Southern York County Life

York County Dairy Princess vies for state title

A cow might seem to be the obvious spokesperson for the dairy industry. Unfortunately, cows can’t talk. That’s why York County names a Dairy Princess to help promote the industry and its products.

New Freedom resident Lydia Eddinger, 19, won this year’s honor after a competition held in late June. She will go on to compete for the state Dairy Princess title in September.

The competition, held by the Penn State Cooperative Extension, was for women ages 16 to 24 who are related to the dairy industry in some way—either they work on a dairy farm, participate in 4-H, or have a relative in the industry, said Heather Myers, chairwoman for the Dairy Princess Committee.

During the competition, participants had to present a skit geared toward elementary school students, give a 3- to 5-minute speech geared toward adults and answer an impromptu question, Myers said.

As the York County Dairy Princess, Eddinger will spend the next year visiting senior centers, schools, clubs and grocery stores promoting the dairy industry and its products. Eddinger was chosen because she is confident, knowledgeable and passionate about the industry, and has good public speaking skills, Myers said.

‘Dedicated and well-spoken’: “They have to be able to speak well to the various age groups. It’s not a beauty contest,” she said. “(Eddinger) is very passionate about the dairy industry. She’s dedicated, and well spoken.”

A self-described farm girl, Eddinger said she is a little uncomfortable with the whole princess thing. “I’m not a real princess-y girl,” she said. “I’d rather just be outside getting dirty.”

Eddinger, who is involved in three 4-H groups, said she has already had a busy schedule since earning the crown, working every weekend to promote the industry. She said she hopes to debunk one of the biggest misconceptions about milk: that it is unsafe because of antibiotics and hormones. “It’s completely safe; it’s good,” she said.

While she didn’t grow up on a dairy farm, Eddinger said she is raising 12 of her own Jersey cows, a project she said has taught her responsibility. “I just love being out on the farm,” she said.

Eddinger will compete against 30 other women in the state competition on Sept. 22 at the Radisson Hotel in Harrisburg. The competition will be very similar to York County’s in that she will give a speech, present a skit and answer impromptu questions. The winner of the state title will receive $1,000. Two alternates will also be chosen and awarded $500 each.

-- Reach Mary Beiler at 854-1575 or news@yorkdispatch.com.

Source: The York Dispatch (we obtain permission for external material)
by MARY BEILER
Posted by Dan Baldwin on 07/30/2007 at 01:00 PM in News

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