Release Date: May 19, 2018
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Media Contacts: Rick Hummell, 608-224-5041 richard.hummell@wi.gov
or Bill Cosh,
Communications Director, 608-224-5020 William2.Cosh@wi.gov
ADAMS – Kaitlyn Riley has been chosen
as Wisconsin’s 71st Alice in Dairyland. As Alice, Riley will work as a communications
professional for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer
Protection. Her job will be to educate the public about the importance of
agriculture in Wisconsin.
Riley, from Gays Mills, learned first-hand the passion and work
ethic of Wisconsin farmers growing up on her family’s registered Jersey dairy
farm. Wanting to share agriculture’s story, she studied strategic
communications and broadcast journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
In college, she held officer positions with the Association of Women in
Agriculture and Badger Dairy Club. She also founded the university’s first
agricultural radio talk show, AgChat. After graduating with honors in May, 2014
Riley served as the 48th Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs.
Professionally, she worked as the farm news director at WPRE-WQPC Radio in
Prairie du Chien and as a multimedia journalist with WQOW News 18 in Eau
Claire.
In May, 2017 she returned to the family farm where she manages
calf and heifer care. She continues sharing the stories of agriculture by
freelance writing for Hoard’s Dairyman, and she volunteers with agricultural
organizations such as the Crawford County Dairy Promoters, Crawford County
Livestock Camp Committee, and Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.
“As Alice in Dairyland, I will give a positive voice to
Wisconsin’s diverse agriculture industry,” said Riley. “Through my travels, I
will learn from the many faces of agriculture to better educate urban and rural
audiences about the importance of Wisconsin food, fuel and fiber production in
our daily lives.”
Riley
was selected at the culmination of three days of final interview events in Adams
County. The events included agribusiness tours, speeches, a public
question-and-answer session and media interviews. The other candidates were: Kristen
Broege, Janesville; Sydney Endres, Lodi; Alexus Grossbier, Elk Mound; Jacqueline
Hilliard, Wisconsin Dells; and Megan Schulte, Hammond.
Riley will
start working as Alice on June 4. She succeeds 70th Alice in Dairyland Crystal
Siemers-Peterman of Cleveland. As Alice, Riley will travel about 40,000 miles
speaking at events and giving media interviews. She will present lessons in
more than 100 Wisconsin classrooms in partnership with the Dairy Farmers of
Wisconsin.
A number
of other Wisconsin organizations contribute to make Alice in Dairyland visible
and recognizable to the public. For example, Riley will wear a custom mink
garment to promote Wisconsin’s fur industry, and she’ll drive an E-85 flex-fuel
Ford Explorer to promote the state’s ethanol industry. While working, Riley
will wear a 14-carat gold and platinum brooch or tiara, both of which feature
amethysts and citrines, gems indigenous to Wisconsin.
To schedule
the 71st Alice in Dairyland for an event or classroom visit, contact Program
Manager Ti Gauger at 608-224-5115 or Ti.Gauger@wisconsin.gov. Follow Alice online at facebook.com/DATCPAliceInDairyland or twitter.com/Alice_Dairyland.
To
download a photo of Kaitlyn Riley, click here: Riley.
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