The Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom program has named Chilton fourth-grader Kalvin Schneider and Mauston fifth-grader Nellie Jo Erickson as its state essay contest winners. This year, participants wrote on the theme, “Dig into Wisconsin Soil Where Good Things Grow.”
Each year, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Agriculture in the Classroom program hosts this contest to engage students in reading, writing, and research through food and agriculture. Judges evaluated the entries based on content, creativity, and grade-appropriate writing benchmarks. The annual competition invites all fourth and fifth-grade students across the state to participate.
Kalvin won the fourth-grade division. He attends Chilton Area Catholic School in Calumet County, where he studies under Mrs. Carrie Stammer. Nellie Jo won the fifth-grade division. She submitted her essay independently from Juneau County with her family’s support. Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Randy Romanski and the DATCP Board celebrated the winners at their July 9 meeting in Madison.
“Wisconsin agriculture anchors our state’s history, economy, and culture,” said Beth Schaefer, Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom Coordinator. “Fourth and fifth-grade classrooms emphasize these crucial topics as learning standards. Teachers and program volunteers ensure this contest inspires students to discover how agriculture impacts daily life. This helps young people understand the food and fiber they use every day. This year’s winners researched and wrote beautifully about Wisconsin trees, and we gladly honor these talented young writers.”
More than 1,000 students submitted essays for the competition. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation sponsors the contest alongside major partners Compeer Financial, the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, AgCountry Farm Credit Services, and GreenStone Farm Credit Services.
Volunteers judged entries through highly competitive county, district, and state levels. The program named nine district winners as state finalists, awarding them a medal and a cash prize. The final state winners received an official plaque and a $250 cash prize.
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