Eight candidates pursue title of 71st Iowa Dairy Princess

Posted: July 18, 2024 at 1:46 pm

ANKENY, Iowa – Eight young women involved within Iowa’s dairy community will compete to win the title of 71st Iowa Dairy Princess. The coronation ceremony will be held Wednesday, August 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Multi-Media Center of the Cattle Barn at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. The Iowa Dairy Princess and Alternate connect with consumers and help them understand the dedication of dairy farm families to their cows, their land and the milk they produce.

The contestants are:

• Harley Baumler, 20, daughter of Mike and Amy Baumler of Fort Atkinson, representing Fayette County;

• Kiele Eberling, 17, daughter of Kevin and Donna Eberling of Postville, representing the Iowa Brown Swiss Association;

• Kendra Elsbernd, 18, daughter of Peter and Kristi Elsbernd of Calmar, representing Winneshiek County;

• Libby Hageman, 17, daughter of Bob and Amy Hageman of New Vienna, representing Dubuque County;

• Oliva Johnson, 17, daughter of Allen and Tanya Johnson of Elma, representing Howard County;

• Leah Jo Koehler, 17, daughter of Ted and Karla Koehler of Monticello, representing Jones County;

• Mallory Mohn, 18, daughter of Clint and Noelle Mohn of Lansing, representing Allamakee County; and

• Haley Ronnebaum, 18, daughter of Mitch and Jenny Ronnebaum of Earlville, representing Delaware County.

The winners are chosen based on their knowledge and enthusiasm about dairy, personality and communication ability during judging which begins Tuesday, August 6. Candidates, along with 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 outgoing 2023-24 Iowa Dairy Princess is Ashley Elsbernd, daughter of Peter and Kristi Elsbernd of Calmar, and the Alternate Princess is Elizabeth Fossum, daughter of Kevin and Julie Fossum of Waterville. Their reigns will be completed at the end of the month, and the new Princess and Alternate will begin their duties September 1.