A SCOOP OF TRADITION
As one of eight dairy princesses in Steele County, Jena Hanson has been busy promoting the dairy industry in Steele County this summer. She now turns her attention to competing in the Princess Kay of the Milky Way competition at the Minnesota State Fair during the week of Aug. 24. Staff photo by Rick Bussler
-Jena Hanson, Princess Kay Finalist
Jena Hanson may have grown up in the city, but that’s not stopping her from competing for the state dairy industry’s biggest title.
The Steele County dairy princess is one of 10 finalists for Princess Kay of the Milky Way. Princess Kay will be crowned on the eve of the Minnesota State Fair Aug. 26.
Hanson, who grew up in Owatonna, has been involved in agriculture, and specifically the dairy industry, for the past several years. During her sophomore year in high school, she became active on the farm. She worked at two dairy operations in the county: Schmity Holsteins near Owatonna and Clover Glen near Claremont.
Currently, she works as an intern for Kashome Holsteins near Medford which has a dairy herd of about 160 Holsteins.
“I help with the milking chores,” she said. “I help with both morning and night milking.”
It’s through the experiences with those dairy operations that she developed a real passion for the dairy industry and now is going to college at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls where she is majoring in dairy science management.
“I’ve always loved animals,” Hanson said. “But I wasn’t sure what it was until I stepped foot in the milking parlor. The cows definitely hooked me.”
While Hanson isn’t exactly sure what she wants to do after college, she is convinced it will have something to do with dairy. “I have a strong passion for dairy nutrition,” she said.
For now, Hanson has her eyes set on becoming Princess Kay, a year-long commitment to promoting the dairy industry throughout the state. She has been practicing with family and friends in recent weeks to prepare herself for judging competition which takes place on Aug. 24. The ceremony where Princess Kay is crowned will be two days later.
“I think I might be driving them crazy,” Hanson said of the practice sessions. “I’ve been working on my facial expressions. This is a whole different experience I have never been part of before.”
In her judging, Hanson plans to focus on the idea that she can be a voice to advocate for dairy products. “I want to be a voice for the small dairy operations because they hold a special spot in my heart,” she said.
Princess Kay judging will be similar to the competition that took place in May when she was picked as one of the 10 finalists. The judging will include a speech, mock media for TV and interview.
In her speech, Hanson stressed farm to table in schools. “I wanted to get across the importance of fresh food. Dairy is vital to have in our diets as it’s a source of calcium,” she said.
“The whole process was nerve wracking, but I’m grateful to have the opportunity,” Hanson said about competing for Princess Kay.
Also, as she has been preparing over the past month, Hanson is making a point to visit each of the 12 remaining dairy operations in Steele County. As of last week, she had already been to four of them. “I want to represent Steele County to the best of my ability. I care about them and I want to be a voice to advocate for them,” she said.
Hanson said dairy is an important part of nutrition. “It’s super beneficial to your diet,” she said. “If we are filling our bodies with good food, we are setting ourselves up for success in the long run.”
Her favorite dairy product is large curd cottage cheese. She placed extra emphasis on the large curd by saying, “I don’t like the small curd.” She found cottage cheese to be a great snack to fuel her energy for tennis, which she was involved in at Owatonna High School.
Asked about what key message she will illustrate in her upcoming judging for Princess Kay, Hanson said: “Dairy farmers care about their cows. It’s their lifeline and passion. Showing support for them is huge.”
Hanson also wants to stress the importance of pursuing your dreams. “This is a career I didn’t expect, but through my perseverance and grit, I knew I would achieve it,” she said, adding if you are determined, anything can be achieved.
No matter if Hanson becomes Princess Kay, she will have her likeness carved out of a 90-pound block of butter during the State Fair.
Other Princess Kay finalists are Kalley Christen of McLeod County; Elizabeth Coudron of Redwood County; Stephanie Dystra of Nobles County; Claudia Frenchick of Meeker County; Morgan Morrow of Benton County; Isabella Schiffler, Jaiden Smith and Daisy Zimmerman of Stearns County and Gracie Sellner of Brown County.