BAKERSFILED, Calif. – May 11, 2026 – Gia Wattenbarger of Bakersfield was selected as the 2026 Dairy Princess. The coronation was held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Bakersfield.
Gia will represent District 6, which includes Kern, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara counties. As Dairy Princess, she will play a key role in meeting CMAB’s community relations objectives.
Gia, daughter of David and Joni Wattenbarger, is a junior at Garces Memorial High School. She shows dairy cattle as a member of the Garces Future Farmers of America and has served as Chapter Vice President. Gia is a member of several school clubs including the National Honors Society and California Scholarship Federation. Her future plans include attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to obtain a degree in Agricultural Science with a minor in Agricultural Education.
Gia’s duties as District 6 Dairy Princess include speaking on behalf of the California dairy industry to various audiences throughout the year. As Dairy Princess, Gia will attend a professional development training week focused on presentation skills, advocating for the California dairy industry, leadership, and business etiquette.
For more information about the District 6 Dairy Princess contest and Dairy Princess events, please contact Pam Brunni at [email protected].
California is the nation’s leading milk producer, and makes more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. California is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made with milk from the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable farming practices.
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About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board
The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world. Connect with the CMAB at RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Tik Tok, Instagram, X and Pinterest.
