Amanda Green looks forward to reign as Green County Dairy Queen
 
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Hello. My name is Amanda Green and I am your 2002-2003 Green County Dairy Queen. My parents are Joseph and Joyce Green, and they were there when I was crowned on June 22, at the Green County’s Dairy Day in Blanchardville. As a newly crowned Dairy Queen, I am thrilled about this great opportunity to serve Green County and Wisconsin. Throughout my whole life. I have lived on a dairy farm. My parents raised my three older siblings and me on a large farm outside of Warren, Illinois. Some of my favorite childhood memories included doing chores with my family and working with animals. As well, I enjoyed showing people the farm, as it was located on a main highway and people would often visit. My family and I especially liked giving the local kindergartens a tour of the farm. We believed, and still do today, that it is essential for all consumers, and especially children, to have a good understanding of where their food comes from, as well as how good agricultural products are for them. Today, my parents and I live on a dairy farm near Browntown. We are quite busy, but we really like our farm. Also, one of my brothers works with my Dad on the farm. Together, we milk about sixty Holsteins, as well as raise heifers, take care of beef cows, feed out steers, and raise our own feed. I enjoy being outside to do chores, milk, and feed calves. This fall, I will be a senior at Monroe High School. In school, I participate in many activities in the Forensics, Band, Chorus, and volleyball programs. As well, I am in National Honor Society (where I will be treasurer next year), and on the high honor roll. Also, my family and I are parishioners at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Warren, Illinois, where I am a lector. My family supports and encourages my involvement in the community and school, as it helps me to meet new people, grow as a person, and help to strengthen the community. Ever since my family has lived here, we have truly enjoyed the picturesque rolling hills, our friendly neighbors, the exceptional community involvement, and the great resources of the area. My family and I believe living in Green County is wonderful! One of Green County’s most valuable resources is the Green County Agricultural Chest. The Ag Chest, as it is often called, is a volunteer organization. It was founded in the 1950s and yet, its objective remains: to promote Green County, its products, resources, and people, especially youth and youth activities, including agriculture, 4-H, home economics, and tourism. Essentially, the Ag Chest is able to give all of Green County a taste of what farm life is like (kind of like when we gave farm tours to the kindergartners, except on a much larger scale). By doing this, it promotes Green County’s most valuable asset — the family farm. Throughout the year, the Ag Chest sponsors Dairy Breakfasts, the Dairy Queens Program, supplies promotional material (like pencils and coloring books) to local grade schools, sells ice cream and cream puffs to provide tasty treats at local events, holds “Dairy Day” in June to give 4-Hers an opportunity to show their cattle and their showmanship, and much more. Many people volunteer a lot of time for these activities which benefit the community. The Ag Chest, as I said, is the sponsor of the Dairy Queen Program. There is no other program like it in the state of Wisconsin, and it is very impressive. It encourages young women to be active in their communities, support the dairy industry, and learn more about Green County and Wisconsin. I am very proud to be a part of this, and I am thrilled about all of the opportunities it will offer the other Queens and me. Some of the upcoming events we will be at are the Green County Fair, the Boone County Fair, the Roscoe Fall Festival, the Wisconsin State Fair, Monroe’s Cheese Days, the World Dairy Expo, and much more. As you can see, we will be quite busy, but all of us are excited that we will be at all of these special events throughout the area. Nonetheless, I believe the busiest person who is associated with the Queen Program (and the Ag Chest), is Heidi Miller, the “Queen Mother.” Heidi works with Shelby Roesslein, the Advisor to the Queens, to organize the events and chaperone the Queens. We really appreciate all of the work she puts in and we are thankful for all of her help. On June 20th, the Green County Dairy Queens Banquet was held. Throughout the day, the other Queens and I had been watched and interviewed by three judges who toured the Blanchardville area with us. That night at the Queens Banquet, we were asked “The Big Question.” It was, “If you could place ‘something’ in a time capsule that you feel BEST represents Wisconsin agriculture, and more specifically Green County agriculture, what would that ‘something’ be, and why would this be your choice?” Individually, most of us came up with a similar answer: the Green County’s best cheese from its thirteen cheese factories. We felt that this would give the future a “taste” of how wonderful Green County is today. On June 22, Green County Dairy Day was held at McKellar Park in Blanchardville. All of the Queens were present to pass out ribbons to the youth who were showing their cattle. As well, the other Queens and I served delicious ice cream and passed out tasty cheese. We had a lot of fun, even though it was quite hot. At one o’clock, the Dairy Day Parade was held, and was a lot of fun. At last, there was the much anticipated crowning of the 2002-2003 Green County Dairy Princess and Queen, Lindsey Dorn and I were thrilled to be chosen. We are looking forward to our new roles working for the Ag Chest, promoting dairy products, meeting new people, and serving Green County. This summer will be very busy for all of us Queens, but we know it will be a lot of fun working together. I wish you a safe, happy, and exciting summer, and I hope to see you at the upcoming Green County Fair. Thank you and have a great July.
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