A fourth grader school student from Waushara County is the statewide winner of the Agriculture in the Classroom's Essay Contest. Elli Rettler's paper was about how Wisconsin soybean farmers fuel the state's economy.
"Our jobs as seeds have only started, and whether we stay in Wisconsin or move across the ocean, we're in high demand," the essay said from the viewpoint of a soybean. "Some of us are used in making ink, crayons, oil, tofu, biodiesel fuel, animal food, milk, tires, and many other products. Can you imagine all of the jobs that are part of making, selling, and using these products? One use that surprised me is that more than 90 percent of America’s daily newspapers use soy ink. Now, that's a lot of reading!"
Rettler attends Tri-County Elementary School near Plainfield. She was one of nearly 1,500 students who wrote essays for the competition. Each district winner will receive a prize package including a plaque, books about soybeans, Culver's gift card, Agriculture Fast Match game, Trivia cards, and 'I Love Soybean' mug.
The essay contest is sponsored by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation, Wisconsin Soybean Program and We Energies.
Other district winners were Grace Hying, Franksville; Bentley Johnson, Janesville; Grace Varo, Seneca; Devin Herricks, Cashton; Madalyn Novak, Kiel; Lauryn Peters, Peshtigo; Shelby Yates, Merrill; and Gracie Benson, Ladysmith.
The Ag in the Classroom is a program to help students K-12 to explain the importance of agriculture.
Categories: Wisconsin, Education