Dairy Royalty

To be a dairy princess is to be an ambassador.

“We especially want them to interact with children,” observes Cindy Clayton, board member for the Waseca County Dairy Association. “There are so many misconceptions out there.”

Many young children, when asked where chocolate milk comes from, will answer in all sincerity that it comes from brown cows. Sometimes the calves brought along to dairy events are mistaken for goats.

“We want people to have a stronger understanding of dairy products and what it takes to produce them,” says board member Kirsten Sommers.

This year the Waseca County Dairy Association crowned four princesses who are connected with four different farms around the area. “We don’t make it a contest,” observes Clayton. “This way we have four ambassadors we can send to different events.”  Each princess is committed to serve at at least 8 events across the year. “It gives us a lot more flexibility,” said Clayton.

Three 2023 princesses received their crowns during a ceremony this past Sunday afternoon at The Mill: Katy Eldeen, sponsored by Wiste’s Meat Market of Janesville; McKenna Eichorn, sponsored by Lampert Lumber of Janesville; and Allie Eldeen, sponsored by D&D Digger Enterprises. Not able to be present on Sunday was Maia Bartelt, sponsored by Sommers Brothers Custom Baling. Short biographies of the princesses appear below in alphabetical order.

Maia Bartelt: (Parents, Brad and Crystal Bartelt) I am a senior at Waseca High School. I will be attending South Dakota State University in the fall and studying animal science and veterinary medicine. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a veterinarian. I absolutely love animals and helping them in almost any way.  I want to specialize in large animals, mainly because there is a need for large animal veterinarians and because I understand them the best. I really don’t want to have to deal with rats and guinea pigs, either–although some rats could be considered “large” animals!

I’m very thankful to be able to represent the dairy industry–after all my favorite snack…Ice Cream!...is a dairy product. It’s important that we support all our farmers because we’d be nothing without them. I can’t wait to see what this year brings and the ways we can help promote dairy products and the dairy industry.  

McKenna Eichorn: (Parents: Ken and Julie Eichorn) I am the niece of Terry Groskreutz. I am 19 years old and have two brothers, Mason, 18, and Carter, 16. I grew up and live north of Wells, about a mile from the farm owned by my Grandma Audrey and her late husband, Eugene Groskreutz. This is where my Uncle Terry milks Holstein cows and where I spend a lot of my time. 

I am a 2022 graduate of Maple River High School. I participated in FFA, competitive dance, and was also a track and field manager. I was part of the Festtag Royalty in Minnesota Lake, where I was first runner up and Miss Congeniality in 2021. I am currently attending South Central College in Mankato, majoring in the dental assistance program. With my major in college, I hope to better educate people on how dairy is good for stronger teeth and bones. In my free time, I like to support my brothers in their activities, spend time with friends and family, take my dog Rusty for walks, read books, and spend time on the farm.

Allie Eldeen: (Parents, Jason and Cathy Eldeen) I grew up on a farm outside Waseca; we had cows, cats, and dogs. The farm has been in our family for 147 years. We milk about 65 Holsteins in a tie-stall barn and raise all our young stock. We raise about 700 acres of crops. This is my first year participating as a dairy princess.

I am a junior at Waseca Public Schools. I am involved in volleyball, Youth Service and Leadership Skills. My hobbies include hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and water sports. My future plans are to attend college and study to become a veterinarian technician.

Katy Eldeen: (Parents, John and Cassie Eldeen) I grew up next to my family’s dairy farm, which my dad and uncle operate as partners. I am a volleyball player and serve as manager for the baseball team. I enjoy hunting and fishing. My favorite thing to do on the farm is to feed the calves. I am looking forward to being on of this year’s dairy princesses and going to the various events with the other girls. I am looking forward to sharing my experiences and my love of the dairy industry as we interact with others, and especially with young kids. I want to share how rewarding and  much fun it is to be part of a working dairy.