Taking an "unfortunate, but necessary step," the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection announced Monday it would cancel the 74th Alice in Dairyland Finals. 

The finals were set to be held in Walworth County this May after the county had to switch to a virtual format in 2020 where 73rd Alice in Dairyland Julia Nunes was selected. Now, Nunes will serve two years until the 75th Alice in Dairyland Finals is held May 19-21, 2022 in Dane County. 

"As you might imagine, it was a very difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Alice finals," Krista Knigge, Administrator of DATCP’s Division of Agricultural Development, said. 

The Division of Agricultural Development houses the Alice in Dairyland program. Knigge said they wanted to give Walworth County ample time to possibly host another finale event in the future.

"There's a lot that goes into hosting the finals, and the opportunity for a county to host really gives them the chance to showcase the agribusinesses and the county," Knigge said.

She explained host counties are generally picked years in advance based on applications from potential host committees. That offers time for recruiting volunteers, fundraising, and planning. 

Nunes will be the first among many recent Alices to serve two full years, but Knigge said history shows the program continuously adapting to meet current needs. 

"Margaret McGuire, the first Alice, didn't actually even know she applied for the Alice in Dairyland position contrasting the extensive application process we have today," Knigge said. "Margaret mentioned to me that she served in the Alice in Dairyland role for several years and was doing activities for the state promoting Wisconsin agriculture."

In fact, Alice in Dairyland was only intended to be a one-year program, but success turned it into a tradition that lasted 73 years with the help of industry partners and sponsors such as Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board, the Midwest Jewelers Association, and the Kettle Moraine Mink Breeders Association. 

"We want to recognize and thank them for their flexibility throughout the changes that have been taking place since the start of COVID-19," Knigge said. "We really value and need their partnership for the continuation of the program."

As the current Alice, Nunes had to adapt to educating audiences on virtual platforms, a skill that the Alice in Dairyland program may benefit from in the future. 

"Julia has really done a tremendous job this year and really elevated the online presence of the Alice programming," Knigge said. "We really want to make sure that we build on that so that it becomes kind of a staple in an ongoing element of the Alice in Dairyland role. We've seen an accelerated interest in some of the Alice programs, numbers that we've never seen before in terms of virtual engagement with stakeholders."

Although the lapse in a year may eliminate candidates who planned to apply in 2021, Knigge was hopeful the extra year will help potential applications with planning for when they can apply to become the next Alice in Dairyland.

According to DATCP, Nunes will officially become the 74th Alice in Dairyland in May of 2021.  Applications for the 75th Alice in Dairyland will be made available on Jan. 3, 2022. After being selected at the Dane County finals, the 75th Alice in Dairyland will begin her term on July 5, 2022.

Dunn County was previously scheduled to host the finals in 2023, but DATCP said plans for future host counties are still in development. 

Taking an "unfortunate, but necessary step," the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection <a href="https://www.midwestfarmreport.com/2021/01/04/74th-alice-in-dairyland-finals-cancelled/">announced Monday</a> it would cancel the 74th Alice in Dairyland Finals.&nbsp;
The finals were set to be held in Walworth County this May after the county had to switch to a virtual format in 2020 where 73rd Alice in Dairyland Julia Nunes was selected. Now, Nunes will serve two years until the 75th Alice in Dairyland Finals is held May 19-21, 2022 in Dane County.&nbsp;
"As you might imagine, it was a very difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Alice finals," Krista Knigge, Administrator of DATCP&rsquo;s Division of Agricultural Development, said.&nbsp;
The Division of Agricultural Development houses the Alice in Dairyland program. Knigge said they wanted to give Walworth County ample time to possibly host another finale event in the future.
"There's a lot that goes into hosting the finals, and the opportunity for a county to host really gives them the chance to showcase the agribusinesses and the county," Knigge said.
She explained host counties are generally picked years in advance based on applications from potential host committees. That offers time for recruiting volunteers, fundraising, and planning.&nbsp;
Nunes will be the first among many recent Alices to serve two full years, but Knigge said history shows the program continuously adapting to meet current needs.&nbsp;
"Margaret McGuire, the first Alice, didn't actually even know she applied for the Alice in Dairyland position contrasting the extensive application process we have today," Knigge said. "Margaret mentioned to me that she served in the Alice in Dairyland role for several years and was doing activities for the state promoting Wisconsin agriculture."
In fact, Alice in Dairyland was only intended to be a one-year program, but success turned it into a tradition that lasted 73 years with the help of industry partners and sponsors such as Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board, the Midwest Jewelers Association, and the Kettle Moraine Mink Breeders Association.&nbsp;
"We want to recognize and thank them for their flexibility throughout the changes that have been taking place since the start of COVID-19," Knigge said. "We really value and need their partnership for the continuation of the program." As the current Alice, Nunes had to adapt to educating audiences on virtual platforms, a skill that the Alice in Dairyland program may benefit from in the future.&nbsp;
"Julia has really done a tremendous job this year and really elevated the online presence of the Alice programming," Knigge said. "We really want to make sure that we build on that so that it becomes kind of a staple in an ongoing element of the Alice in Dairyland role. We've seen an accelerated interest in some of the Alice programs, numbers that we've never seen before in terms of virtual engagement with stakeholders."
Although the lapse in a year may eliminate candidates who planned to apply in 2021, Knigge was hopeful the extra year will help potential applications with planning for when they can apply to become the next Alice in Dairyland.
According to DATCP, Nunes will officially become the 74th Alice in Dairyland in May of 2021. &nbsp;Applications for the 75th&nbsp;Alice in Dairyland will be made available on Jan. 3, 2022. After being selected at the Dane County finals, the 75th&nbsp;Alice in Dairyland will begin her term on July 5, 2022.
Dunn County was previously scheduled to host the finals in 2023, but DATCP said plans for future host counties are still in development.&nbsp;

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

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