Meet Alice In Dairyland Candidate Taylor Schaefer

In preparation for the selection of the 75th Alice in Dairyland, we’re giving you a chance to meet the candidates.

The Alice in Dairyland Finals will be held May 19-21 in Dane County. The 75th Alice in Dairyland will begin her term on July 5. The Mid-West Farm Report sat down with the six top candidates after they were announced in March.

One of the top candidates getting ready for the 75th year of Alice is Taylor Schaefer. If selected as Alice, Schaefer is looking forward to learning more about the state’s diverse industry while bridging the gap between producers and consumers.

“As a young exhibitor, I looked up to Alice for her contributions towards reconnecting consumers to producers and ability to foster positive relationships between urban and rural community members,” says Schaefer. “As Alice, I will explore Wisconsin’s diverse agriculture industry and share my knowledge with audiences of all demographics across the state.”

Schaefer’s fondest memories stem from her family’s beef and crop farm, where raising livestock and serving as a youth leader in the Racine County 4-H program ignited her passion for agriculture.

Schaefer went on to study at UW-Madison, where she was involved in the Association of Women in Agriculture, Badger Dairy Club, and the UW Marching Band. In 2021, she interned with Mayer Beef and Folk Song Farm, where she broadened her knowledge of the Something Special from Wisconsin program and connected with consumers.

She has since joined the Animal and Dairy Sciences Department at UW as a digital media intern and the Mid-West Farm Report as a farm assistant. In May 2022, Schaefer will graduate with bachelor’s degrees in animal sciences and life sciences communication and a certificate in digital studies. She’s accepted a full-time position with the Mid-West Farm Report upon graduation.

Leading up to the finals in Dane County, the top candidates will prepare for an extensive interview process. The three-day Alice in Dairyland Finals includes agribusiness tours, media interviews, an impromptu question and answer session, individual interviews, and candidate presentations.