Fourth-grade students from D.C. Everest Riverside Elementary School cheered as Sarah Hagenow, Wisconsin's 78th Alice in Dairyland cut down the state's first official Christmas tree of the 2025 holiday season on Nov. 17 at Newby’s Evergreen Farm, near Wausau.

The honor of cutting the first tree is a cherished part of the Alice in Dairyland program, which highlights the importance of agriculture in Wisconsin. This annual tradition brings together local students, media, and community members to celebrate Wisconsin-grown Christmas trees and learn about the agricultural practices that support the industry.

Not only did students watch Hagenow wield a saw, they learned about the important role Christmas tree farms play in Wisconsin agriculture, and watched workers shake loose needles off the tr

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