The winning flavor features rich chocolate ice cream representing the fertile farmland of Wisconsin, walnut pieces for the northern woodlands, ribbons of caramel representing the mighty Mississippi and other rivers in Wisconsin, and pieces of cheesecake for the state’s long-standing history of cheese production, Cedar Crest said.

Finalist include:

• White Cedars 4-H Club, Winneconne, Wis.; Ant Hill flavor; led by Chelsy Cegielski.
• Mississippi Mud 4-H Club, La Crosse, Wis.; Lunar Mud flavor; led by Tina Johnson.
• Magnolia 4-H Club, Evansville, Wis.; Pina Moolada flavor; led by Shelly Andrews.
• Big Elk Badgers 4-H Club, Phillips, Wis.; Logger Loot flavor; led by Jodie Kadlecek.

According to Brenda Scheider, executive director of the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, the contest is a great opportunity for 4-H youth to work together to develop and name their flavor.

“The most exciting part of the contest is the winning flavor will be available through Cedar Crest beginning in July,” she said.

The annual contest has already yielded popular flavors, including last year’s winner, Wisconsin Campfire S'more created by Springbrook 4-H Club of New Richmond, Wis.; Deep Woods, created by the Badger Boosters 4-H Club of West Bend, Wis.; and Deep Space, developed by the Baraboo Valley 4-H Club.

“We are proud to support this annual contest and partner with the 4-H organization,” said Ken Kohlwey, Cedar Crest president. “It’s really exciting each year to see the enthusiasm, creativity and teamwork shown by the kids in coming up with a unique flavor. We look forward to sharing the winning entry with our consumers.”

A panel of ice cream experts chosen by Cedar Crest judged the entries. The company manufactures more than 80 flavors of ice cream, along with frozen custard, gelato and sherbet at its Manitowoc, Wis., plant, and distributes products in five states. Many of the flavors now produced by Cedar Crest, including Wisconsin Campfire S’mores, are a result of the contest.