ANKENY, Iowa – Meghan Hettinga, a 20-year-old from Orange City, Iowa, was crowned the 67th Iowa Dairy Princess during an afternoon ceremony at the Courtyard by Marriott in Ankeny. Meghan, daughter of Jason and Mary Hettinga, will spend the year serving as a goodwill ambassador for Iowa’s dairy farmers. Throughout her year-long reign, she will make public appearances to connect with consumers and help them understand the dedication of dairy farm families to their cows, their land and the milk they produce.
Meghan represents the Iowa Jersey Cattle Club and is a student at South Dakota State University where she is majoring in dairy production.
Amber Engelken, 18, of Earlville, Iowa, was named Alternate Iowa Dairy Princess. Amber, the daughter of Tom and Cherrie Engelken, will share duties with the princess. She represents the Iowa Holstein Association and will be a freshman at Iowa State University this fall where she will be studying dairy science.
Raegan Kime, 17, was named Miss Congeniality and was also recognized for her performance in the public speaking portion of the contest. She is the daughter of Dann and Annette Kime and represented the Iowa Guernsey Breeders Association.
Eight candidates competed for the Iowa Dairy Princess title, with the judging held August 5 and 6 in Ankeny. The winners were selected based on an application, answers to essay questions, interview skills and ability to advocate for dairy farmers.
The outgoing 2019-20 Iowa Dairy Princess is Julie Hammerand, daughter of Jerry and Lois Hammerand of Sherrill, and the Alternate Princess is Faith Palmer, daughter of John and Meghan Palmer of Waukon. Their reigns will be completed at the end of the month, and the new Princess and Alternate will begin their duties Sept. 1.
Editor’s note: Interview opportunities with the Iowa Dairy Princess and Alternate are available. To make a request, please contact Mariah Busta at (563) 379-8619 or IowaDairyPrincess@gmail.com.