What is the Virginia Dairy Princess Program?
The purpose of the Virginia Dairy Princess Program is to help bridge the gap between urban consumers and dairy farmers. The Dairy Princess and her court will help to promote and shine light on the Virginia dairy industry and dairy foods throughout Virginia.
The Dairy Maid is a volunteer position for girls not yet old enough to compete for the princess title.
How is the Dairy Princess selected?
Each year a new princess is elected by a panel of judges during the Dairy Princess Pageant. She will be selected on the basis of appearance, speaking ability, poise, personality, and knowledge of the dairy industry. The judges will be looking for an individual who can best represent the dairy industry and wholesome quality dairy foods to the consumer. Serving as the Dairy Princess is a rewarding role which can be fun; but when the title is accepted it carries with it an obligation to perform at all times to the best of one’s ability.
What are the qualifications to run for Dairy Princess?
The qualifications to run for Dairy Princess are:
- Live in Virginia
- Be a daughter of one of the following:
- a dairy farmer
- a dairy farm manager or herdsman
- someone employed in the dairy related industry (farm store, dairy cooperative, DHIA, feed supplier, veterinarian, milk inspector, etc.)
OR
- Be employed herself in the dairy industry
- Be a member of a bona fide 4-H club or FFA chapter
- Be at least 16 years old and not older than 21 by February 1st of the year of the pageant
What is the Dairy Princess Pageant?
The pageant is held once a year to elect the Dairy Princess and to crown Dairy Maids. Participants for Princess will be required to prepare a speech and a milk toast to be given at the pageant. Before the pageant they will present their speeches to a panel of judges along with answering interview questions. At the pageant they will be required to answer and an “On the spot” question to help with the judges final decision.
What are the benefits to being Dairy Princess?
The elected Dairy Princess will have the opportunity to travel Virginia and promote the dairy industry. Events can include, parades, meetings or social events with elected officials, public events, etc. She will also receive a scholarship at the end of her reign.
The Dairy Maid program is a complementary program to assist the Dairy Princess in carrying out her duties and to educate and train future princess candidates and promoters.
Must have a sincere desire to promote the dairy industry and dairy foods and be willing to learn about the dairy industry in order to become an informed promoter.
What is a Dairy Dutchess?
We’re thrilled to announce a brand-new opportunity within the Virginia Dairy Princess Program, the Virginia Dairy Duchess position!
This role is open to girls ages 14 to 16 who are enthusiastic about promoting dairy, getting involved in their communities, and developing leadership skills. To apply, you must be at least 14 years old and not older than 17 by February 1st of the year of the pageant.
All eligible applicants will be automatically accepted as Virginia Dairy Duchesses. We want every interested participant to have the chance to be involved, learn, and have fun supporting the dairy industry.
As a Virginia Dairy Duchess, you’ll support the Virginia Dairy Princess throughout her year of reign, helping represent the dairy industry at events, school programs, and community activities. If the princess isn’t available for an event, one of the duchesses may be called upon to step in and share the dairy message on her behalf.
Since we will select multiple duchesses each year, teamwork will be an important part of this role. During the day of the pageant, the duchesses will work together to create and present a milk toast to celebrate the dairy industry. Don’t worry, this doesn’t need to be memorized. We’ll also share the duchesses’ contact information ahead of time so everyone can start brainstorming ideas together before the pageant.
In years when we don’t have any princess candidates, the duchesses will work together to lead the Virginia Dairy Princess Program, continuing its proud tradition of dairy promotion and education.
We also hope that serving as a duchess will help participants build confidence, gain experience, and feel more comfortable and prepared to run for Virginia Dairy Princess in the future.
If you love dairy, enjoy meeting new people, and want to make a difference in your community, this is the perfect opportunity for you!
We can’t wait to see our future dairy leaders shine!
What is a Dairy Maid?
A Dairy Maid typically travels to most but not all events that the Dairy Princess is invited to attend. This is a complementary program to assist the Dairy Princess in carrying out her duties and to educate and train future princess candidates and promoters.
What are the qualifications to be a Dairy Maid?
Qualifications for being a Dairy Maid
- Must have a sincere desire to promote the dairy industry and dairy products and be willing to learn about the dairy industry in order to become an informed promoter.
- Should be 9-15 years old by February 1st of the pageant year
- May qualify by being a daughter of one of the following
- a dairy farmer
- a dairy farm manager or herdsman
- someone employed in the dairy related industry (farm store, dairy cooperative, DHIA, feed supplier, veterinarian, milk inspector, etc.)
OR
- employed herself in the dairy industry
- be a member of a bonafide 4-H club or FFA chapter
- Should be 9-15 years old by February 1st of the pageant year
Contact us for more information or to book an appearance!
Molly Elgin McWilliams
Coordinator
540-239-3483
vadairyprincessprogram@gmail.com
