Dairy industry crowns princesses, ambassador

Two princesses and an ambassador will represent the Steele County American Dairy Association (ADA) this year after being crowned with their titles at the annual dairy banquet Saturday in Owatonna.

Afton Nelson, 19, and Samantha Fredin, 21, both of Owatonna are this year’s dairy princesses while Anton Schroeder, 18, also of Owatonna, will be the ambassador. Both Nelson and Fredin have served as princesses in the past.

Nelson is a freshman at South Dakota State University where she is majoring in dairy production. She plans to attend the University of Minnesota to become a large animal veterinarian. During high school in Owatonna, she was in National Honor Society, band, FFA and dairy judging. She got her start with the dairy industry by attending Cow Camp at Clover Glen Farms and continued with 4-H experiences. She is the daughter of Tim Nelson of Owatonna and Stacy Nelson of Glencoe.

Fredin is currently finishing her junior year at Iowa State University. She plans to graduate with degrees in dairy science and genetics and continue with a doctor’s degree. In high school, she was involved in soccer, track, orchestra, Young Life, 4-H, National Honor Society and DECA. During her college years, she has been in Dairy Science Club, Dairy Challenge, Genetics Club, Alpha Zeta, Kairos and Dance Marathon. She assists with dairy chores at the Stranshome Holsteins south of Owatonna. She is the daughter of Julie Evers and Scott Fredin of Owatonna.

Schroeder is wrapping up his senior year at Owatonna where he has been involved in cross country and FFA. He has worked on his family farm south of Owatonna where he assists with feeding, watering and bedding. All of his three sisters were dairy princesses. He plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-River Falls to pursue a major in environmental engineering. He is the son of Wade and Mary Schroeder.

The trio will represent the dairy industry at various events around Steele County this summer.

Several awards were also given out at this year’s banquet. Costas Candies of Owatonna and Ron Boreen, who operated the Surge Dairy Farm Supply. They received the Milk Pitcher Awards. Owner Julie Schultz accepted the award for Costas.

Bob and Linda Noble of Medford were honored with the Pull Together Award. They started farming in 1967. She is the supervisor of the dairy group’s malt stand throughout the summer. The duo has also driven school bus for a combined 97 years. “Bob’s not here today because he’s driving bus,” Linda said in accepting the award.

The Lifetime Achievement Awards were given out to Abby Mundt and Cindy Finch. The honor showcases individuals in the dairy industry who have put a lot of time and dedication into promoting dairy. Finch served for 21 years on the ADA board, including stints as treasurer and princess coordinator while Mundt devoted 16 years to the board before retiring in 2021, though she still helps out as needed.

Fredin was presented with this year’s scholarship award of $500.

This year’s junior dairy ambassadors include: Chase Balzer, Claira Balzer, Ava Cox, Anna Cox, Chloe Garten, Lukas Halla, Madison Homuth, Madi Murphy, Andy Nelson, Cali Nelson, Kellen Nelson, August Schroht, Colin Schultz, Isabella Schultz and Ali Slater.

The Dukes and Duchesses are Eliza Balzer, Penelope Balzer, Isaac Demmer, Ethan Demmer, Evan Halla, Mackenzie Jacobsen, Lucy Kasper, Milo Kasper, Olivia Jacobsen, Elizabeth Schultz and Devon Sanford.

The chair of the ADA is Jon Schmidt of Owatonna while Casey Nelson of Ellendale is vice chair.

The local dairy group’s next big event is Breakfast on the Farm, which will be Saturday, June 10 at the Scott Kasper farm located east of Medford.