Decorah High School graduate Brooke Courtney will compete Thursday for the title of Iowa Dairy Princess

Posted: Mon, Aug 3, 2020 11:28 AM

Eight young women from Iowa's dairy community will compete to win the title of "Iowa Dairy Princess" Thursday in Ankeny. A Ridgeway resident is one of the eight.

Brooke Courtney, daughter of Scott and Amy Courtney of Ridgeway, is representing Winneshiek County. Courtney will be attending Iowa State University this fall, where she will be studying occupational therapy. If crowned, Courtney says her role as the Iowa Dairy Princess would allow her to foster her passion for ag and stay connected to the dairy industry.

"Running for Iowa Dairy Princess has been a lifelong dream of mine," says Courtney. "I am passionate about the dairy industry and enthusiastic about telling others about it. Being crowned Iowa Dairy Princess would give me an opportunity to promote the dairy industry, answer questions, and meet new friends too."

The winners will be chosen on the basis of their knowledge and enthusiasm about the dairy industry, as well as their personality and ability to communicate effectively during the judging process, which begins Wednesday. Both the princess and alternate will receive scholarships from Midwest Dairy, which sponsors the contest and princess program on behalf of Iowa's dairy farmers.

The new princess and alternate will begin their duties September 1st. They are charged with helping consumers learn more about dairy products and the farm families who tend the farms and cows that provide them.