Special Iowa Dairy Princess Edition
DAIRY ST R
July 25, 2020
A voice for Iowa dairy farmers Hammerand uses princess platform to spread positive message of industry By Andrea Borgerding andrea.b@dairystar.com
SHERRILL, Iowa – Dairy farming is a tradition that runs strong in Julie Hammerand’s family. Knowing the hard work her family has invested into the industry for generations, Hammerand knew she had a personal obligation to be the voice for dairy farmers. Hammerand represented her family and all of Iowa’s dairy farmers since last August when she was crowned the 66th Iowa Dairy Princess. The title gave Hammerand a highly
visible platform in which to share dairy’s message. “I wanted to help be a voice for change within our dairy community especially during this time,” Hammerand said. “Not just during the pandemic but the past ve years have been rough for the dairy industry.” Hammerand, the daughter of Jerry and Lois, grew up on her family’s 150-cow dairy farm, Edgewood View Dairy, near Sherrill. Hammerand
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Julie Hammerand has served as the 66th Iowa Dairy Princess this past year. She is a student at University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Julie Hammerand (leŌ) along with Megan Gronau, 2019 Dubuque County Dairy Princess Alternate (center), and Ellie Simon, 2019 Dubuque County LiƩle Miss Dairy Maid aƩend a parade Sept. 2, 2019, in Dubuque, Iowa.
will be a sophomore this fall majoring in art education at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. In March, the COVID-19 pandemic challenged Hammerand’s dairy princess reign and her quest to reach consumers. “I haven’t been able to have a traditional dairy princess experience due to the
pandemic so that has made this year unique,” Hammerand said. “I have been able to meet with a lot of people virtually and connect with people over Facebook.” Hammerand is grateful for the face-to-face interactions she experienced prior to the pandemic. The National Cattle Congress in Waterloo in September is an event she
recalls as being memorable. “There were so many people there showing cattle, and I was able to talk to them about their farms and families,” Hammerand said. “It was the biggest show that I was able to be a part of and it was really exciting.” Since she was limited in making in-person interactions this spring, Hammerand took to social media to continue advocating for dairy. She read children’s books via Facebook as a learning opportunity for consumers. The posts generated feedback and initiated conversations about dairy farming. “I had one person ask me if we still milked cows by hand,” Hammerand said. Hammerand said she was comfortable with the social media interaction, but it was challenging to keep coming up with creative ways to share information. “I had to think of things that were interactive, that people could respond and comment on,” Hammerand said. “That keeps it a conversation, not just a post, so people could get involved with it.” Hammerand and Faith Palmer, the Iowa Dairy Princess Alternate, participated in a milk toast by posting a video with dairy princesses from across the country on World Milk Day June 1. Hammerand and Palmer also gave out dairy recipe ideas along with dairy facts. They also organized a coloring contest – all done Turn to HAMMERAND | Page 3
Recent Iowa Dairy Princesses 2018 Princess
2018 Alternate
2019 Princess
Rachel Grober Iowa Guernsey Breeders Association
Josie Buddenberg Winneshiek County
Jessica Schmitt Winneshiek County
2019 Alternate
2020 Princess
Julie Hammerand Grace Howe Dubuque County Dairy Iowa Jersey Cattle Club Association
2020 Alternate
Faith Palmer Allamakee County