The Search for the 79th Alice in Dairyland Begins

A new year brings many fresh starts - new recipes, new routines, new friendships, and new goals. For the Alice in Dairyland program, it also brings one of our most meaningful annual traditions: the search for the next woman who will serve as Wisconsin’s official agricultural ambassador.

Each January, the Alice in Dairyland program reaches its midpoint for the current “Alice” and begins to look ahead toward who will represent Wisconsin agriculture in the coming year. In the beginning of January, prospective candidates submit a resume, cover letter, references, and application form in hopes of stepping into this once-in-a-lifetime role. After individual interviews at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), up to six Top Candidates are selected and introduced to the public at a press briefing in March.

Throughout the spring, these selected candidates participate in weekly training sessions and professional development workshops. They also complete various assignments designed to build their communication skills and deepen their understanding of Wisconsin agriculture. Each piece of knowledge and each new skill that the Top Candidates gain then culminate for the three-day finale event in May.

I remember the months leading up to the 78th Alice in Dairyland Finals in Crawford County vividly. As a Top Candidate, I gained invaluable insight into our state’s diverse $116.3 billion agricultural landscape while sharpening skills in public speaking, media relations, and digital communications. As I completed my journey to Prairie du Chien on the brink of the Finals that fateful weekend in May, I remember feeling an energy of excitement and accomplishment. This is a feeling that all Top Candidates experience as they prepare to embark upon a memorable, fulfilling, and life-changing event.

Though the process is essentially an interview, it feels like a mini term as Alice in Dairyland. The Top Candidate process is an opportunity to grow, connect, and become fully immersed in the responsibilities of the role and get a taste of the life of serving as Alice in Dairyland. At the conclusion, all Top Candidates receive an official Marketing and Communications Certificate from DATCP to signify that they completed one of the most rewarding job interviews around and gained valuable skills.

This May, the candidates vying to become the 79th Alice in Dairyland will travel to Marathon County, the host of the 2026 Alice in Dairyland Finals. Over three days, they will participate in agribusiness tours, media interviews, and formal presentations. A selection panel will evaluate their performance, and on May 16, the last day of the Finals, Wisconsin’s next Alice in Dairyland will be announced.

Serving as the 78th Alice has already been an extraordinary honor. These first six months have been filled with meaningful conversations, early-morning interviews, farm and business tours, and plenty of memorable moments enjoying Wisconsin’s agricultural products. The year may be short, but the impact is lasting. Every day reminds me why this role is so special in representing and promoting a special experience in Wisconsin that has its roots in agriculture.

If this experience sounds like the right fit for you, I encourage you to apply for a chance to become the 79th Alice in Dairyland. Applications are available at AliceinDairyland.com under the "Becoming Alice" page from January 2 to January 30, 2026. Be sure to apply by 4:30 p.m. on the final day of applications! Whether you are considering applying or simply love following the program, I invite you to join us for the 79th Alice in Dairyland Finals, May 14-16, 2026 in beautiful Marathon County.