The 2024 Goodhue County Dairy Royalty was crowned at the annual family Princess Banquet on Saturday, March 30th at Bridget’s Cafe in Zumbrota. Crowned princesses were Natalie Clementson and Evelyn Scheffler, both of Zumbrota.
Natalie Celmentson, daughter of Brian and Tiffany Clementson is currently a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls majoring in Dairy Science. Evelyn Scheffler, daughter of Tony and Maizie Scheffler, is a freshman at South Dakota State University majoring in Dairy Production. Both young women are also active in 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl and Dairy Judging teams, FFA, and agricultural clubs at their respective universities. They are both members of the Goodhue County 4-H Dairy Judging team that will be traveling to the United Kingdom and Ireland in June to participate in international judging experiences.
Also recognized at the banquet were a group of young people who will be working as Goodhue County Dairy Ambassadors. Ambassadors work with the princesses at events to promote the dairy industry while developing their own skills in dairy promotion. Each of these youth are active participants within the dairy community or on their respective farms. Ambassadors Named ambassadors were the following:
● Troy Clementson, son of Brian &Tiffany Clementson of Zumbrota
● Hannah Gutknecht, daughter of Brian & Holly Gutknecht of Wanamingo
● Leetta O’Reilly, daughter of Ben & Brittany O’Reilly of Goodhue
● Jenna O’Reilly, daughter of Chris O’Reilly & Abby O’Reilly of Goodhue.
The Dairy Princess competition is sponsored by the American Dairy Association of Goodhue County, which helps promote and educate the public on dairy products and their production. Candidates are chosen based on their communication skills, enthusiasm for dairy promotion, and general knowledge of the dairy industry. Once crowned, the princesses will become good-will ambassadors for Goodhue County’s dairy industry and its farmers. They and the ambassadors will spend the next year promoting the dairy industry at, schools, promotional events, and community events and festivals. Each princess will also be encouraged to attend the Minnesota May Dairy Promotion and Leadership Event where they will have the opportunity to continue on towards competing for the title Minnesota’s Princess Kay of the Milky Way in August.
