News

Six finalists named for next Alice in Dairyland

The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection has narrowed the applicants down to Grande Cheese Company food scientist Allison Foster of Waupun; ag journalist Michelle Stangler of Watertown; farmer, educator, and cross-country coach Mikayla Flyte from Coloma; farmer and social media coordinator Natalie Roe of Monticello; livestock producer and ag educator for the Viroqua school district Olivia Lulich of Lyndon Station;and dairy farmer and college senior Sarah Hagenow from Poynette.

The Alice in Dairyland finals will be hosted this year by Crawford County, with the 78^th Alice in Dairyland being selected May 17, 2025, at the Performing Arts Center in Prairie du Chien.  The new Alice will succeed Halei Heinzel, starting her term on July 7, 2025.

It is possible the Alice in Dairyland program could make history. If Sarah Hagenow succeeds in her bid to become Alice in Dairyland, it would be the first time two sisters held the position. Ashley Hagenow was the 76th Alice.

Biographies below are supplied by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection:

Allison Foster, Waupun, is an enthusiastic food scientist with a passion for sharing the story of agriculture and food with others. Foster is a Scientist II at Grande Cheese Company where she works to improve cheesemaking processes and create new products. She holds a Bachelor of Science in dairy science from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where she gained experience in research and communications. In addition to her work, Foster coordinates care package services for Operation Not Alone and manages her own Jersey cow herd. Foster combines her technical expertise with strong communication skills to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers.

Michelle Stangler, Watertown, grew up on her family’s dairy farm and was active in 4-H and FFA. She earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism and agricultural marketing communications in May 2024 from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where she held leadership roles in Collegiate Farm Bureau and other agricultural communication organizations. Stangler completed internships with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, Mid-West Farm Report, Brownfield Ag News, and WEAU 13 News; served as the 2024 Dodge County Fairest of the Fair; and studied abroad in Europe. She now contributes to the Ag News Daily and Positivity in Ag podcasts.

Mikayla Flyte, Coloma, is completing a master’s degree in exercise science with a concentration in sport psychology from Ripon College. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in English and education from Ripon College in spring 2024 after student teaching at Berlin Middle School and Laconia High School. Flyte competed for five years on the college’s cross country team and is now a graduate assistant coach. She is active in her family’s central Wisconsin fruit and vegetable farm, managing an ice cream truck, selling produce at the Dane County Farmer’s market, and assisting with retail, marketing, and agritourism events.

Natalie Roe, Monticello, grew up on a 5,000-acre cash crop farm with a commercial grain elevator. Roe graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in December 2024 with bachelor’s degrees in dairy science and life sciences communication and a certificate in digital studies. After holding many summer internships in agriculture and communications roles, Roe now works full time with broadhead as a social media coordinator. In this role, Roe combines her love of agriculture and communications, getting to use her creativity and strategic thinking to help her agriculture clients achieve success on their respective social media platforms.

Olivia Lulich, Lyndon Station, currently teaches agricultural education at Viroqua Area Schools. She graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture education, holding leadership roles in Block and Bridle, National Agri-Marketing Association, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Ambassadors, and the International Sales Team while there. As a 4-H and FFA member, she owned, raised, and showed beef cattle and market lambs. She has interned with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, the National Western Stock Show, and DATCP. Today, Lulich Show Stock, co-owned with her brother, sells beef cattle throughout the Midwest.

Sarah Hagenow, Poynette, feels at home in Wisconsin’s agricultural industry and enjoys telling the stories of its hard-working people. She is a senior at the University of Minnesota and will graduate with a degree in agricultural and food business management and a minor in international agriculture. Hagenow’s youth was characterized by involvement in 4-H and FFA, which spurred her to join the Gopher Dairy Club, Agricultural Business Club, Agricultural Mentor Program, and the dairy cattle judging team at college. Hagenow has held internships with Heatherstone Enterprises, Viking Dairy Company, the Minnesota State Senate, and the Animal Agriculture Alliance.