The local dairy industry is now accepting applications from young women wishing to compete for the District 6 Dairy Princess crown.

The winner will be a dairy industry spokeswoman for District 6 and represent the California dairy industry in appearances at schools, fairs, industry meetings, service clubs, parades and with the media. The newly selected Dairy Princess and alternate will participate in a mandatory training July 9 – 12, in which they receive professional development coaching.

Contestants must meet the following requirements: 1) Be at least 17 years old by the date of the contest and not over 21 years of age by contest date; 2) Be unmarried; and 3) Family must own a dairy farm, work for the dairy industry or show dairy cattle for a 4-H/FFA organization.

More detailed information about qualifications can be found on the application, which is available at www.californiadairypressroom.com/ca-dairy-princesses. Applicants are urged to submit their applications as soon as possible. The application deadline is May 10.

Sophia Vander Dussen of El Nido is the reigning 2018 Dairy Princess, and will be crowning the new princess. She is a fourth-generation dairy farmer and has been involved in both Chowchilla 4-H and Stone Ridge FFA, where she served as the chapter reporter. Vander Dussen also participated in volleyball, soccer, basketball, swim and golf. She plans to attend California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and major in agriculture business.

The contest is sponsored by the District 6 Dairy Princess Committee and the California Milk Advisory Board. The contest will be held June 13 at Our Lady of Assumption Hall in Turlock. The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a social hour and is followed by the contest and dinner at 7 p.m.