61st Iowa Dairy Princess Crowned

DES MOINES, Iowa – Mikayla Lien, a 19-year-old from Calmar, was crowned the 61st Iowa Dairy Princess during an evening ceremony at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines Wednesday, August 6.  Lien, daughter of Gary and Patty Lien, will spend the year serving as a goodwill ambassador for Iowa’s dairy farmers.  Throughout her year-long reign she will make public appearances to connect with consumers and help them understand the dedication of dairy farm families to their cows, their land and the milk they produce. 

Lien represents Winneshiek County and is a student at the University of Northern Iowa, where she is a communications major. She receives a $550 scholarship from Midwest Dairy Association, which sponsors the dairy princess program.

Rylie Pflughaupt, 21 of Vinton, was named Alternate Iowa Dairy Princess.  Pflughaupt, the daughter of Jordan and Traci Pflughaupt, will share duties with the princess.  She represents the Iowa Jersey Cattle Club and attends Iowa State University majoring in speech communications with minors in advertising and agricultural communications. Pfughaupt receives a $450 scholarship from Midwest Dairy.

Kathryn Appler was named Miss Congeniality. She is the daughter of Kent and Laura Appler and represented the Iowa Brown Swiss Association.

Lien and Pflughaupt were also recognized for their presentations, along with Rachel Demmer, 19, daughter of Rick and Kathy Demmer of Peosta, representing the Iowa Holstein Association; and Kayla Lueder, 19, daughter of Kevin and Sue Lueder of West Union, representing the Iowa Guernsey Association. Demmer and Lueder were also named to the top five, as was Dayle Lantzky, 18, daughter of Brian and Heidi Lantzky of Hawkeye, representing Fayette County.

The outgoing Iowa Dairy Princess is Mariah Schmitt, daughter of Carl and Terry Schmitt from Fort Atkinson, and the Alternate Princess is Celina Young, daughter of Jill Grabau and Greg Young from Waverly. Their reigns will be completed at the end of the Iowa State Fair, and the new Princess and Alternate will begin their duties on September 1.

Source:  Midwest Dairy Association