78th competition announces six finalists
(From left to right) Michelle Stangler, Natalie Roe, Olivia Lulich, the current Alice in Dairyland Halei Heinzel, Sara Hagenow, Allison Foster and Mikayla Flyte pose for the media after the announcement of the six finalists for the 78th Alice in Dairyland, which will take place in Crawford County between May 15 and 17. (Steve Van Kooten/Courier Press)
By Steve Van Kooten
Six women have advanced to the finals of the 78th Alice in Dairyland competition. The candidates were announced by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) on March 7 at the Crawford County Administration Building in Prairie du Chien.
“This group of top candidates is about to take part in what is said to be the hardest job interview ever, and we will be lucky to have one of them as the 78th Alice in Dairyland. Once elected, she will make over 400 appearances and log over 40,000 miles on the road promoting all of Wisconsin agriculture,” Halei Heinzel, the 77th Alice in Dairyland, said.
The six finalists are Mikayla Flyte of Coloma, Allison Foster of Waupun, Sara Hagenow of Poynette, Olivia Lulich of Lyndon Station, Natalie Roe of Monticello and Michelle Stangler of Watertown.
Flyte is pursuing a master’s degree in exercise science with a concentration in sport psychology from Ripon College, where she earned a degree in English and education in 2024. She is active in her family’s fruit and vegetable farm, managing an ice cream truck and selling produce.
Allison Foster is a food scientist at Grande Cheese Company. She holds a bachelor’s degree in dairy science from UW-Platteville. She also manages a herd of 24 Jersey cows.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and this is my chance to jump, so I chose to do it. I think I bring a unique point of view to the position,” Foster said. “I’m a dairy girl through and through, but I am excited to learn about the other commodities that Wisconsin has to offer and bring a scientific point of view to that as well.”
Michelle Stangler obtained a bachelor’s degree in journalism and agricultural marketing communications from UW-River Falls, where she also held leadership roles in the Collegiate Farm Bureau. She also served as the 2024 Dodge County Fairest of the Fair.
“I really enjoy connections, and I really appreciate Wisconsin agriculture wherever I go,” she said. “While I’ve had so many unique opportunities, I’ve been preparing for this role as I think about ways to serve agriculture and really connect with different people.”
Natalie Roe graduated from UW-Madison with bachelor’s degrees in dairy science and life sciences communication. She also earned a certificate in digital studies. After completing several internships in agriculture and communication, she took a position as a social media coordinator.
Olivia Lulich teaches agricultural education in Viroqua. She earned a degree in agriculture education and held multiple leadership roles in agricultural organizations while in college. She is the co-owner of Lulich Show Stock, which sells beef cattle throughout the Midwest.
“Being an agriculture teacher, the education piece has really drawn me in — sharing that agriculture story with the community while also educating people who may not know where their food comes from is what really drew me to the position,” she said.
Sara Hagenow is a senior at the University of Minnesota pursuing a degree in agriculture and food business management. She has participated in 4-H, FFA and numerous other agricultural organizations during her college career.
Prior to their selection, each of candidates — and hundreds of other hopefuls — completed an application and preliminary interview.
To become a finalist, candidates had to demonstrate “considerable knowledge” or work in Wisconsin’s agriculture industry; possess at least three years of experience, education or training in communications, marketing and public relations; and have public-speaking experience.
Going forward, each of them will participate in a battery of interviews and media trainings until the Finals.
The 78th Alice in Dairyland Finals will take place between May 15 and 17, with events in Gays Mills on Friday and the final program at the Prairie du Chien Area Performing Arts Center on Saturday. The winner will begin their term as Alice on July 7.
“Each year, a different county hosts this briefing and Alice in Dairyland Finals. Crawford County was selected for this honor in 2022. We have had three Alices in our county,” Carol Roth, co-chair of the Crawford County Alice in Dairyland Finals Steering Committee, said, “But we have never hosted this prestigious event, so you can understand how we are to be selected for this.”
