An incredible community

There are only a few moments in life when we truly feel a sense of community, surrounded by the people who cheer us on in everything we do. I experienced this on the evening before opening day of the 2024 Minnesota State Fair. I was honored to stand amongst an exceptional group of young women who shared a love and passion for dairy. As I was crowned the 71st Princess Kay of the Milky Way, I was overcome with emotion at the proud and supportive looks from parents, mentors, role models and friends. This moment captured the epitome of the dairy community — a community built on support, teamwork, dedication and encouragement.

I grew up in McLeod County just west of Hutchinson, where I truly found my place in the dairy community. Growing up, I loved hearing stories about my dad’s childhood on the farm and my grandparents’ dairy farm. But it was in third grade that I started my own dairy story. I began showing dairy cattle with a neighboring farm through the 4-H lease program, where I worked with show heifers and helped out on the farm. Over the last 11 years, I’ve become more involved in the daily chores at Stadview, a farm near Litchfield, and have had countless opportunities to share my passion for dairy with others. Looking back 11 years on the young girl who just wanted to show a calf, I’m incredibly thankful for the experiences that allowed me to grow, learn and build my own dairy story. I remember those first few summers at the McLeod County Fair, where I met the county dairy princesses and Princess Kay finalists. My goal of one day becoming a finalist and Princess Kay grew from a combination of these interactions and my eagerness to fully immerse myself in the dairy community.

I am beyond excited to be fulfilling the dream I started as a young girl and honored to represent Minnesota’s dairy farmers throughout the next year. While the coronation was a whirlwind of emotions and a moment I’ll never forget, the 12 days that followed were equally memorable. I kicked off the Minnesota State Fair at 5:30 on the morning of opening day (Thursday, Aug. 22) outside the main gates of the fairgrounds. Finalists Grace and Miranda joined me as we met with TV and radio broadcasters to share the excitement of the coronation, promote the Flavor of the Fair and express our passion for dairy. Following the interviews that morning, I stepped into the butter booth in the dairy building, where butter sculptor Gerry Kulzer began creating my likeness from 90 pounds of butter. Watching him in action was incredible, and I was amazed by his talent and the intricate process of creating those remarkable creations. After my time in the butter booth, I was blown away by the curiosity people had about dairy farming, dairy products, and, of course, butter sculpting.

Among countless meaningful conversations, the additional finalists and I attended the milking demonstration, judged the amateur butter sculpting contest, visited with fairgoers in the Moo Booth and joined Fairborne and Fairchild in the parade around the fairgrounds each day. Some of my most unique and memorable experiences from the fair include taking photos inside the butter booth for the Star Tribune, celebrating the accomplishments of 4-H members at the dairy shows and Minnesota 4-H Dairy Showcase, visiting with Governor Tim Walz, and sitting for a painted portrait by artist Kickliy. In between the events around the fairground, I completed a total of 39 media appearances throughout the fair.

The 12 days spent at the Great Minnesota Get-Together were the perfect way to kick off this dream come true. I am proud to represent Minnesota’s dedicated dairy farmers over the next year and cannot wait to meet all of the farmers behind this incredible opportunity. The dairy community is like no other, and I am so excited to share this with those I get to meet.

Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Rachel Visser, serves as the Minnesota dairy community’s goodwill ambassador. Rachel grew up in Hutchinson, Minnesota working on a neighboring dairy farm. She attends the University of Minnesota double majoring in Agricultural Food and Business Management and Agricultural Communications and Marketing. Her favorite dairy food is cheese sticks. Her parents are Barry and Shannon Visser. Princess Kay is very active doing school visits and events representing dairy farmers, and sharing the importance of dairy farming and dairy foods at appearances across Minnesota.