Milwaukee County is Rooted in Agriculture
Milwaukee County's remarkable agricultural story and its deep connection to Alice in Dairyland.
When the Alice in Dairyland Finals returns to Milwaukee County in May 2027, the program is coming back to a place with a remarkable agricultural past and a thriving agricultural present.
Built on Agriculture
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Long before "Brew City" was a nickname, Milwaukee County was a grain city. In the mid-1800s, Milwaukee became one of the nation's most important grain hubs — a natural gateway between Wisconsin's fertile farmlands and the markets of the world. By 1862, Milwaukee was the largest wheat-shipping port on the globe.
That agricultural heartbeat shaped everything that followed. The grain trade fed a booming brewing industry. By the late 1800s, Milwaukee was home to some of the world's most celebrated breweries, including Pabst, Schlitz, Blatz, and what would become Miller. Each one relied on Wisconsin barley, hops, and grain.
The farms that fed the city's workforce also set the stage for something else: a world-class meat processing and sausage-making tradition. Companies like Usinger's, Klement's, and Patrick Cudahy built Milwaukee County's sausage and meat heritage that also became part of the city's identity.
Agriculture in
Milwaukee County Today​
Agriculture didn't fade when Milwaukee County became Wisconsin's most urban county. Today, Milwaukee County is home to more than 3,700 food and beverage companies — making it one of the most significant food and beverage manufacturing regions in the country. From neighborhood start-ups reinventing local food systems to world-renowned brands shipping products across the globe, the range is remarkable. The sector employs more than 141,000 people, touching virtually every corner of the local economy.
Milwaukee County is transforming what agriculture looks like. Urban farms, vertical growing operations, and community gardens are taking root across the county, producing fresh greens and vegetables for local tables and proving that farming doesn't require wide-open fields. It requires creativity, commitment, and community.
Milwaukee County is also home to companies that support farmers well beyond our borders. Food processors, ingredient suppliers, and agricultural businesses support Wisconsin farmers and connect them to consumers and markets around the world.
Each summer, Milwaukee County opens its gates to the Wisconsin State Fair — one of the most beloved annual events in the state. Held in West Allis and welcoming around one million visitors each year, the State Fair is where urban and rural Wisconsin come together, sharing pride in the farms, foods, and traditions that define this state.​​
Where Alice Began​
Milwaukee County is also key to Alice in Dairyland’s story. In 1948, Milwaukee County hosted the very first Alice in Dairyland selection, held as part of the Wisconsin Centennial Exposition at the State Fair. The State Fair and Milwaukee County served as the home for Alice in Dairyland for several of those first years.
Over the decades, Milwaukee County sent three of its own to serve as Alice in Dairyland:
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4th Alice — Marjean Czerwinski, Milwaukee
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21st Alice — Roberta Thoreson, West Allis
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22nd Alice — Judith Schultz, South Milwaukee
Milwaukee County last hosted the Finals in 1964. Now, more than 60 years later, we're bringing Alice home. The 80th Alice in Dairyland Finals returns to where it all began — and we could not be more proud to welcome Alice, the Top Candidates, and Wisconsin's agricultural community back to Milwaukee County.