Alysha Wieneke, is a 17- year old Senior at Adrian High School. She is the daughter of Chad and Teresa Wieneke of rural Adrian. Alysha’s family farms north of Adrian and also have Dairy cows, raise youngstock and feed out to finish steers. For seven years she has been a member of 4-H and has been crowned one of Nobles County’s Dairy Princess. Besides assuming the role of Dairy Princess, Ashley is a peer helper, cross country team member, figure skater, manager for track and field, a lifeguard and swim instructor, along with other church based activities and farm life.
“Normally as a Dairy Princess, we appear at numerous parades and events as well as be present at the fair to talk to people about Dairy,” said Alysha. “Last year I was the Junior Dairy Princess. I’m not sure what will happen this year. It is going to be interesting. Normally at the fair I show dairy and sheep. This year, I plan on only taking sheep. The cows are too hard for a short time and that looks like what it’s going to be, or it will be virtual. We have not heard for sure yet.”
“Being a Dairy Princess has really been a great experience. I have gained a lot from going to the different events and talking to people, explaining what dairy is about and how good it is for a person, the health benefits. I can correct misinformation and talk about the importance of dairy in the daily diet through social media, but I don’t get the personal contact. I actually had one child ask me in all seriousness if brown cows gave chocolate milk. My answer to him- “I wish they did!” It was really great to talk to someone so unscarred by life!”
Talking about the serious side of dairy, Ashley explained how COVID-19 affected farm life. Rules like employees only in the barns, no unnecessary trips anywhere, the safety of employees have been implemented. She said, “Listening to my dad, the smaller dairies are going to be hit the hardest. The price of milk in the stores has gone up, but the producers on our end don’t see that, and we can’t do much about it. I hope it will go better, but it will probably stay the same or decline. Smaller dairies may have to get much larger or they won’t be able to make it.”
Deb VanderKooi, the events coordinator for Ashley, said there is a lot more to being a Dairy Princess than riding around in parades. The Dairy Princess is an ambassador for the dairy industry. They prove they are a viable part of the community. These young women travel to parades, are present at the farm and home show, work in the dairy booth at the fair, as well as show their own animals and projects. They answer questions for people, explain the health benefits to dairy-the immunity properties of dairy products as well as a great source of Vitamin D. The proceeds of the malt stand at the Nobles County Fair has provided funds to Adrian High School, Ellsworth High School, to Turkey Day, it goes back into the community. They want to show the community how important dairy is to all of us and show they can have fun with dairy.
At this point Ashley is not exactly sure of what she wants her future to be. She is leaning towards education, but would enjoy being able to help out on the farm when she can. Thank you Ashley for being such an important part of 4-H, Adrian High School and your family business. Once COVID moves a little more into the background of our lives, we hope your year will prove to be beneficial and you are able to go back to working with the public teaching us all of the intricacies of dairy life.
