This August, senior Allyson Knott was crowned Alternate Maryland’s Dairy Princess at the Maryland State Fair. A dairy princess, according to Knott, is “essentially a dairy ambassador.” She continues, “ it’s important that we connect people to their food source and where their milk comes from!”
The senior states that, “dairy farmers’ lives are very busy and the role of a dairy princess provides a layer of support in promoting the hard work that they do!” She then goes onto explaining that, “being a dairy princess includes promoting milk and dairy farmers and connecting everyday citizens to the life of a dairy farmer and the role they play in our communities.”
The princesses are named in terms, according to Knott. ”Regional princesses usually get renamed in May, when my term is over, and then during the next Maryland State Fair, the next princesses will be crowned.”
According to the Maryland Dairy Princess Website, “the primary sponsor of the Maryland Dairy Princess Program is the American Dairy Association North East – a group of professionals who are dedicated to building trust in, and sales of, dairy foods. They are funded by 9,000 dairy farmers through milk sales checkoffs.”
According to the website, “girls between the ages of [nine] and 15 are also welcomed to assist with dairy promotions as a Dairy Miss.” Sophomore Maddi Thomas, a dairy miss, explains that the role contains tasks such as “assist[ing] the princess at events and with toasts.” They are usually “younger, and are training to eventually run for dairy princess once we are sixteen,” she finishes.
Knott has had “multiple” special occasions as princess, including “conversations and connections with Harford County government, our retired governor [Larry] Hogan, and our current governor, Wes Moore.” She also adds that she goes to a variety of events, like “local and state fairs to community parades, agricultural events, banquets, educational readings to children,” and “going on the news!”
