2019-20 Iowa Dairy Princess to be Crowned August 7 at Iowa State Fairgrounds
ANKENY, Iowa – Eight young women involved with the Iowa dairy community will compete to win the title of 66th Iowa State Dairy Princess Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Multi–Media Center of the Cattle Barn at the state fairgrounds in Des Moines. The princess and her alternate are charged with helping consumers learn more about dairy products and the farm families who tend the farms and cows that provide them.
The contestants are:
- Alexis Costello, 20, daughter of Tim and Karen Costello of Cedar Rapids, representing Iowa Holstein Association;
- Tehya Demmer, 18, daughter of Chad and Stacey Demmer of Dundee, representing Delaware County;
- Julie Hammerand, 18, daughter of Jerry and Lois Hammerand, representing Dubuque County;
- Mary Holtz, 17, daughter of Jeff and Lisa Holtz of Maquoketa, representing Iowa Jersey Cattle Club;
- Brianna Lucey, 19, daughter of Marcia Harbaugh of Guttenberg, representing Clayton County;
- Faith Palmer, 17, daughter of John and Meghan Palmer of Waukon, representing Allamakee County;
- Stacia Sexton, 18, daughter of Steve and Ellen Sexton of Decorah, representing Winneshiek County;
- Brylie Volker, 18, daughter of Bill and Shellie Volker of Sumner, representing Fayette County
The winners are chosen on the basis of their knowledge and enthusiasm about dairy, personality and communication ability during judging which begins Tuesday, Aug. 6. Both the princess and alternate will receive scholarships from Midwest Dairy, which sponsors the contest and princess program on behalf of Iowa’s dairy farmers.
The outgoing 2018-19 Iowa Dairy Princess is Jessica Schmitt, daughter of Carl and Terry Schmitt of Fort Atkinson, and the Alternate Princess is Grace Howe, daughter of Shelly Howe and the late Matt Howe of Waukon. Their reigns will be completed at the end of the Iowa State Fair, and the new Princess and Alternate will begin their duties Sept. 1.