The love for all things Hereford cattle you see and hear from Algoma’s Marie Prodell was born right in Kewaunee County.

Prodell is the Wisconsin Hereford Queen for 2023, acting as an ambassador for the breed at events held across the state including the Wisconsin State Fair. She is the first person to hold a statewide royalty position since Isabella Haen was crowned the 2018 Wisconsin State Fairest of the Fair. Prodell was on hand in West Allis this week for the beef cattle show where several breeds, including Hereford, were showcased. That included an appearance at Wednesday’s Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction where the Grand Champion Hereford entry shown by Brady Jones received $14,000.

Prodell says she carries the passion for the Hereford breed and agriculture everywhere she goes and in everything she does. That passion was born in the barns at the Kewaunee County Fair.

Prodell hopes to keep wearing a crown while championing the Hereford breed when she runs for the position of National Hereford Queen this fall. If she is successful, she would be only the fourth Wisconsinite to hold the position.

She and other Kewaunee County youth are participating in the Wisconsin State Fair through the event’s conclusion on Sunday. You can see how the participants fared at the Wisconsin State Fair by clicking this link.