This summer, Minnesota and Iowa celebrated the future of the dairy industry by crowning their 73rd Dairy Princesses during ceremonies at their state fairgrounds. These young women, chosen for their leadership, communication skills, and passion for dairy, will spend the coming year serving as goodwill ambassadors on behalf of dairy farm families.
Iowa’s Dairy Princess Program
In August, Iowa crowned its 73rd Dairy Princess during a ceremony at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Hannah Hagen, 18, of Waterville, representing Allamakee County, was selected as the 2026–27 Iowa Dairy Princess. The daughter of Erik and Lisa Hagen, Hannah is a freshman at Iowa State University this fall, studying animal science. Like her Minnesota counterpart, she will make public appearances to help consumers better understand the care and commitment dairy farmers put into their cows, land, and milk.
Joining her is Alternate Princess Mae Wedemeier, 18, of Maynard, representing the Iowa Jersey Cattle Club. Wedemeier, daughter of Scott and Catherine Wedemeier, is a freshman at Iowa State University, studying agriculture communications with a minor in leadership studies. Wedemeier was also recognized for outstanding public speaking.
Six candidates competed for Iowa’s crown. Judging was based on essays, interviews, professionalism, public speaking, and dairy advocacy skills. Outgoing Iowa Dairy Princess Kelsey Timp and Alternate Princess Alia Domeyer passed off their duties on September 1.
Minnesota’s Princess Kay of the Milky Way
The 73rd Princess Kay of the Milky Way is Jena Hanson, and she will serve as the Minnesota dairy community’s goodwill ambassador for the next year. Jena grew up in Owatonna, Minnesota, in Steele County. She is the daughter of Steve and Suzie Hanson. She attends the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, majoring in Dairy Science Management. Jena discovered her love for the dairy industry while mentoring on a local dairy farm. She has always loved animals, but was specifically drawn in by how close the dairy community is, inspiring her to pursue a future in the industry. She is involved in the Dairy Club, FFA, and the Newman Center. Although she did not grow up on a dairy farm, Jena enjoys sharing her unique journey into the industry and hopes it encourages others to discover the many opportunities the dairy industry has to offer.
Jena began her reign as Princess Kay after being crowned at the coronation the night before the Minnesota State Fair. Her duties began at the front gate on opening day at 5:00 a.m. Jena and the other finalists had a busy 12 days at the fair, talking with fairgoers, attending the daily milking demonstrations, having conversations in the Moo Booth, attending dairy shows, playing trivia in the Education Area, and participating in Agrilympics. In addition to these events, Jena participated in several media appearances with various radio, TV, and print media sources. Jena along with the other finalists all got their likenesses sculpted in a 90-pound block of butter. Visit here to see this year’s final butter sculptures.
For our 2026 Minnesota State Fair consumer media, there were a total of 1,427 clips related to Princess Kay, All You Can Drink Milk Stand, and the Dairy Goodness Bar. This resulted in a total potential audience reach of 4,403,407,530 consumers.
In September, Jena attended the Le Sueur and Blue Earth County Farm Bureau’s Breakfast on the Farm event and Farmamerica’s Fall Festival. These events gave her an opportunity to connect with attendees and share conversations about the role dairy plays. Throughout her reign, Jena will continue attending various events and doing schools visits representing dairy farmers and sharing the importance of dairy farming and dairy foods across Minnesota.
Together, Jena Hanson, Hannah Hagen, and Mae Wedemeier represent the next generation of dairy advocates as they proudly carry forward a tradition that celebrates not only the wholesome goodness of dairy but also the people and values behind it.
Be sure to follow along with both the Iowa Dairy Princess (Facebook, Instagram) and Princess Kay (Facebook, Instagram) on social media, and if you would like to request a princess at an event, please visit our website.