2018 Dairy Princess to be crowned next weekend in Petaluma

It’s Dairy Princess season, and once again, several of our local agricultural families’ most promising young women will be competing for the 2018 District 3 title. The much-anticipated annual event ­- which includes a gala dinner and ball, plus the announcement and crowning of the new Dairy Princess - is sponsored by the North Bay Dairy Women and the California Milk Advisory Board, and was established as a celebration of California’s status as the country’s leading milk, butter, and ice cream producer. Primarily though, the competition serves as a tribute to the hard work of the contestants, all of whom look forward to careers in the dairy industry, education, or other agricultural pursuits.

This year’s septet of contestants include four from Petaluma, and one each from Novato, Sebastopol, and Sonoma. Representing Petaluma are Jeanette Furlong, Grace Ghirardelli, Jackie Jones and Courtney Temple.

Furlong is the daughter of Tim Furlong and Kelly Joseph. A senior at Tomales High School, Furlong frequently shows dairy cattle at the Sonoma-Marin Fair, and plans to attend Oklahoma State University, where she will pursue her bachelor’s as a double major in agriculture education and agriculture communications.

Ghirardelli, the daughter of Louie and Dayna Ghirardelli, is a senior at Petaluma High School. She plans to attend Washington State University, to pursue a degree in viticulture-enology or occupational pediatric therapy. In addition to showing cattle at local fairs, Ghirardelli plays softball and volleyball.

Temple, a senior at Petaluma High School, is the daughter of Matt and Nicole Temple. She plans to attend the University of Nevada in Reno, and after earning her degree and teaching credential, hopes to teach elementary school.

Jones also attends Petaluma High School. She is the daughter of Jeff and Kim Jones, and currently plans to attend Oklahoma Panhandle State, pursuing a degree in agricultural business, while competing on the school’s rodeo team.

Pendleton, of Sebastopol, is the daughter of Tom Pendleton and Michelle Sawyer, and is a senior at Analy High School. After graduation, she intends to major in agriculture science and emergency medicine. Binford, a senior at Petaluma High, is the daughter of Paul Binford and Kristi Corda of Novato. She plans to attend SRJC, then transfer to Cal Poly to pursue a degree in agricultural journalism. Kiser, the daughter of Darrell and Shannon Kiser of Sonoma, is a senior at Sonoma Valley High School, with plans to pursue a degree in agriculture business at either Montana State University or Purdue University.

Each year, the winner of the title of Dairy Princess spends the year representing the dairy industry throughout Sonoma, Marin, Lake, Mendocino, Napa and Solano counties, serving as ambassador for the industry through school, media and county fair appearances. As part of her responsibilities, the newly crowned princess – along with others selected as alternates – will receive professional development coaching, provided by the California Milk Advisory Board.