A South Dakota State University junior will spend her next year as Princess Kay of the Milky Way, representing Minnesota’s dairy industry.
Malorie Thorson, 20, of Waverly, Minnesota, was crowned the 72nd Princess Kay last month at the Minnesota State Fair. Over the next year, she will serve as a goodwill ambassador for the state’s 1,900 dairy farmers, working to connect consumers with the people who produce their food.
Her schedule includes classroom visits throughout the school year, on-farm breakfasts during June Dairy Month and appearances at community celebrations. The job also means speaking with families, answering questions about dairy farming and promoting Minnesota’s dairy products at events across the state.
“I want people to see that dairy is really a family to family connection,” Thorson said. “Ninety-four percent of dairy farms are family-owned, and we’re producing a high-quality product that goes from my family to another family’s table.”
Thorson said staying organized during the coming year will be key. She keeps her appearance requests and coursework at SDSU in the same planner so she can visualize each week and plan daily goals.
“This helps me stay energized and fully present during appearances,” she said. “The joy I get from telling the story of dairy farmers gives me the adrenaline to stay enthusiastic.”
Thorson is already making plans around annual agricultural conferences. She’s excited to thank organizations for supporting dairy farmers, while also answering their questions about the industry. Balancing school and advocacy, she said, will come down to the same strategies that have guided her through her first two years at SDSU.
The Princess Kay program is run by Midwest Dairy and began in 1954. It has become one of the most visible ways the industry promotes itself. Each year, finalists are honored with 90-pound butter sculptures of themselves displayed at the Minnesota State Fair. Thorson said the tradition’s impact surprised her.
“I met people from seven different countries and 20 states who came just to see the butter,” she said. “It’s incredible the reach that has in promoting dairy.”
Brenna Bobendrier was Princess Kay in 2020 and now works as farmer relations manager for Midwest Dairy. She said Thorson stood out during this year’s process.
“Malorie is very personable and has a passion for the dairy community,” Bobendrier said. “She’s a great communicator and that ability to connect with people will help her share dairy’s story in meaningful ways.”
The program has expanded in recent years to meet audiences where they are, whether through social media outreach, virtual classroom visits or traditional in-person events, Bobendrier said.
“We’re always looking for ways to connect with consumers,” she added. “The goal is to have authentic conversations that help people understand where their food comes from.”
Thorson is majoring in dairy production and has minors in leadership and agribusiness. Those classes at SDSU have prepared her to answer questions about everything from animal care to sustainability, she said.
“My coursework has given me a broader perspective of the industry beyond just my family’s farm,” she said.
She credits her mother, a 1996 Princess Kay finalist, as one of her inspirations. Growing up, Thorson rarely missed a coronation and said she always dreamed of following in her mother’s footsteps.
Lauren Steffl, an SDSU senior and fellow finalist, said Thorson’s personality helped her stand out during the competition.
“She’s very extroverted and bubbly,” Steffl said. “Her enthusiasm for the dairy community was obvious to everyone, and she made all of us feel welcome during the process.”
Steffl recalled that before coronation night, Thorson gathered the finalists to pray together.
“It was a meaningful moment,” Steffl said. “It showed her leadership and kindness, which are exactly what make her a strong ambassador.”
Thorson said her goal is to approach the year with authenticity. She said she thrives in busy, people-filled environments and she hopes her approachable personality will make consumers comfortable asking questions about farming.
“I love busy environments like the state fair,” she said. “People are drawn to genuine stories, and that’s how I connect best.”
With support from her family, her community and the SDSU campus, Thorson said she thinks she is ready to represent Minnesota’s dairy farmers.
“This role is about being a voice for dairy,” she said. “I want to make sure people understand the hard work and passion behind every glass of milk and every piece of cheese.”
