By Deb Kroon
Review Staff Writer
On December 8, Hannah Kruse, a senior at Adrian High School and the daughter of Kory and Michele Kruse, went from serving as a local beef ambassador for Rock County to being crowned Miss Minnesota Hereford. For two years Hannah had served as an ambassador for the Rock/Nobles Beef Producers along with Lexi Slater (Nobles County Ambassador). These two young women worked hard at promoting the beef industry at every parade or event they attended. A lot of ambassadors and local queens ride in convertibles, hair done and in a nice dress for a parade. That’s not Hannah! During Luverne’s 150th anniversary parade, Hannah walked the parade route beside one of her Herefords. “I wanted to give people a chance to look at my steer,” she explained. “Some people have never seen a Hereford up close. I wanted them to experience that. It was fun!”
Hannah has spent many years working with animals through 4-H and at home. She showed her first Hereford as a third grader. “I’ve always loved Herefords,” she said. “They are what my dad raises. The Hereford is an easy going animal. The steer I walked through the parade doesn’t get upset at all. He doesn’t seem to mind the people and noise. He’s pretty mellow.”
Hannah’s involvement with 4-H has led her to become involved in the junior State Hereford Association, where she has served in several officer positions and is the secretary for the youth group. “I like meeting new people and talking about Herefords, but I love working with the animals most of all.” Hannah’s responsibilities at home include selecting the genetics for the Herefords they raise. “We keep a bull whose genetics we like for about 2-3 years,” she explained. “By selecting the genetics we want in our animals, it gives us a better animal.”
Hannah was crowned Miss MN Hereford at the annual meeting of the MN Hereford Assoc. “I’ve worked with Hannah for the last couple of years,” said Kurt Elbers, association president in 2017 and 2018. “She is an awesome beef ambassador, going above and beyond what she needs to do.” She had to go through an interview as part of the process of being selected. Elbers was not at all surprised that Hannah was awarded this honor.
“As Miss MN Hereford I will be traveling around the state going to events to hand out ribbons and to take pictures, all to promote Herefords and cattle in general,” Hannah said of her duties as Queen. “I’ve talked to past queens, who are encouraging me to try for the title of National Miss Hereford. It would give me a lot of experiences I otherwise wouldn’t have, and I think I’d learn a lot about the business side of cattle, but with just starting college, I’m not sure. There would be a lot of responsibilities with the title, and there is a lot to being a college freshman. I’m not sure it’s what I want.” Hannah is planning on attending Iowa State University in Ames, IA in the fall for pre-vet. “ I am looking forward to college. If veterinary school doesn’t work out for me, I am going to see what sparks my interest. Whatever it is, I will definitely stay with the beef industry, there are many ways to go forward.”
