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I thought I had experienced it all. I made it through the 12 days of the Minnesota State Fair, spent the winter fighting the snow to visit schools, delivered Dominos pizzas with Crunch, the Timberwolves mascot, and spoke with both consumers and producers about the dairy industry. I had almost made it through June Dairy Month when I did something that I had never done before; something that I have only seen in movies. I have experienced a lot of things during my time as Princess Kay, but I had never crashed a wedding until I went up to Bemidji for a weekend of promoting the dairy industry.
You might wonder how I went from Princess Kay to wedding guest, but the only explanation I can give is that the people I was working with in Bemidji are some of the most welcoming and genuinely caring individuals I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Having two siblings that recently got married, I can understand how much time, energy, effort and money go into planning the perfect wedding, but this couple and all of their guests thought nothing of inviting me and my father (who was acting as my chaperone for the weekend) to join in the celebration. The bride, a former county dairy princess herself, welcomed me with a hug.
My weekend made me realize and appreciate one of the best things about being a part of the agricultural industry in Minnesota: that feeling of family. It has been with me as I traveled around the state visiting farms, talking with consumers and having a great time representing those hard-working dairy farmers. The Agribank employees are learning a bit more about this special community by having commodity days, and in June they always highlight the dairy industry. I was happy to be a part of their Milk Day and they were excited to learn more about life on a farm.
This summer also finds me living at home and enjoying the easy life, like every farmer's daughter. Well, that might not be quite true, but there are 12 other farm girls who got to take a break from all the hard work to enjoy a weekend at Miron Farm.
The Butter Head Blast is a tradition that gives the 2011 finalists a chance to relax and get to know each other. We spent some time at the local grocery store, providing customers the chance to sample double chocolate, strawberry and root beer flavored milk. They also participated in the Forest Lake Fourth of July Parade and, somehow, we all fit into the three rooms that make up the top floor of the 109-year-old farmhouse that my family calls home. Of course, it is a little bittersweet to be coming to the end of my reign, but there are 12 capable young women ready to represent and serve the dairy farmers of Minnesota. I just hope that whoever that lucky lady is, she remembers that all those farmers are a part of her extended family and that this special connection may even earn her a wedding invitation.
Katie Miron is the 57th Princess Kay of the Milky Way and a student at the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus. Her parents, Fran and Mary Ann Miron, milk cows and farm with their family at Hugo, Minn. If you have a consumer-focused appearance for Princess Kay, contact Seena Glessing at 320-282-6337 or email her at [email protected].
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