Dairy group crowns 7 women as princesses
This year’s dairy princesses for Steele County include, from left: Chloe Garten, Ali Slater, Samantha Fredin and Isabella Schultz. Three of the princesses were unable to attend, but they are represented by the bags being held: Ana Cox, Madison Homuth and Madi Murphy. They were crowned at the annual dairy banquet Saturday afternoon in Owatonna. Staff photo by Rick Bussler
Steele County’s dairy industry will be represented by seven young women for the coming year after being crowned Saturday in Owatonna.
This year’s dairy princesses are Anna Cox, Samantha Fredin, Chloe Garten, Madison Homuth, Madi Murphy, Isabella Schultz and Ali Slater. All but Schultz and Garten have served as princesses in the past.
The crowning took place Saturday afternoon during the 72nd annual banquet of the Steele County American Dairy Association held at Torey’s Restaurant in Owatonna.
Cox, 18, is a freshman at Harding University where she is seeking a degree in business management. During her high school days in Owatonna, she was involved in cross country, FFA and National Honor Society. She is still involved in 4-H. She also continues her involvement in the dairy industry at Nelsonway, showing and helping with chores. She is the daughter of Andy and Lindsay Cox of Owatonna.
It will be the fifth year for Fredin, 23, to serve as a dairy princess. After graduating from Iowa State University with two bachelor’s degrees, she is currently attending the University of Minnesota for her master’s degree. At the U of M, she is in the Animal Science Graduate Club, the Daily Journal Club and serves as a tutor and teaching assistant. She feeds the young stock at Stranshome and is on call for other chores. She is the daughter of Julie Evers and Scott Fredin of Owatonna.
New to the group this year is Garten, 18, a senior at Owatonna High School. Garten has been a hockey manager, active in 4-H and takes AP level classes. Her favorite accomplishment is being accepted into a college nursing program. She works at Nelsonway dairy farm where she assists with cattle chores and prepares for the showing season. She plans to attend college for pediatric nursing. She is the daughter of Joel Garten and Denise and Tim Nelson of Owatonna.
Another new princess this year is Schultz, 17, also a senior at OHS. She is involved in cross country, track, student council, DECA, National Honor Society, concert choir, marching band and Owatonna Carolers. One of her greatest accomplishments is becoming captains for the cross country and track teams. She is involved in 4-H and works with Nelsonway dairy. Her goal is to become a licensed occupational therapist. She is the daughter of Grant and Julie Schultz of Owatonna.
Homuth, 19, is a freshman at Saint Mary’s University in Winona where she is studying to become a nurse. She belongs to the Green Bandanna Group and is part of the Student Activities committee. She works at Schmity Holsteins where she assists with chores and getting animals ready for show. She also works at Whispering Oaks. She is the daughter of Jon and Casey Homuth.
Murphy, 18, is a freshman at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She participates in showing livestock through 4-H and Open Class. She lives on the family’s dairy farm where they currently milk 200 cows. She is the proud owner of her own herd of 12 Jerseys. She also works at Kid’s Korner Educare and Bubbles & Blocks in Lincoln. Her future plans are to get a degree in elementary education. She is the daughter of Kim and Jon Schmidt.
Also returning this year is Slater, 18, who is a freshman at Rochester Community Technical College in the vet tech program. Her favorite accomplishment is attaining Intermediate Champion Female at the District Show with her cow, Saige. Her farm is a Century Farm which has been in the family since 1884. She plans to become a vet tech after college. She is the daughter of Chris and Andrea Slater.
The seven princesses will represent the dairy industry at various events around Steele County throughout the spring and summer.
Fredin plans to run for Princess Kay of the Milky Way, which is the statewide competition for the dairy industry. Judging for Princess Kay takes place next month.
This year’s junior dairy ambassadors (4th-11th grade) include: Chase, Claira, Eliza and Penelope Balzer, Emerson and Jada Braund, Ava Cox, Isaac Demmer, Emma and Kortney Dempsey, Evan and Lukas Halla, Mackenzie and Olivia Jacobsen, Liam Linge, Andy and Cali Nelson, Armand Orfei, Adi, August and Weston Schroht, Colin Schultz and Allison, Cameron and Jayden Wencl.
The Dukes and Duchesses (K-3) are Rory Bailey, Emma Dobberstein, Breanna Dulas, Ethan Demmer, Lucy and Milo Kasper, Khyson and Liam Ostrander and Devon and Sawyer Sanford.
Several awards were presented during the annual banquet. Jay and Jamie Klemmensen of Blooming Prairie received Milk Pitcher Award while Steele County 4-H received the Youth Development Award and Jon Schmidt was awarded the Pull Together Award.
The scholarship award of $500 went to Schultz.
The top dairy herds in Steele County operated by Schmitty Farms of Owatonna and Kashome Farms of Medford received special production awards.
Jon Schmidt of Owatonna is the chairman of the ADA Board while Casey Nelson of Ellendale serves as vice chair.
This year’s Breakfast on the Farm will be at the Rick Balzer farm located east of Medford on June 7. Bus transportation will be provided from both the Steele County Fairgrounds and Medford High School.