Wisconsin to Name Lactococcus Lactis as Official State Microbe

Posted on April 20, 2010

The New York Times reports that Wisconsin will be the first state to choose an Official State Microbe. They will, of course, be selecting Lactococcus lactis, a bacterium used to make cheese.

Gary Hebl, a Democratic state representative who proposed the bill, told the Times, "The first time I heard the idea, I thought, I've got more important things to do than spending my time honoring a microbe. But this microbe is really a very hard worker."

New Scientist is thinking of some official microbes for other states, such as the ice-age bacterium Carnobacterium pleistocenium for Alaska.

The Times says Wisconsin already has another bill in motion to make cheese the official state snack.

MICROBES
FOOD