Last year Julia Nunes traded in her rubber boots for heels as she was selected to serve as the 73rd Alice in Dairyland. Earlier this month, Julia began her second term as Alice in Dairyland, which makes her the first Alice to serve two consecutive terms in the program’s history.
Working alongside family, Julia grew up on her family’s 125-cow dairy farm, Scientific Holsteins in Chippewa Falls, Wisc. In addition to helping her family on the dairy, Julia was also very involved in both 4-H and with the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Program. In 2019, she graduated from the University of Minnesota with degrees in animal science and agricultural communication and marketing and minors in both agriculture food business management and horticulture. Beyond the classroom, Julia learned more about the diversity of agriculture through her work experience at a farm market store growing vegetables, making cheese at Redhead Creamery and working on a hemp farm.
The vibrant agriculture ambassador says that being Alice in Dairyland is a title she does not take for granted, stating it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “To explore the diversity of Wisconsin agriculture has allowed me to gain so much experience and knowledge,” she says. “Serving as Alice in Dairyland has allowed me to represent something so much bigger than myself.”
Amid significant challenges stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic, Nunes did not waver and quickly adapted, stepping up her social media presence and making cooking videos with some of her favorite Wisconsin products. Steadfast to passionately get her messages across, Nunes has written more than 100 articles, completed more than 230 TV and radio interviews and has engaged with thousands of people on social media during her first year as Alice.
No matter the platform, Nunes knew the message she wanted to get across during her time as the 73rd Alice in Dairyland. “My biggest takeaway message is that no matter the type or size of a farm, all farmers and processors want to produce the best products they can while caring for their land, animals and resources,” she says.
While Nunes admits that she feels she missed out on some events that former Alice’s did, she states that she had many highlight experiences so far while wearing the Alice in Dairyland tiara. “I have enjoyed meeting some of Wisconsin’s farmers and processors,” Nunes says. “Every farm or agribusiness has a unique story or ‘why’ they love doing what they do.” Additionally, Nunes says that filming the virtual farm tour on her family’s farm and spending that time with her parents is a memory that she will hold close.
The vibrant young woman has enjoyed her first term as Alice in Dairyland and states that her adventure in agriculture has just begun. During her second term, Nunes enthusiastically looks ahead to promote agriculture during June Dairy Month, the Wisconsin State Fair, World Dairy Expo and more. “I look forward to continuing learning from Wisconsin farmers as the 74th Alice in Dairyland,” Nunes adds.
After her time as Alice, Nunes says the possibilities are endless —she can see herself working for an agriculture marketing agency or a cheese company. For now, she will continue promoting Wisconsin agriculture, a role that she has fully embraced.
