On Sunday, April 29, the 53rd Washington County Dairy Princess pageant crowned a new team of dairy princesses for the 2018-2019 year. In front of over one hundred people at the 1925 Barn in Kingsbury, three candidates offered speeches on dairy promotion and information. They each answered the impromptu question, “As a member of the Washington County Dairy Princess team you represent the entire dairy industry. What are some key messages that you want the consumer to know?” Citing health and nutritional benefits of milk and other dairy products, the candidates also brought up issues about animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and farming practices.

The new team is anchored by Dairy Princess Carlee McGreevy, daughter of Lesa St. Jock of Hartford. Alternate Dairy Princesses are Lauren DeSorbe, daughter of Rebecca and Anthony DeSorbe of Greenwich and Hannah Monroe, daughter of Jonathon Monroe and Krystal Monroe of Hartford. MC Mike Dubray acknowledged the judges’ challenge in the process.

Outgoing team Rachel Hall, Kassidy Kuzmich, Shania Danio of Greenwich and Mackenzie Casey of Hartford gave thank you speeches reflecting on their year of dairy promotion and service. They also recognized the more than 50 Dairy Ambassadors who participate in the program learning lessons, life skills, and raising self-confidence all while promoting dairy products.

Chairperson Betsy Foote thanked the many farmers and agri-service donors (Capital Tractor, Hollister Brothers, Ideal Dairy Farms, Ray & Stella Johnson, James & Judith McClay, Ronald & Diane Mercure, Ed & Michelle Rouse. Salem Farm Supply, John Stowkowski & Sons, Tiashoke Farms, LLC, Washington Co-Op Insurance, OA Borden & Sons, KA Sunset View Farm, McCuins Livestock Transport, Ken Thomas III, Hudson River Tractor, Kenyon Hill Farm, and Hi-Brow Farm). She also praised the efforts of the outgoing team who stuck through numerous rainy parades, hot Fair days and dozens of school programs. For more information on hosting a Dairy Princess at an event or learning more about the program, please call 518-744-7942. For more info or updates on the team’s activities, please check out www.washingtoncountydairyprincess.org

Please congratulate all of these young women and raise a glass of milk with them as they set off on a year of discovery. The Washington County Dairy Princess program is made possible through the support of the local dairy and agri-business community and the American Dairy Association North East (ADANE), the regional planning and management organization funded by dairy farmer checkoff dollars.

Pictured: The incoming 2018-19 Washington County Dairy Princess Team (L-R): Lauren DeSorbe, Alternate Dairy Princess; Dairy Princess Carlee McGreevy; Alternate Dairy Princess Hannah Monroe.