A long-standing Wisconsin tradition took effect this week as Crystal Siemers-Peterman began her role as the state’s 70th Alice in Dairyland.
Siemers-Peterman was awarded the title in a special ceremony at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on May 13. She assumes the position from outgoing Alice in Dairyland, Ann O’Leary.
Last event is in the books! Had a wonderful morning celebrating Wisconsin's $43.4 billion diary industry! pic.twitter.com/6HHDLK2Yls — Alice in Dairyland (@Alice_Dairyland) June 4, 2017
Originally from Cleveland, Wisconsin, Siemers-Peterman’s enthusiasm for Wisconsin agriculture began on her family’s Holstein dairy farm. She has also been an active participant in the Manitowoc County Junior Holstein Association, Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association, and Manitowoc County 4-H.
From pageant winner to plenipotentiary
The Alice in Dairyland program has a long and interesting history. In 1948, its inaugural year, the first candidate, Margaret McGuire Blott, was chosen on the basis of her looks alone, culled from hundreds of photographic submissions collected by the state's centennial commission.
Things are different today. Since its inception, the position has evolved from a pageant to a search for the most qualified marketing and public relations professional to represent Wisconsin’s agricultural community. In fact, a modern Alice can expect to travel 40,000 miles over the course of a year, and she'll speak at roughly 400 events, including the Wisconsin State Fair.
Among her qualifications, Siemers-Peterman boasts a major in agricultural and food business management with a minor in marketing at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Her background makes her well-qualified to serve as agricultural ambassador of the state, working to educate audiences across Wisconsin about the state’s diverse agriculture industry.
A portion of her efforts will be dedicated to dairy, an industry which makes up the largest segment of Wisconsin’s $88.3 billion-dollar agricultural revenue, contributing $43.4 billion dollars annually. In her role, Siemers-Peterman will work with representatives from the Wisconsin Dairy Council, the nutritional education arm of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB), to educate Wisconsin residents of all ages about the role dairy products play in a healthy diet.
It’s a role for which Siemers-Peterman cares deeply.
"When you are passionate about something, the way I am about Wisconsin agriculture, it is exciting to share your enthusiasm with everyone you meet," said Siemers-Peterman. "With my deep roots in the dairy community, I am proud to share the story of Wisconsin’s family farms with the citizens of our state as the 70th Alice in Dairyland."
You can follow Alice in Dairyland's year-long adventures on Instagram and Twitter.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
