Trading Princess Kay Crown to Serve in Another Role
Wearing the crown and title of Princess Kay of the Milky Way has been a dream for Anna Euerle ever since she was little. Euerle followed around her two older sisters to county dairy princesses’ events and even snuck a ride on a parade float from time to time.
“My oldest sister was a runner-up to Princess Kay when I was just two years old, so I'm certainly not the first butterhead in the family,” she says. “I knew it was something I wanted to pursue, but as I got into high school that's when my passion for the dairy community really started to bloom.”
Princess Kay serves as a goodwill ambassador for Minnesota’s dairy farmers, a name selected in a Department of Agriculture contest nearly sixty years ago. To run for Princess Kay, candidates must be a county dairy princess and then ten young women are selected to continue moving forward with the competition. In August, before the Minnesota State Fair opening, the winner is announced.
Support Staff
Euerle, who hails from Meeker County, saw the Princess Kay program as a unique way to share stories about her farm, but also a way to bring attention to what she considers the 'support staff' of the dairy community. That being the milk haulers, veterinarians, and nutritionists, and how they play a very important role in the scope of farms on a daily basis.
Born and raised on her family’s 80-cow dairy in Litchfield, like most farm kids, Euerle had several hands-on responsibilities, alongside her siblings.
“I milked cows, took care of calves, assisted with fieldwork and helped with other odds and ends that needed to be done,” she shares. “I am the third generation to help on the farm, and I wouldn't trade it for the world, it has truly shaped me into the woman I am today.”
A Food Science and Technology major at the University of Wisconsin—River Falls, Euerle inspires to become a milk inspector for the state of Minnesota after graduation next year.
“This would allow me to continue to serve the dairy community while also ensuring consumers that milk from our farms is produced in a safe and healthy environment,” she says.
Most Rewarding Memory
The 20-year-old says that the most rewarding moment while serving in this role has been seeing all the younger girls who look up to her and the title she holds as Princess Kay.
“I've met some girls who actually have shirts that say, ‘future Princess Kay’ on them,” she says. “I think that really goes to show how impactful the program is all the way down to some of the youngest women in the dairy community.”
Another moment that has a special place in Euerle’s heart occurred earlier this summer, while attending the Morrison County Fair. She was handpicked by the judge to help him judge one of the biggest divisions of showmanship.
“I was really touched by this gesture and had a lot of fun helping out,” she says.
Future Advice
Euerle has had an amazing time serving as Princess Kay and appreciates all the support she has been given over the last year.
“I appreciate the encouragement, interaction, and smiles I have gotten over this year,” she says. “I cannot thank my family, friends, and all of the dairy farmers in Minnesota enough.”
The 68th Princess Kay advice to future princesses is to make the experience your own and think about why you wanted to become Princess Kay.
“That reason will fuel you as you write speeches, have conversations, and prepare for all of your events,” Euerle says. “Even though the schedule can be hectic at times, take a period of time to look through pictures of events and reflect on the memories you made so far. It's also okay to not have a set plan for your butter sculpture, only ten of them are made each year, it's okay if you want to savor it for a few months.”
