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Hey Tom, Why is Wisconsin called America's Dairyland?

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker

Few know that the impact the dairy business in Wisconsin has on the state's economy is more than twice that of the citrus industry's impact on Florida's economy and nearly nine times the economic impact as Idaho's potato industry?

Dairying in Wisconsin is not just another industry among many, but the industry that's made Wisconsin famous. It is the one industry that defines us in the eyes of our fellow Americans and in the minds of people from around the world. Wisconsin has been aninternational leader in dairy and cheese technology for more than 150 years.  Dairy farming and cheesemaking date back more than 160 years, before Wisconsin was even granted statehood in 1848. In fact, Wisconsin's first cheesemakers were farm wives who, in the 1830s, began making cheese in their kitchens as a way of storing excess milk. By 1900, Wisconsin had become a powerful player in cheese production nationally and, by 1920, was the nation's top producer. Today, about 90% of Wisconsin cheese is sold outside the state's borders. Wisconsin is home to more dairy farms than any other state- nearly 14,000 dairy operations (about 20 percent of the nation's total) caring for over 1.25 million dairy cows. The Badger State ranks first in the number of organic and grass-based dairy farms. Wisconsin leads the nation in the number of on-farm bio-energy technology installations which converts animal waste to "green energy."Wisconsin leads the country in the number of cheese plants (136), and Wisconsin is No. 1 in overall cheese production. The state's cheesemakers produce more than 2.4 billion pounds of cheese annually, 26% of the nation's total.The state is home to more than 1,200 licensed cheesemakers and is the only state with a Master Cheesemaker®Program, a sign that cheesemakers are committed to reinvesting in expertise.Thanks to the University of Wisconsin System, our state is also home to some of the country's top dairy scientists, researchers and technology experts.
 

When your are "America's Dairyland" is means more than mere numbers. The dairy business is central to our past, an important component in today's state economy and vital part of our future. Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of dairy farms in Wisconsin are still family owned and operated. Wisconsin produces more dairy products than any other state in the United States except California and leads the nation in cheese production. Wisconsin ranks second behind California in overall production of milk and butter, and third in per-capita milk production, behind Idaho and Vermont.  Wisconsin ranks first in the production of corn for silage, cranberries, ginseng, and snap beans for processing. Wisconsin is also a leading producer of oats, potatoes, carrots, tart cherries, maple syrup, andsweet corn for processing.

 Citizens of Wisconsin are referred to as Wisconsinites, although a common nickname (sometimes used pejoratively) among non-residents is "Cheeseheads." This is due to the prevalence and quality of cheesemaking in the state, and for the novelty hats made of yellow foam in the shape of a triangular block of cheese. Cheese curds are an extremely popular treat, exported as gifts throughout the country.  (Information from Wisconsin reference & Wikipedia)

 

 Tom Braatz   

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Comments(20)

Steve Mattison
Canyon de Chelly National Mo, AZ
Vietnam Veteran

I never thought of you as a cheesehead before Tom, but what do I know:)?

Aug 07, 2009 02:35 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Tom, I didn't know Wisconsin was famous for the other things you listed but I did know about cheese. We used to have a shop just for cheeses years ago and my favorites were from Wisconsin.

Aug 07, 2009 10:08 PM
Becky Brand
Shorewest Realtors - Oconomowoc, WI

Tom - you missed one of the best results of the dairy industry in Wisconsin. That's the cream puffs at State Fair!  I'll make sure to get one when I'm there next week - how about you?

Aug 07, 2009 10:46 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Tom - well I certainly knew Wisconsin was famous for cheese but was not aware of the extent of the impact. Pretty impressive. And all the other agricultural stuff too! Never heard the cheesehead nickname.

Jeff

Aug 08, 2009 02:43 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Tom, great photos....I love the one of your son on your farm, right?  those were the days...

Aug 08, 2009 03:33 AM
Tina Maraj
RE/MAX One - Fullerton, CA
Celebrating 30 Years of Real Estate Sales

Hey Tom , I love your photo of the cow. My middle name Savitri actually means "cow goddess". I love Wisconsin because you have "happy cows"!

Aug 08, 2009 03:45 AM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Steve

Die hard Packer fans will always be cheeseheads. Then again there are people all over the world that are cheeseheads and Packer fans.

Aug 08, 2009 03:57 AM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Becky

You never know when Tom Braatz will walk into your office and ask how the cream puffs were. Those things are amazing. It's hard to conceive how many cream puffs they go through 16 hours a day for 10 days straight. They sure do taste good.

Aug 08, 2009 03:59 AM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Tina

I love cows. I would get up and go out in the fields at 5 am to hug my cows and wish them good morning. From there they commenced to eat. I think that is very cool about your middle name. I could so easily be a farmer again.

Aug 08, 2009 04:01 AM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Carole

You would be amazed when you walk into cheese factories in Wisconsin. You see all these containers that the "bricks" of cheese come out of. I think it would be so peaceful to be a cheesemaker.

Aug 08, 2009 04:02 AM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Hey Jeff

I should send you one of the cheesehead hats. They are pretty impressive. You know you have arrived when you are sitting in Lambeau Field and it's 20 degrees, 70,000 people are ranting for the Packers and one can sit there in their deer hunting suit drinking beer, and be comforted by their cheesehead hat.

Aug 08, 2009 04:05 AM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Krisitn

I love that picture of my son with the Jersey steers Moe,Curly,Larry,Rodney, Bix, and I think Geddy is also in the picture. Two of my sheep Kathreen Zita and Gwenyth also walk over to say hello to Spencer.

Aug 08, 2009 04:07 AM
Debbie Aldrich
The Watts Group Real Estate - Cottonwood Heights, UT
Salt Lake City Realtor - Salt Lake County, Cottonwood Heights

Wow Tom I had no idea Wisconsin had such a rich history in dairy, I knew about the the cheese factory but you really expanded my horizons.

Aug 08, 2009 04:15 AM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Debbie

Could you imagine those cheesehead hats? There is a rich history in agriculture here; I think I could walk right back into being a farmer, a very profitable farmer.

Aug 08, 2009 04:48 AM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Tom  Cheese and tart cherries I knew, but was unaware of the others.  Absolutely excellent post about your state,  Karen

Aug 08, 2009 06:31 AM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Karen

Thank you, and Wisconsin has a lot to offer people in agriculture and hospitality.

Aug 08, 2009 07:57 AM
Diane Aurit
LKN Realty, LLC - Mooresville, NC
Lake Norman Real Estate

What great information about your state.  Of course, anyone who follows football knows what avid Green Bay Packer fans are and have seen many of those cheese hats!

Aug 08, 2009 09:47 AM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Diane

How true, those are blog posts that warrant being by themselves; cheesehats are customary at Packer games.

Aug 08, 2009 10:06 AM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Tommy,

Having grown up less than a block away from a cheese making facility, I fondly remember the smells and 'begging' for free samples...!!! Thanks,   Fran

Aug 08, 2009 03:39 PM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Fran

That has got to be some great memories. Did they make varieties of cheese or a specialty?

Aug 09, 2009 04:32 AM