Six young women involved within Iowa’s dairy community will compete for the title of 73rd Iowa Dairy Princess. The coronation ceremony will be held Wednesday, August 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Multi-Media Center of the Cattle Barn at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. The Iowa Dairy Princess and Alternate serve as year-long spokespersons for Iowa’s dairy community, attending events across the state to connect with consumers and promote dairy.
During the two-day contest, which kicks off Tuesday, August 11, contestants will be judged on their communication skills, professionalism, knowledge and enthusiasm about dairy. The experience also provides valuable networking and leadership development along with scholarship opportunities from Midwest Dairy, which sponsors the contest and princess program on behalf of Iowa’s dairy farmers.
Meet the 2026 Iowa Dairy Princess Contestants:
- Hannah Hagen, 18, daughter of Erik and Lisa Hagen of Waterville, representing Allamakee County;
- Mackenzie Simon, 16, daughter of Duke and Nikki Simon of Dubuque, representing Dubuque County;
- Emma Streif, 18, daughter of Dave and Marcia Streif of Maynard, representing Fayette County;
- Lindsay Taplin, 19, daughter of Barry and Kathleen Taplin of Sumner, representing Fayette County;
- Mae Wedemeier, 18, daughter of Scott and Catherine Wedemeier, representing the Iowa Jersey Cattle Club;
- Hanna Vagts, 18, daughter of Derrick and Sara Vagts of West Union, representing Winneshiek County.
The outgoing 2025-26 Iowa Dairy Princess is Kelsey Timp, daughter of Brett and Robin Timp of Ossian, and the Alternate Princess is Alia Domeyer, daughter of Dewey and Jeannie Domeyer of Delhi. Their reigns will be completed at the end of August, and the new Princess and Alternate will begin their duties September 1. For more information about the Iowa Dairy Princess Program, visit MidwestDairy.com.