WAUSAU – Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Ben Brancel announced Riley Olbrantz of Newman Catholic Elementary School: St. Anne in Wausau as the state winner in the Bonnie Plants 3rd Grade Cabbage Program on Wednesday. Olbrantz’s winning cabbage weighed in at 28.6 pounds. Last spring Bonnie Plants distributed free cabbage plants to more than 11,300 Wisconsin third grade students, who took them home to grow during the summer. Teachers submitted a class winner in fall, and the state winner was randomly selected from these entries. The cabbage plants are the O.S. Cross variety, which is known for producing giant, oversized heads. “Growing food is hard work! I hope this experience gives Riley an excitement about growing produce,” said Brancel. “Riley represents every student in Wisconsin that participated in the Bonnie Plants 3rd Grade Cabbage Program last year. If this activity leads to a lifelong interest in agriculture and appreciation of food production, we all win.” Olbrantz received her cabbage plant on April 14 and began growing it in a pot in the living room window. As the plant grew, her family helped her build a raised garden for her cabbage plant in the backyard, complete with chicken wire on the sides to keep the rabbits away and tulle on the top to keep the bugs away. Olbrantz watered her cabbage each day until she picked it on July 29. The cabbage is still being eaten and enjoyed by Olbrantz’s neighbors. Olbrantz is now in fourth grade. As the state winner, she received a certificate of achievement and a $1,000 scholarship from Bonnie Plants. Olbrantz plans to become a veterinarian when she grows up, because she loves animals and wants to help them. Wisconsin ranks first in the nation in production of cabbage for sauerkraut, growing 27% of the U.S. total. The state harvested 2,900 acres of fresh market cabbage last year, a value of more than $10 million.
