The National Guernsey Convention has long been recognized for the many exciting opportunities and contests that it offers youth to participate in. Youth from across the country traveled to the convention to compete in the many contests and recognition programs offered by the American Guernsey Association. At the recently concluded National Guernsey Convention in Dubuque, Iowa, numerous awards were presented for outstanding performance within the Guernsey breed.

Each year at the National Convention the National Guernsey Queen and Princess are crowned. During their one year reign as queen they serve as ambassadors for the Guernsey breed making appearances on behalf of the American Guernsey Association (AGA), speaking with visitors at AGA trade show booths and assisting at national shows. The selection process for queen and princess is based on their public speaking ability, as-well-as poise, knowledge of the industry and their ability to positively represent AGA as a spokesperson.

At this year’s 2018 American Guernsey Association Annual Meeting in Dubuque, Iowa, held June 26-30 Rachel Grober of Ionia, Iowa, was crowned the 2018 National Guernsey Queen. Rachel is the 18-year-old daughter of Todd and Sherry Grober of Grober Dairy, Ionia, Iowa. Upon graduation, Rachel plans to attend Iowa State University with a major in both Dairy Science and Agriculture and Society. She looks forward to carrying on the legacy of the family farm alongside her brothers. Being involved in the dairy industry has been a large part of Rachel’s life. She has served as the Iowa State Dairy Princess, Iowa Guernsey Princess and Chickasaw County Dairy Princess.

Assistant herdsman is the responsibility of Rachel on her family farm. She manages the breeding operation as well as the feeding and health operations for the calves. Rachel was not born into a Guernsey-based dairy farm. She emphasizes that her choice of Guernseys is due to their high quality of milk, efficiency in production and profitability. Rachel writes, “The Guernsey cow has a high economic value because it has the ability to produce high percentages of protein and butter fat. Thus, making their milk a healthier choice for consumers.”

Jamie Trotter of Enon Valley, Pennsylvania was crowned the 2018 National Guernsey Princess. Jamie is the 21-year-old daughter of David and Jill Trotter. She resides on Trotacre Farm in Enon Valley, Pennsylvania. Jamie has three older sisters: Abigail, Bethany, and Cara who have all been thoroughly involved in the National Guernsey Association. Each of them have served as the Pennsylvania Guernsey Queen and held national titles as well. Her father, David Trotter, recently served as President of the National Guernsey Association. Her grandfather, James Trotter, is also extensively involved in the Guernsey community throughout his years.

The youngest in her family, Jamie has attended numerous conventions, sales and shows beginning in the late 1990s. She watched and learned from her sisters’ involvement, waiting to make her own impact on the Guernsey community. Since then, Jamie has competed and place in many speaking contests, Guernsey shows, and was recently crowned Pennsylvania Guernsey Queen during the convention. Jamie is a junior at the Pennsylvania State University where she is majoring in Early Childhood Education, and minoring in Special Education. She wants to use her talents of communication to promote agriculture and the Guernsey breed in her own classroom, and school community. The 2014 National Guernsey princess is Laura Jensen of Comstock, Wisconsin.

Rachel and Jamie will be traveling the country representing the American Guernsey Association at national shows and events throughout the year.

The American Guernsey Association is dedicated to the advancement and promotion of the Guernsey dairy cows. The American Guernsey Youth Association boasts membership of over 700 young people nationwide.