Always advocating

ALBANY Minn. – From show whites to a sash and crown, Kallie Frericks always looks for the opportunity to share her love for dairy by advocating for the farming community.
“I have found joy getting out and educating people on something they might not be familiar with,” Frericks said. “I love dairy, and I want to share it with as many people as possible even when I am not wearing my crown and sash.”
Frericks, of Stearns County, is a finalist for the title of 69th Princess Kay of the Milky Way. Among the nine women she is completing against to become the state’s official goodwill dairy ambassador is her identical twin sister, Hailey.
Frericks is the daughter of Steve and Tammy Frericks of Albany.
The 19-year-old found her passion for dairy as a kindergartener leasing dairy cattle for 4-H. The young advocate’s newfound love blossomed as she began joining other dairy related activities including dairy project bowl and dairy cattle evaluation through 4-H and FFA and the Minnesota Junior Holstein Association.  
“The more I got involved, the more I wanted to do,” Frericks said. “Activities like MJHA opened the door for me to meet countless people in the dairy community and go to events to learn more about the industry. They have been really beneficial.”
In time, Frericks expressed her desire to become even more involved in dairy. To expand her knowledge on the production side of the industry, she milked on a neighbor’s robotic dairy throughout high school. Now, she relief milks for her aunt and uncle as well as for some family friends.  
Frericks’ continuous exposure to dairy led her to run for Stearns County Dairy Princess and then further her advocacy in vying for Princess Kay of the Milky Way.
“We always went to the Stearns County and Princess Kay coronations every year,” Frericks said. “I knew one day I was going to run in order to share my story and the stories of dairy farmers who work hard to produce food for others every day.”
The young dairy enthusiast hopes to convey a special message with the consumers she meets.
“Dairy farmers truly care,” Frericks said. “I want to make sure people know that it’s not just for the animals and land but for the people that they are producing food for.”  
Frericks credits becoming a dairy princess in helping her with personal development skills such as public speaking, navigating difficult conversations, patience and connecting with consumers and farmers alike. She is excited to use these skills as she continues on as a dairy advocate and in her career.
This summer, Frericks is not only spending her time advocating for dairy but also helping farmers secure loans as an agricultural lender with Citizens Bank Minnesota in Watkins. This internship has allowed Frericks to see the financial side of the agriculture industry and learn additional ways to act in farmers’ best interests.    
Frericks plans to work in agricultural finance after she graduates from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She is studying agriculture business and marketing and works to continue her dairy involvement at school by being active in the university’s dairy club, Sigma Alpha and the Agriculture Business Marketing Society.
As Frericks prepares for the Princess Kay coronation later this summer, she hopes to take it all in one day at a time.
Frericks said she is immensely thankful for the support she and her sister have been shown.
“I couldn’t believe how many people reached out congratulating us and offering help or support,” Frericks said. “Having a whole community behind you says a lot. It’s a really good feeling.”
Frerick’s eventful summer will end with the Minnesota State Fair where she will not only finish her 4-H career showing dairy but also have her likeness sculpted out of a 90-pound block of butter and find out if she is selected for the 69th Princess Kay of the Milky Way.
No matter how the summer ends, Frericks will continue advocating for dairy whether she wears the sash and crown or not.