Less than 10% of Wisconsin is used for growing corn, but that percentage has an impressive impact. In 2025, Wisconsin’s corn industry generated $5.1 billion in economic output and supported more than 19,500 jobs. I’ve enjoyed celebrating corn as Alice in Dairyland at the Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival, the Randolph Community Corn Carnival, and during my tour at the United Wisconsin Grain Producers (UWGP) facility. Plus, every mile I drive is fueled by ethanol! The iconic Ali

My experience at the 175th Wisconsin State Fair was an easy five-star review. Some may think that spending all 11 days of the Wisconsin State Fair walking the grounds and connecting with exhibitors and fairgoers would be tiring… and that would be correct, to an extent. However, the energy I gained from being at the State Fair, surrounded by agriculture and passionate advocates, made the miles I walked seem like nothing! I spent the majority of my time visiting Dairy Lane or e

We often think about the abundance and diversity of Wisconsin's $116.3 billion agriculture industry, but you may not know about the abundant opportunities to explore the world of agriculture through educational tours and talks. Local county, district, and state fairs offer hands on exposure to agriculture. In addition to the livestock shows and 4-H or FFA projects, there are also a variety of speakers and educational tents available. During my very first fair visit as Alice i

No matter the shape, form, or flavor, ice cream is one of my favorite sweet treats. In fact, ice cream is easily my favorite food. It doesn’t matter if it’s 85 degrees and sunny, or I’m huddled under three blankets in the cold of winter—ice cream is my go-to. Ice cream can be enjoyed in a variety of ways! From vanilla to chocolate chip cookie dough or a creamy peanut butter swirl, you can’t go wrong. Whether you enjoy toppings on your ice cream, or ice cream as a topping on y

A list of where you can find 78th Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow, at National Dairy Month events across the state this June. It is hard to believe that my year serving as Wisconsin’s 78th Alice in Dairyland is coming to a close, but I have the opportunity to finish out with one of the best celebrations yet: June Dairy Month in America’s Dairyland! As the dairy state, Wisconsin surely knows how to enjoy a “dairy” good time and highlight the rich heritage of our $52.8 billio

I have learned many valuable skills while growing up on my family’s dairy farm in Columbus; however, the most important lesson I learned that still guides me through life today is to always try new things. The day I decided to start showing sheep at the county fair changed everything. I had shown dairy every year, but I knew I wanted to try something new. Some of my neighbors showed sheep and mentioned how fun it was, and I thought I would give it a try. I’d never done it b

I loved growing up as a farm kid on one of Wisconsin’s 5,100 dairy farms. Yet, for every agriculture-related experience I had, I experienced an equally important non-agriculture experience that has shaped me into the passionate advocate I am today. Being allergic to grass, weeds, trees, and dust meant I couldn’t be involved with the farm in a traditional way. Instead, I used my passions to find a different role in the industry. Spending my childhood with my nose stuck i

Growing up, my dad would bring me along on his milk hauling routes across south-central Wisconsin. While he pumped milk, I would find the barn cats, name the calves, and become fascinated by the occasional robot milker in the free stall barn. What felt like simple curiosity at the time was actually the beginning of something bigger. I began to ask the farmers and my dad questions, most of which starting with “why.” Why are these cows eating something different from th

You may see a little girl digging a hole, but in less than a year, this will turn into the house and hobby farm of her family's dreams. I’m happy to report that little girl is me, and I dug the first hole to start our more than 40-acre hobby farm from the 13.8 million acres of agricultural land in Wisconsin. This is where each of my agricultural passions started. This is not a multi-generational family farm, but through the hard work of my family, we were able to start our o

Agriculture may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Ozaukee County—but for me, it’s where everything began. I grew up spending many days at my grandparents’ dairy farm, helping feed calves, milk, and other small tasks. Through 4-H, my curiosity grew through projects such as horse and pony, beef, and beekeeping. I was an active member of the horse education program, competing at state and national events while strengthening my public speaking. This mark