On Saturday April 16, a new Washington County Dairy Princess Team was crowned at the Middle Falls Fire Department function room in Greenwich. Julia Houser was named Dairy Princess, while Sara Stein was named First Alternate.

The candidates both spoke on the “Wonderful World of Dairy” as well as answered an impromptu question.  Julia, daughter of Ruth and George Houser of Easton, discussed the value of dairy as a source of nutrition, working with animals and kids. Sara, daughter of Joanne and Robert Stein of Greenwich, spoke about showing cattle, the need to educate the public on the value of the dairy industry.

Master of Ceremonies Sara Idleman, Town of Greenwich Supervisor, provided numerous thoughts and tidbits through the pageant. As one of the original candidates for Dairy Princess in the first year Washington County held a pageant, she had an insider’s view. Additionally, outgoing 1^st Alternate Dairy Princess Kaylah Gulley is Sara’s granddaughter.

The outgoing team of Alternates Julia Steidle, Kaylah Gulley and Dairy Princess Meghan Coldwell honored the forty Dairy Ambassadors who help at events and are an important part of the program. Each young woman reminisced about what the year had meant to them and what they had learned while thanking the program’s supporters.

Chairperson Betsy Foote also thanked the many farmers and agri-service donors and praised the efforts of Meghan, Kaylah and Julia. For more information on hosting a Dairy Princess at an event or learning more about the program, please call 518-744-7942.

The Washington County Dairy Princess program is made possible through the support of the local dairy industry and the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council – the state planning and management organization funded by dairy farmer checkoff dollars.