AROUND THE COMMUNITY: Alice in Dairyland seeks host counties

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting bids from counties to host the Alice in Dairyland Finals in 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027. Proposals are due by Aug. 15.

Each year, a different county hosts a series of Alice in Dairyland Finals events leading up to the selection of the next Alice . Local economic development organizations and promotional agriculture organizations are encouraged to consider this opportunity to welcome visitors and media professionals from around the state to their county.

The planning process begins at least a year in advance, including scheduling the current Alice in Dairyland to attend monthly events in the county to promote the finals and learn more about the impact of agriculture on that county. In mid-March, the host county holds a press conference to officially announce the top candidates for the next Alice in Dairyland.

The hosting process culminates in a three-day finals event, which includes agribusiness tours, media interviews, an impromptu question and answer session, individual interviews and candidate presentations. The impromptu question-and-answer session and finale banquet are open to the public as ticketed events and include opportunities to showcase local businesses, agritourism, and other county highlights.

For information about the Alice in Dairyland program, visit https://www.aliceindairyland.com.

Students honored for spelling, mathematics

The Lena Knights of Columbus presented awards for its annual knowledge contest May 27 at Lena Middle School.

Sophia Perlot won first place in the eighth-grade spelling contest, while Dominic Pagels won second. Perlot went on to win first place at the Diocesan Eighth Grade Spelling Contest held in De Pere. From there she won second place for the State Eighth Grade Spelling Contest in Wisconsin Rapids. The Knights presented Perlot with a $50 cash award in addition to the awards the state Knights had given her.

Other winners include:

• Fifth grade math: Ariann Whiting, first; Lucas Mongiat, second.

• Fifth grade spelling: Sidney Pirlot, first; Hayzel Thomson, second.

• Sixth grade math: Isaac Peterson, first; Reid Sellen, second.

• Sixth grade spelling: Sopia Lipp, first; Alia Comins, second.

• Seventh grade math: Dash Comins, first; Adrena Rabas, second.

• Seventh grade spelling: Riley Kipp, first; Dash Comins, second.

• Eighth grade math: Noah Lasley, first; Blake Behnke, second.

Local FFA chapters increase their ranks

The Pride Membership Award recognizes Wisconsin FFA chapters for increasing their membership by 10 members or more in the last year. These chapters have successfully been able to recruit and share the benefits of FFA with a variety of new students.

The following chapters have increased their membership by at least 10 members: Bowler, 17; Gillett, 32; Gresham, 14; Lena, 11; Pulaski, 29; Shawano, 30; Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 26.

DNR seeks artists for annual stamp contest

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is now accepting artwork entries and encourages artists to submit their work for the 2023 Wisconsin wild turkey, pheasant and waterfowl stamp design contests. The winning designs will appear on the 2023 collection of stamps.

Each year, local artists from around Wisconsin compete for an opportunity to have their artwork commemorated in a historic way on the wild turkey, pheasant and waterfowl stamps.

“This is the 26th year of the turkey stamp contest. It’s a historic opportunity for artists to commemorate their talent and provide opportunities for wildlife and wildlife habitat management,” said Alaina Gerrits, DNR Wildlife Biologist. “Artists are encouraged to use the contest to showcase their creative expression while capturing the charisma of native Wisconsin birds.”

Sales of these three stamps bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for species management throughout the state, including habitat management, restoration, education and research projects. Hunters are required to purchase stamps to harvest these game birds.

The contest is open to anyone 18 or older living in Wisconsin who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. Artwork must meet technical requirements to be eligible, and applicants should carefully review the contest rules to ensure their entries’ eligibility.

The deadline to submit stamp designs is July 15. Judging will take place in late July or early August.

Rules, entry information and reproduction rights agreements are available on the DNR website, dnr.wisconsin.gov.