DAIRYLICIOUS

Perhaps it is her bubbly personality or her incredible knowledge of the dairy industry. Or just maybe it was that butter yellow formal dress that made her stand out.

Whatever it was, Jena Hanson rose to the top of nine other women to be crowned as Minnesota’s 73^rd Princess Kay of the Milky Way Aug. 26 at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights. Hanson is the first Princess Kay from Steele County since 2008.

“I’m so proud to be representing the dairy industry and I’m grateful for the opportunity,” said Hanson just moments after being crowned.

Joining Hanson in the dairy court were Isabella Schiffler of Albany and Jaiden Smith of Melrose as they were selected as runners-up. Both represent Stearns County. There were 10 finalists for Princess Kay.

Hanson’s ascend to the top ambassador of the state’s dairy industry is anything but typical. Unlike most other Princess Kays over the 73 years of history in Minnesota, Hanson did not grow up on a dairy farm. She grew up in Owatonna and only became acquainted with the dairy life in recent years.

Hanson, 20, became active on the farm during her sophomore year of high school. For her it has been full throttle ahead ever since she joined Jon Schmidt of Schmity Holsteins south of Owatonna for a mentorship. She later worked with Clover Glen Dairy Farm near Claremont and currently is an intern with Kashome Holsteins by Medford.

“I didn’t think I could do it without growing up on a farm,” Hanson admitted. “It’s something I didn’t grow up with but it’s something I found a passion for over the years.”

Schmidt, who attended last week’s crowning ceremony, admitted he was a little surprised to see Hanson become Princess Kay, especially with her not growing up on a farm or being in 4-H. “She really got into it,” Schmidt said. “It’s amazing how someone from town wants to be involved with dairy. She is from the outside looking in. She took a different path and found it later in life.”

Hanson credits Dawn Kasper of Kashome Holsteins with pushing her to become a county dairy princess, which she did earlier this year. From that experience, Hanson immersed herself in learning more about Princess Kay.

Asked what she feels propelled her to Princess Kay, Hanson said: “My love for the dairy industry and all the support I’ve gotten over the past few years. I’m beyond grateful. I don’t know if I can sleep.”

After being crowned Princess Kay around 9 p.m. Wednesday, Hanson returned to the State Fairgrounds by 5 a.m. the next morning to begin her official reign with various media interviews. She also spent about six hours over two days getting her likeness carved out of a 90-pound block of butter in the Dairy Building by Minnesota native artist Gerry Kulzer.

She plans to donate her butterhead to the Owatonna Knights of Columbus for an upcoming pancake breakfast benefiting St. Mary’s School. “I’m really grateful to be able to give back to the community,” Hanson said.

Midwest Dairy, which sponsors the iconic Princess Kay competition, is also keeping Hanson busy throughout the entire fair with appearances at dairy shows, dairy barns and milking rituals. Princess Kay was a name selected in a Department of Agriculture contest nearly 60 years ago.

For the next year, Hanson will serve as the goodwill ambassador for Minnesota’s 1,500 dairy farmers by traveling all over the state. She will make public appearances to help connect consumers to dairy farm families. She will work to bring dairy to life through conversations, classroom visits and various speaking engagements about the nutritional benefits of dairy and dairy farmers’ continual commitment to environmental sustainability.

Rising to the top of the dairy industry has given Hanson a new perspective on life.

“My biggest message to others is that no matter how wild your dream is, go for it,” she said. “I was dedicated and showed my grit through it. I want girls to shoot for the stars.”

She is the daughter of Steve and Suzie Hanson of Owatonna and attends the University of Wisconsin- River Falls where she is majoring in dairy science.

Hanson is the fourth woman from Steele County to become Princess Kay since the program started in 1954. Others include Kathy Zeman in 1976, Kari Schroht Reuvers in 1978 and Kristy Mussman in 2008.

And as for that yellow formal dress, Hanson credited Amy Fox of Owatonna for getting her outfitted with it. “When I saw it was butter yellow, I went for it,” she said, noting it was only the most appropriate thing to do for a title like Princess Kay of the Milky Way.