Meet the Candidates - Michelle Stangler: Wisconsin is Home

College, internships and international travel showed me the agriculture industry in different places, yet each opportunity strengthened my connection to Wisconsin’s diverse agricultural communities.

From reporting on student stories at multiple National FFA Convention and Expos in Indiana to writing and broadcasting farmers’ stories in Idaho and Missouri, and studying abroad while traveling independently to more than 10 countries across Europe, I grew my communications skills and deepened my passion for sharing agriculture’s story with both consumers and farmers.

While these experiences expanded my perspective, they also showed me how unique and special Wisconsin’s agriculture industry is.

In Europe, I found myself searching for Wisconsin Cheese, a taste of home. In Idaho, interviewing dairy farmers brought out the same strong sense of community that defines Wisconsin’s dairy industry. In Missouri, driving past tall cornfields reminded me that while the soil and climate may differ, farmers everywhere are creating products for people to use and enjoy.

These moments reminded me how Wisconsin’s agricultural community extends beyond our state, helping feed and serve local, national and global communities. I am proud to be part of an industry that supports families at home while connecting people around the world with food. Its diversity and richness strengthen our state’s economy and support farmers and processors alike.

Yet what stands out is not where I have gone. It’s what I have come back to.

Wisconsin feels like home because of the people who make it so. The farmers and grocers who have welcomed me in my role as a member engagement coordinator with the Wisconsin Grocers Association. The families who trusted me to share their stories through news outlets like the Ag News Daily Podcast and Dairy Star, connecting farmers and consumers to information.

It’s the personal moments, too. I cherish sharing Wisconsin with friends and family, whether it’s picking strawberries with my out-of-state friend Jenna or working on my family’s dairy farm growing up.

These experiences reflect the pride and connections that define Wisconsin agriculture. From my early curiosity about the industry to now as a Top Candidate for Wisconsin' s 79th Alice in Dairyland, agriculture has guided my journey and fueled my love for serving this community.

No matter how far I travel, Wisconsin has always been home, and I am excited about the opportunities ahead to share our state’s agriculture story.