Reynoldsburg, Ohio—Gracie Krahn, Albany, Ore., has been crowned the 62nd National Jersey Queen.

Gracie was presented the Charlene Nardone Crown by 2018 National Jersey Queen Abigail Shaw on November 9, 2019, during the Jersey Junior Banquet in Louisville, Ky.

She will represent Jersey breeders for the next year with her participation in events such as the 152nd Annual Meeting of the American Jersey Cattle Association, World Dairy Expo and The 68th All American Jersey Shows & Sales.

The National Jersey Queen contest lasted two days with nine outstanding young women from across the country competing for the coveted crown.

Gracie is a senior at Santiam Christian High School, where she is very active in the FFA, cheer team, National Honor Society and has served as an officer and member of the Leadership Council for her class. An accomplished showperson, Gracie has won numerous showmanship contests including the Intermediate Showmanship class at the All American Junior Show in 2015. She also exhibited a 2013 All American heifer who went on to be named the 2015 Reserve Junior Champion of both the Junior and Open shows. An avid participant in Jersey Youth programs, Gracie was the second place winner in the 2018 National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest.

“I am passionate about advocating for the dairy industry, especially Jerseys,” she says. “Serving as your National Jersey Queen will allow me to be an ambassador for something that has influenced my life tremendously – the Jersey cow.”

Gracie’s family owns and operates Royal Riverside Farm. They bottle their grassfed Jersey milk using the low-temp, vat pasteurization process on-farm. Their milk is distributed through several local retailers.

Katarina Emerich, Mooers, N.Y., was named first alternate in the contest. She is a sophomore at Purdue University who aspires to make her career in dairy genetics. Katarina has participated in many National Jersey Youth Development programs. She has received numerous scholarships, placed in the National Youth Production Contests, and was the third place winner in this year’s National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest.  “I have never met a more caring, passionate group of people who work so hard to promote the incredible little brown cow that has made dairy a successful career for many,” she says. “I hope to one day be looked up to for my part in promoting the Jersey.”

Rileigh Mumbulo, Canyon, Texas, was the second alternate. She was a member of the sixth Class of Jersey Youth Academy this past July. Rileigh is currently a junior at West Texas A & M University. One of her primary goals is to rebuild her family’s homestead as Gold Label Creamery with their herd of 50 Registered Jerseys.  She says, “Fortunately I am young and blessed with the encouragement of people who have made dairy farming their entire livelihood as I move forward to research the best ways to make Gold Label Creamery.”

The Queen and her court presented awards for the National Jersey Jug Futurity and The 67th All American Jersey Show, plus assisted with the clerking of The All American Jersey Sale.

The Charlene Nardone National Jersey Queen Fund provided scholarships of $500, $300 and $200 to the Queen and two alternates.

For more information, follow the National Jersey Queen program on Facebook @USJerseyQueen.