Four Local Young Women Competing in Iowa Dairy Princess Contest

Eight young women involved within Iowa’s dairy community are vying to win the title of 71st Iowa Dairy Princess. 

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 coronation ceremony will be held tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Multi-Media Center of the Cattle Barn at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. 

This year’s local contestants include Haley Ronnebaum of Earlville, representing Delaware County; Libby Hageman of New Vienna, representing Dubuque County; Leah Jo Koehler of Monticello, representing Jones County; and Harley Baumler of Fort Atkinson, representing Fayette County.

The winners are chosen based on their knowledge and enthusiasm about dairy, personality and communication ability during judging, which started Tuesday. 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 of Calmar, and the Alternate Princess is Elizabeth Fossum of Waterville. Their reigns will be completed at the end of the month, with the new Princess and Alternate beginning their duties September 1st.

photo courtesy of Midwest Dairy (pictured: 2023-24 Iowa Dairy Princess Ashley Elsbernd (R) and Iowa Dairy Princess Alternate Elizabeth Fossum)