Twenty young writers were named state finalists in the Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom Essay Contest. Wisconsin fourth and fifth graders were asked to author an essay with the theme “Dig Into Wisconsin Soil Where Good Things Grow” as part of the annual essay contest that focuses on food and agriculture. The contest is open to all fourth and fifth grade students across the state, with each grade level judged as its own division.
More than 1,000 students from 33 counties submitted essays for the contest. County winners in both fourth and fifth grade moved for consideration as a Top Ten Essay Award Winner and are now vying for the title of state winner.
In support of this contest, 51 county Farm Bureaus donated over 900 books and educational resources to local schools and libraries across Wisconsin.
The top ten finalists in each grade category received a prize package including a medal, certificate and cash prize. This year’s state essay contest finalists are:
Fourth-Grade State Finalists
- Gavin Kaltenberg, St. Boniface, Buffalo County
- Kalvin Schneider, Chilton Area Catholic School, Calumet County
- Jillian Rentmeester, St. Jerome School, Columbia County
- Clio Johnson, Arboretum Elementary – Waunakee, Dane County
- Maddison Doran, Juda School, Green County
- Shelby Kelley, Wonewoc-Center School, Juneau County
- Lauren Haun, St. Paul Ev. Lutheran, Monroe County
- Mark Newborn, Roosevelt Elementary – Janesville, Rock County
- Kensi Hruby, Saint Aloysius – Sauk City, Sauk County
- Everly Peissig, Stetsonville Elementary – Medford School District, Taylor County
Fifth-Grade State Finalists
- Adrianne Killion, Pioneer Elementary School– Green Bay, Brown County
- Robynn Lindner, Chilton Area Catholic School, Calumet County
- Isla Steffes, Rio Elementary School, Columbia County
- Natalya Catterson, Waunakee Intermediate School, Dane County
- Mazie Beyrer, Colfax Elementary, Dunn County
- Nellie Erickson, Home School Student, Juneau County
- Jose Garcia Jr, Samuel Clemens School – Milwaukee Public, Milwaukee County
- Claire Waldner, Rural Virtual Academy – Chequamegon, Price County
- Brody Smith, Whitehall Elementary School, Trempealeau County
- Claire Selle, New London Intermediate, Waupaca County
The state winners will be notified later this month and formally announced at an award ceremony at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection in July. State winners will receive a plaque and cash prize provided through the generous support of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation and leading partners Compeer Financial, Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and AgCountry Financial.
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