Published: August 07, 2008 09:19 am         

New Otsego dairy princess begins reign at county fair

By MICHELLE MILLER
Staff Writer

MORRIS — Hannah Burchill, of Edmeston, was recently named this year’s Otsego County Dairy Princess. As part of the 16-yearold’s dairy princess duties, she attended the Otsego County Fair, which was held from July 31 through Aug. 3. At the fair, Burchill handed out ribbons to other 4-H’ers, hung dairy posters around the barns, participated in two parades, and wrote a story about how cheese is made, which was displayed in the milk parlor at the fair.

Burchill, who has been showing at local fairs and the Annual Farmers’ Museum Junior Livestock Show for three years, said she was happy when she found out she would be this year’s Otsego County Dairy Princess. She said she was not sure if she would get the opportunity because the yearly banquet, where the princess is normally crowned, was not held this year. Burchill said she was the only girl in the running, so she was crowned at a seminar where the incoming princess is taught how to proceed with her one-year reign. The seminar was held at the White Eagle Conference Center in Hamilton. Dairy princesses are selected based on speaking ability, knowledge of the dairy industry, poise, personality, and appearance. The judges look for who will best represent the county’s dairy industry and dairy farmers in local promotions to consumers.

In order to become a county dairy princess, one must be a legal resident of New York State and reside on or own land in the county in which they are running. She must also be a daughter of a dairy farm- er, dairy farm manager or herdsman or of someone employed in a dairy-related industry (dairy farm store, dairy feed supplier, veterinarian, milk inspector, milk truck driver or dairy cooperative such as Dairylea or Genex), employed herself in a dairy-related industry, be an owner of at least two dairy cows in a 4-H or FFA club, or have served her county a full year as an alternate, dairy maid or ambassador, or be sponsored by a farm within the county limits. Dairy princesses must be at least 16 years of age, but cannot be older than 24 before the state pageant competition. Dairy princesses cannot be married, have children, and must not marry or become pregnant during her reign.

In addition to the Dairy Princess, the program consists of dairy ambassadors and alternates. When requested, dairy ambassadors will work to help and support the dairy princess with school presentations, special events and attending promotion meetings.

Although Burchill has not been an active princess for very long, she said she enjoys talking to people and loves working with children. Besides for attending the Otsego County Fair, Burchill handed out ribbons and hosted an ice cream social at the Junior Show. Burchill said she become interested in becoming a dairy princess because she had a friend that did it. She said she was also a dairy ambassador last year.

Burchill said she has enjoyed raising her own animals and showing at local shows. She took grand champion with her Angus market steer this year at the Otsego County Fair, and sold it at the livestock auction. She said selling her steer was a very emotional experience. She said she was able to show at the New York State Fair last year, and plans to do so again this year.