Meet Maya Wiltzius of Fond du Lac, the 2025 Fond du Lac County Fairest of the Fair!
Maya is a student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she studies Animal and Veterinary Biosciences and Life Sciences Communication, with a certificate in Agricultural Business Management. Her goal is to pursue a career in the agriculture industry. On campus, Maya is actively involved in the Association of Women in Agriculture, Badger Dairy Club, Collegiate Farm Bureau, and Saddle and Sirloin. She also works in a research lab focused on dairy calves.
Currently, Maya serves as the Agriculture and Animal Science Intern for UW–Extension, where she connects with 4-H members from across the state. In addition, she works as a veterinary assistant at Forward Equine and helps at her family’s campground, Breezy Hill Campground. Her internship, coursework, extracurricular involvement, and work experience are all valuable assets as she represents the community as Fond du Lac County's 57th Fairest of the Fair.
Maya has been deeply involved in the Horse and Pony Project, serving as Youth President for two years and as a Horseless Horse Mentor for three years. As President, she focused on increasing educational opportunities and promoting member involvement. Today, she continues her support of the project as an adult volunteer, and one of her horses is shown at the county fair by a current 4-H member.
Outside of school and work, Maya and her family are passionate about their Percheron draft horses, known as Breezy Hill Thunder. These horses participate in wagon rides, parades, and shows throughout the summer. They compete at various events and county fairs across the Midwest, and next year, the family plans to drive a six-horse hitch which is a major milestone for their team.
In January 2026, Maya will represent the Fond du Lac County Fair at the Wisconsin Association of Fairs Annual Convention, where she will compete for the title of Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs. The four-day competition includes multiple rounds of interviews, on-stage speaking opportunities, professional development sessions, and a deep dive into Wisconsin’s fair industry.
As the 2025 Fairest of the Fair, Maya will serve as the official hostess of the Fond du Lac County Fair, taking place July 16–20. Throughout the year, she will make appearances at community events and share her love of the fair and agriculture. You can follow her journey on Facebook or Instagram (@fdlfairestofthefair).