Gazette Staff

PORTAGE COUNTY — Kayla Fusselman, the 2018 American Honey Queen, will visit Portage County Oct. 29-Nov. 1. She will visit Stevens Point on Nov. 1, at Bannach Elementary, and the Stevens Point Christian Academy.

Her trip is in conjunction with the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association’s annual convention at the Hotel Mead (451 E. Grand Avenue, Wisconsin Rapids, WI) in Wisconsin Rapids from Nov. 1-4.  During her stay, she will visit several schools in Wisconsin Rapids, Stevens Point, Port Edwards, Plainfield, Plover, Junction City, Pittsville, and Marshfield, speaking about the importance of beekeeping and honeybee pollination in the State of Wisconsin and throughout the United States.

Fusselman will share information on the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association’s Kids ‘N’ Bees Expo.  On Saturday, Nov. 3, Wisconsin Honey Queen Hannah Sjostrom and Wisconsin Honey Princess Lexi Gegare will be on hand at the Kids ‘N’ Bees Expo, a hands-on learning experience for children of all ages (1:00-3:00 p.m., Hotel Mead, Wisconsin Rapids).  The Kids ‘N’ Bees expo is free and open to the public.

Fusselman is the 23-year-old daughter of Brian and Diane Fusselman of Kempton, Penn.  She is a graduate of Kutztown University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in art education.  Kayla is an active alumna with the Kutztown High School FFA chapter and the Kutztown University Presidential Ambassadors.

As the 2018 American Honey Queen, Kayla serves as a national spokesperson on behalf of the American Beekeeping Federation, a trade organization representing beekeepers and honey producers throughout the United States.  The Honey Queen and Princess speak and promote in venues nationwide, and, as such Queen Kayla will travel throughout the United States during her year-long reign.

According to Fusselman, “The beekeeping industry touches the lives of every individual in our country.  In fact, honeybees are responsible for nearly one-third of our entire diet, due to the pollination services that they provide for a large majority of fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes. This amounts to nearly $15 billion per year of direct value from honeybee pollination to United States agriculture.”

For more information on Queen Kayla’s Wisconsin visit and to schedule an interview, contact Anna Kettlewell at 414.545.5514.