Seizing Opportunities in Agriculture – Meet Wisconsin’s New Dairy Alice | WTAQ News Talk

Halei Heinzel, 77th Alice in Dairyland of Wisconsin, began her one-year term on July 8, 2024.

My journey in agriculture has led me to seize every opportunity and take every open door, from species to specialty crops.

Growing up in Oconomowoc, far from a farm, I felt disconnected from my food and

Wisconsin farmers work hard to produce. It wasn’t until I joined my high school FFA chapter that I got my first taste of Wisconsin agriculture—literally—when I milked a cow for the first time. Six years later, I continue to take every opportunity to learn more about the diversity of Wisconsin’s agriculture sector.

This newfound love of agriculture led me to college, first at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, to pursue a bachelor’s degree in dairy and equine sciences, with dreams of becoming a large animal veterinarian. However, when the pandemic shook the world, I had to rethink my plans. But as they say, “when one door closes, another opens,” and I soon found myself enrolled in the Farm and Industry Short Course (FISC) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After graduating from FISC in March 2021, I decided to pursue my bachelor’s degree at UW-Madison, where I graduated in May 2024 with a degree in life science communication.

The summer before starting at UW-Madison, I had the incredible opportunity to work for the Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Promotion Board at Dairy Lane, caring for and milking the demonstration herd and educating fairgoers about our state’s impressive $45.6 billion dairy industry. It was through this opportunity that I first met Alice at Dairyland. Working alongside her, I saw firsthand how she connects with consumers and shares the impact of our $104.8 billion agricultural industry. This experience sparked my passion for agriculture education and advocacy.

While at UW-Madison, I was fortunate to participate in a variety of agricultural opportunities, including internships with the Farm and Industry Short Course and Professional Dairy Producers. I was also involved in my campus community through student organizations such as the Babcock House Student Cooperative, Wisconsin Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Association, Science Communication Club, and Polo Club. Now, as the 77th Alice in Dairyland, I am excited to have the opportunity to bridge the gap between producers and consumers, encouraging others like me to embrace every opportunity available to them.

Thank you to the farmers and agronomists of Wisconsin for taking me under their wing and providing me with countless opportunities to grow in agriculture. I look forward to what this year holds for me as the 77th Alice in Dairyland.

Halei worked at Dairy Lane at the Wisconsin State Fair, where she fell even more in love with farming. It was through this role that she had her first interactions with an Alice in Dairyland. From left, Halei Heinzel, 77th Alice in Dairyland, comedian Charlie Berens and Taylor Schaefer, 75th Alice in Dairyland.