.

The three-day final selection process has been held in 36 counties over the years. It is a chance to put the county's agricultural heritage and economy on display and brings to the area hundreds of visitors and members of the media. The site is chosen two years in advance. Local economic development groups, county agriculture organizations and community visitor bureaus can learn more about hosting the Alice in Dairyland finals in May 2011 here.

"The Chippewa County Alice in Dairyland finals were a great opportunity for our county to build on a tradition and showcase our county to all of Wisconsin," states Steve Meinen, 2007 Chippewa County Alice in Dairyland Finals Committee Chair. "The finals were a real tribute to our county as we shared our agriculture traditions and knowledge with the finalists, media and hundreds of guests attending the events during the three-day event."

For more information, contact Nicole Breunig, 608-224-5080.

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