A fifth-grader from Independence is the winner of the Ag in the Classroom Essay Contest. Daniella Warner attends St Peter & Paul and won with her composition: “Why Crops and Plants are Important to Wisconsin Agriculture.” She writes that while she was born in Wisconsin, she did not realize until now how many different crops are grown in the state and how important agriculture is to America’s Dairyland.

A total of 1,831 students from across the state entered essays of 100 to 300 words. District winners were:

• Emily Gehring, Rossman Elementary School, Hartford, Washington County
• Isabella Howard, Clinton Middle School, Rock County
• McKenna Bowers, Mineral Point Elementary School, Iowa County
• Madie Podoll, Tri County Elementary School, Plainfield, Waushara County
• Cole Booth, Fairview Elementary School, Plymouth, Sheboygan County
• Andrea Spang, Oconto Falls Elementary School, Oconto County
• Cortney Zimmerman, Spencer Elementary School, Marathon County
• Halli Martin, Plum City Elementary School, Pierce County

The contest is sponsored by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Frontier FS and WE Energies.