Cranberries earned title of Wisconsin's state fruit thanks to a 5th grade class project

What does the badger, the American robin, wood violet, kringle, cheese and the polka have in common? They are all iconic state symbols that have been adopted by the state Legislature. Up until the early 2000’s Wisconsin did not have an official state fruit. 

That changed on April 5, 2004, when Wisconsin lawmakers adopted the 2003 Wisconsin Act 174 and officially named cranberries as the state fruit. It's a well-earned honor as Wisconsin produces about 62% of the country’s crop, according to the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association (WSCGA).

The organization says getting the cranberry into Wisconsin's Blue Book didn't happen by accident. In fact, the achievement resulted from a yearlong class project spearheaded by fifth-grade students attending Trevor Grade School in Kenosha County.

While studying state history in the 4^th grade, students learn about state symbols. Elementary school students led the charge for having the sugar maple selected as the state tree. The popular tree was chosen by school children in a statewide vote in 1893, beating out the oak, pine and elm tree. Students and other groups often petition to have a selected item recognized for its importance to the state.

While researching state crops, students from Trevor Grade School discovered that Wisconsin cranberry growers provide over half of the nation's cranberries. This distinction pushed the cranberry ahead of the cherry as our state fruit.

Getting the symbol into the official Blue Book

WSCGA officials said students worked with their teachers to draft and introduce Assembly Bill 679 and present the story of Wisconsin cranberries to the state’s legislators. They educated lawmakers on the history of the industry and its importance to Wisconsin agriculture. They urged legislators to honor and recognize this legacy by passing a statute that designated the cranberry as the state fruit.

“The students took the lead in the effort,” said WSCGA Executive Director Tom Lochner.  “Their presentations at the hearing were so very well done.  They truly did their homework on the project. We were excited to watch the students work with the Legislative and Executive branches to present a compelling case for naming cranberries the official State Fruit.” 

Students received a valuable lesson in state government as they worked to draft a bill that would change a state statute. The fifth graders then introduced the bill to be reviewed by a legislative committee in each house (the Senate and the Assembly), get the recommendation for passage by each committee, get it voted on and passed on the floor of the Senate and the Assembly and have it signed by the Governor. Once signed, it would become an Act. 

In 2004, students and staff were joined by Governor Jim Doyle, Lochner and other members of the WSCGA at a ceremony to make it official. 

“This was a fun project,” said Jordan Lamb, WSCGA legal representative. “I think it was a great validation for Wisconsin cranberry growers of their place in Wisconsin agriculture and the importance of the cranberry to our state culture and history.” 

According to the WSCGA, more than 250 growers produce cranberries on 21,000 acres in 20 counties across central and northern parts of the state. Cranberries are also the state’s largest fruit crop in terms of both size and economic value.