Stearns, Benton County Dairy Associations Busy During ‘June Dairy Month’ [VIDEO]

ST. CLOUD - It's June Dairy Month and the local dairy associations will spend it promoting their industry. Stearns County is the largest dairy producing county in the state with nearly 400 dairy farms.

Gina Holdvogt of Freeport is a Stearns County Dairy Princess and is also one of 12 finalists to become the next "Princess Kay of the Milky Way". She says it's the animals that she loves best.

I just love being with the animals, honestly milking cows is my favorite activity.  It's so peaceful and calm in our barn.

Holdvogt says there are about 70,000 dairy cows in Stearns County alone.

She is a 2016 graduate of Melrose High School, and is going to be a sophomore this fall at MSU-Moorhead majoring in math education.

Benton County Dairy Princess Rebecca Schubert from Rice was recently named one of 12 finalists for the title "Princess Kay of the Milky Way". It is the first time since 2014 that Benton County has a young woman in the program. Schubert says she's excited to promote the dairy industry.

I absolutely love my community and I take pride in where I live. I love being on the farm.  So I wanted to take my experience and turn it into something great, and go beyond the county level.

Schubert graduated from Sauk Rapids-Rice High School last year. She will be a sophomore this fall at NDSU, majoring in agriculture economics.

The Stearns County American Dairy Association will have their 10th annual "Breakfast on the Farm" this Saturday at the Kuechle Dairy Farm near Eden Valley. It runs from 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. with a cost of $5 a plate.

The Benton County American Dairy Association will be serving free ice cream cones next Saturday, June 10th at the Gilman Co-op Creamery. They're also involved in several events during Foley Fun Days. There are 87 dairy farms in Benton County.