Julie Hammerand, an 18-year-old from Sherrill, Iowa, was crowned the 66th Iowa Dairy Princess at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Hammerand, daughter of Jerry and Lois Hammerand, will spend the year serving as a goodwill ambassador for Iowa’s dairy farmers.
Julie represents Dubuque County and will be a student at the University of Northern Iowa this fall, where she is will major in art education, according to a Midwest Dairy news release.
Faith Palmer, 17, of Waukon, Iowa, was named Alternate Iowa Dairy Princess. Palmer, the daughter of John and Meghan Palmer, will share duties. She represents Allamakee County and will be a senior at Waukon High School this fall.
Alexis Costello, 20, was named Miss Congeniality and was also recognized for her performance in the public speaking portion of the contest. She is the daughter of Tim and Karen Costello and represented the Iowa Holstein Association.
Eight candidates competed for the Iowa Dairy Princess title, with the judging held Aug. 6-7 in Ankeny.
The outgoing 2018-19 Iowa Dairy Princess is Jessica Schmitt, daughter of Carl and Terry Schmitt of Fort Atkinson, and the Alternate Dairy Princess is Grace Howe, daughter of Shelly Howe and the late Matt Howe of Waukon. Their reigns will be completed at the end of the Iowa State Fair, and the new princess and alternate will begin their duties Sept. 1.
