Juniata County Dairy Promotion
The 2026-27 Juniata County Dairy Court. Pictured are, left side, front, Dairy Miss Sadie Brown, Dairy Ambassador Jackson Campbell; middle, Dairy Maid Julianna Capbell, Dairy Ambassador Noah Lewis; back, Dairy Maid Natelee Zug; center, Dairy Princess Jena Rissler; right side, front, Dairy Ambassador Lewis Wilson; middle, Dairy Ambassador Camden Lewis, Dairy Miss Jayde Sweger, Dairy Ambassador Levi Zimmerman; back, Alternate Dairy Princess Sandra Graybill, Dairy Maid Caylee Imes.

Sentinel Staff Reports

MIFFLINTOWN — Juniata County Dairy Promotion celebrated 50 years of service during its banquet May 3 at the Garlind in Mifflintown. The event was a celebration of the past with an eye to the future for the county industry, with special acknowledgment of many who served through the decades.

The event honored years of service by recognizing past dairy princesses. There have been 35 princesses in Juniata County since 1976. Three from past years, Mary Ruth Delbaugh Maiolo (1976), Jessica Bailor Imes (1998) and Hannah Kauffman Pennepacker (2015), shared their experiences and discussed how they shaped them as people and related the importance of teaching children about dairy.

The organization also crowned the 2026-27 Dairy Princess, Jena Rissler, and the Alternate Dairy Princess, Sandra Graybill, and recognized the 2026-27 dairy court members. Other members of the court are Dairy Miss Sadie Brown, Dairy Ambassador Jackson Campbell, Dairy Maid Julianna Capbell, Dairy Ambassador Noah Lewis, Dairy Maid Natelee Zug, Dairy Ambassador Lewis Wilson, Dairy Ambassador Camden Lewis, Dairy Miss Jayde Sweger, Dairy Ambassador Levi Zimmerman and Dairy Maid Caylee Imes.

There have been many accomplishments in 50 years, documented by Juniata County Dairy Promotion Secretary Linda Geissinger.

“Meeting with people, especially kids in schools, telling them about the milk story, how milk goes from the cow to the processing plant and to the grocery store, and to you,” Geissinger said. “Also how important it is to include dairy products in your diet in order to maintain a healthy body.”

Juniata County Dairy Promotion recognized 50 years but also looked to the future to continue its service to the community.

What is on the agenda for the next 50 years?

“Continue to spread the word that milk contains 13 essential nutrients which are important in maintaining a healthy body with strong bones and teeth,” Geissinger said. “The calcium in milk also helps eliminate the problem of osteoporosis.”

Reflecting on the past was also an opportunity to relive happy moments.

“We were so excited to meet 28 of the past princesses and thank them for promoting the dairy industry over the past 50 years,” Geissinger said. “Many of the past princesses did mention how much fun the day was and that they got to meet many people they haven’t seen for years.”