#United States #St. Paul #Dairy Farmers #Princess Kay #Malorie Thorson

The 72nd Princess Kay of the Milky Way Crowned

On August 20, 2025, the Minnesota dairy community celebrated the crowning of Malorie Thorson, a 20-year-old college student from Waverly, as the 72nd Princess Kay of the Milky Way. This prestigious ceremony took place at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, where Thorson will act as the goodwill ambassador for the nearly 1,800 dairy farm families across Minnesota.

Malorie, who studies at South Dakota State University, was chosen from a competitive field of ten county dairy princesses who represented different regions of Minnesota. The event beautifully showcased the talent and commitment of young women in the agriculture industry.

Runners-Up and Scholarship Winners

Acclaimed for their poise and knowledge about the dairy industry, the contenders were judged on multiple factors, including their communication skills and enthusiasm for dairy. The event concluded with Alexis Hoefs, representing Le Sueur County, and April Klaphake, representing Stearns County, being named the runners-up. Three other finalists, Natalie Clemenson, representing Goodhue County, Nicole Hauschildt, representing Wabasha County, received scholarships in recognition of their efforts, while Lauren Steffl earned the title of Miss Congeniality.

Embracing Her Role

As Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Thorson's role extends beyond ceremonial duties; she has the important task of helping to connect consumers to Minnesota's dairy farm families. Harnessing her role as a spokesperson for dairy farmers, Thorson will engage in various public appearances, including classroom visits and events, where she will promote the nutritional benefits of dairy products and highlight the commitment of dairy farmers to environmental sustainability.

Her reign will get underway with her first official appearance, where she will sit inside a rotating cooler in the Dairy Building to have her likeness sculpted in a 90-pound block of butter. This artistic representation will be crafted by the talented Minnesota artist Gerry Kulzer during the Minnesota State Fair, specifically on August 21 and 22. Following her, the other finalists will have their butter sculptures made on designated days throughout the fair.

Princess Kay and Community Engagement

Throughout the state fair, Thorson and other finalists have planned numerous engaging appearances near the Butter Sculpture Booth, where they will interact with attendees and educate them about the dairy industry. Visitors can also follow along on Princess Kay's Facebook page and Instagram, where pictures and updates of each completed butter sculpture will be shared.

The Princess Kay of the Milky Way program, sponsored by Midwest Dairy, serves as a platform to inspire consumer trust in dairy and emphasizes its significance within Minnesota’s agricultural landscape. The funds to support this initiative come from dairy farmers through their promotion checkoff, showcasing how local industry leaders champion their products.

The Midwest Dairy, an organization representing 3,600 dairy farm families, works tirelessly to ensure the success of dairy farming in a ten-state region. This includes Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and eastern Oklahoma.

Conclusion

Malorie Thorson's crowning as Princess Kay of the Milky Way marks a significant movement in promoting dairy awareness and community connection. As she embarks on a year of service, her dedication and enthusiasm will help shine a light on the importance of dairy farming in Minnesota while serving the community and beyond.