What the Alice in Dairyland Finals Are
Alice in Dairyland is Wisconsin's agricultural ambassador: a one-year, full-time communications professional for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) who educates the public about Wisconsin agriculture. Each May a new Alice is chosen through a public job interview process, and the finals are where it happens. A different county hosts every year. Marathon County hosted the 79th finals May 14 to 16, 2026, with the announcement in Wausau on May 16.
The program began in 1948, when the first selection was part of the Centennial Exposition at the Wisconsin State Fair. It started as a beauty pageant and has since become a professional public relations role.
How Someone Becomes Alice
- Apply. Applications open in January. Applicants send DATCP a resume, cover letter, references and an application form. Qualified applicants need considerable knowledge of or work experience in Wisconsin agriculture, experience in communications, marketing, education or public relations, public speaking experience, and experience running public relations, marketing or media campaigns.
- Interview. Individual interviews at DATCP narrow the field to up to six finalists.
- March. The finalists attend training and professional development seminars at DATCP, get assignments due before the finals and are announced at a press conference in the host county. A two-day briefing event is held several weeks before the finals.
- May finals. A three-day, partly public final interview is held in the host county. A three-member panel scores TV and radio interviews, speeches, writing samples, public interactions and agricultural knowledge. The winner is chosen on total scores.
The 2026 Finals: Schedule
Six finalists competed: Faith Baerwolf, Kelly Herness, Gabrielle Huitema, Jessica Moor, Anastasia Poull and Michelle Stangler. The three days included press conferences, agribusiness tours, media interviews and speeches, with some events open to the public.
| Day | Event | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 15, 5 to 7 p.m. | Wisconsin Products Showcase | Rib River by Accentu, Marathon City |
| Friday, May 15, 7 to 9 p.m. | Alice in Dairyland Top Candidate Forum | Rib River by Accentu, Marathon City |
| Saturday, May 16 | Reception and social hour, finale banquet and main finale program | Hilton Garden Inn-Wausau, Wausau |
| Saturday, May 16, 8:30 p.m. | Announcement of the 79th Alice in Dairyland, then a media session with the new ambassador | Hilton Garden Inn-Wausau, Wausau |
The winner started as DATCP's full-time marketing and communications professional on July 6, 2026. Media must pre-register to attend, photograph or record the activities.
Who Can Attend
The public may attend two evening events, including the announcement of the new Alice. The host county's local businesses and products are showcased at the public events, and the host-county planning committee takes volunteers and donations.
Next Edition
The 80th Alice in Dairyland Finals are set for Milwaukee County on May 13 to 15, 2027, with a County Showcase and Q and A sessions on Friday, May 14 and the banquet and finale program on Saturday, May 15, when the 80th Alice will be revealed. Ticket details are still to come. Milwaukee County held the first selection in 1948 and has not hosted since 1964.
Questions
Is this a pageant?
No. It is a job interview for a communications position, scored on interviews, speeches, writing, public interaction and agricultural knowledge.
Who do I call?
DATCP, which runs the program, can be reached at 608-224-5012. Finals program information is at aliceindairyland.com.
Official Links
- Marathon County to host 2026 Alice in Dairyland Finals (DATCP)
- 2026 finals events and finalists
- Becoming Alice in Dairyland
- History of Alice in Dairyland
- Alice in Dairyland finals host page
- Marathon County to host 79th Alice finals
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Wisconsin State Fair
The Wisconsin State Fair ran August 6-16, 2026 at State Fair Park in West Allis, the state's flagship fair with youth and open livestock shows, dairy exhibits and cream puffs.
- All for One Livestock Shows at the Wisconsin State Fair
Swine and goat shows for exhibitors with disabilities ages 8-21 during the State Fair, with a swine show on Thursday and a goat show on Saturday. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 6 and 8, 2026.
- Harvest Fair at State Fair Park
The Harvest Fair returned October 2-4, 2026 to Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, bringing fall farm-market goods and harvest-season entertainment to Milwaukee County.
West Allis, WI Official event details - Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting and YFA Conference
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau annual meeting, where county delegates vote on policy, combined with the Young Farmer and Agriculturist Conference. Next edition December 4-7, 2026 at Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells.
- Wisconsin Farmers Union Annual State Convention
The Wisconsin Farmers Union state convention, with policy sessions and a Friday evening Farmers Union Camp fundraiser. Next edition December 11-13, 2026 in Appleton; the 95th convention was held December 12-14, 2025.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.