Virginia Dairy Princess Program

2024 Virginia Dairy Princess

Ayla Janney currently lives in Rockingham County and is a Junior at Broadway High School. She grew up on a 90 cow dairy farm until 2018 when her family dispersed their herd. Ayla actively participates in shows and judges dairy cattle up and down the East Coast at both state and national level competitions. Dairy Quiz Bowl is also one of her passions, she and her team placed 3rd in the nation. Ayla is currently Vice President of the Broadway FFA chapter and Treasurer of the Greenmont 4H, in these roles, she advocates for the dairy industry and share her story as often as she can.

Dairy Princess & Alternate
Participants

Ayla Janney of Rockingham County; 2024 Virginia Dairy Princess
Hannah Smith; Virginia Dairy Princess Alternate

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 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
melgin93@gmail.com

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