The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has announced that Walworth County will host the 76th Alice in Dairyland Finals May 11-13, 2023.
In Addition, DATCP has announced that it is accepting bids from counties to host the Alice in Dairyland Finals until Oct. 20, 2022 for the following years: 2024 (77th Alice in Dairyland), 2025 (78th Alice in Dairyland), 2026 (79th Alice in Dairyland), and 2027 (80th Alice in Dairyland). The request for proposals is available on DATCP’s website.
Walworth County plans farm-to-table fundraiser
According to a DATCP news release, Walworth County is uniquely positioned to host the Alice in Dairyland Finals in 2023 as the county hosted the 73rd Alice in Dairyland Finals virtually in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 76th Alice in Dairyland Finals planning committee invites individuals from Walworth County and surrounding communities with an interest in donating their time or resources to contact 76th Alice in Dairyland Finals Committee Chairperson Susan Earle at alicewalworthcounty2023@gmail.com.
In a recent email, Earle told Fort Atkinson Online that the Walworth County committee will be hosting a farm-to-table fundraiser in support of the event, called “Taste the Wonders of Walworth County,” Sunday, Sept. 25, at Pearce’s Farm Stand, W5740 North Walworth Road, Walworth.
The farm-to-table event will include a locally sourced five-course meal prepared by a trio of chefs from the Lake Geneva area, including Chef Jordan Reynolds, along with Jeff and Maria Halpin of Halpin Catering and Restaurant.
A cocktail reception, including two complimentary drinks, is slated to begin at 4:30 p.m., with dinner served at 5:30 p.m. Tickets cost $100 per plate.
Those interested in learning more about the farm-to-table fundraising event, or reserving their place at the table, can visit: https://www.aliceindairyland.com/farm-to-table.
To learn more about Pearce’s Farm Stand, visit: https://www.pearcefarms.com.
According to the DATCP release, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension notes that Walworth County’s 941 farms manage more than 192,000 acres, or 54% of the county total. The county’s agriculture industry provides more than 4,900 jobs and $1.1 billion in economic activity, and ranks fifth in the state for the production of sheep and goats. Producing grain, milk, cattle, hogs, and nursery and greenhouse products, the county’s agriculture industry is extremely diverse. As one of the state’s top tourist destinations, the pastoral landscape is a valuable asset to the county.
The 75th Alice in Dairyland, Taylor Schaefer, will visit Walworth County more than 10 times prior to the finals. Her appearances will include stops at the Walworth County Dairy Breakfast, Pearce’s Farm to Table event, official first Christmas tree-cutting event, and the Walworth County Fair. Each visit will bring an increased visibility to the many agri-tourism events and offerings in Walworth County, the release noted.
The selection of the 76th Alice in Dairyland will take place on May 13, 2023. The Alice in Dairyland interview process includes the three-day finals event each May, as well as a two-day briefing event several weeks earlier. These events include press conferences, agribusiness tours, interviews with local media, and speeches. Some of the finale events are open to the public and include opportunities to showcase the host county’s local businesses and products.
Advantages of hosting
Dane County served as the host of the 75th Alice in Dairyland Finals in 2022, the DATCP release stated.
DATCP Marketing Specialist Morgan Brandenburg recently noted that Jefferson County hosted the event in 1972. It was held at the Welcome Inn in Fort Atkinson.
According to the DATCP release, each year, a different county hosts a series of Alice in Dairyland Finals events leading up to the selection of the next Alice in Dairyland. Local economic development organizations and promotional agriculture organizations are encouraged to consider this opportunity to welcome visitors and media professionals from around the state to their county. The planning process begins at least one year in advance, including scheduling the current Alice in Dairyland to attend monthly events in the county to promote the finals and learn more about the impact of agriculture on that county. In mid-March, the host county holds a press conference to officially announce the top candidates for the next Alice in Dairyland.
“Hosting the 75th Alice in Dairyland Finals has been an incredible experience for Dane County. Our committee not only helped others learn more about Alice in Dairyland and the 75-year legacy, but they also brought attention to the diversity and importance of agriculture throughout the county and state. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring people together, enhance connections, and open doors for the future of the Alice in Dairyland program,” Jill Ann Makovec, chair of the 75th Alice in Dairyland Steering Committee, was quoted as saying in the release.
About Alice in Dairyland
According to the release, Alice in Dairyland is a full-time communications professional for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). The Alice program is supported by several partner organizations including Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, Kettle Moraine Mink Breeders Association, Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board, Midwest Jewelers Association, Ginseng Board of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Beef Council. For more information about the Alice in Dairyland program, visit https://www.aliceindairyland.com/ and follow Alice online on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Taylor Schaefer, fourth from left, is announced as the 75th Alice in Dairyland during finals held in Dane County. Contributed photo.
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