Wisconsin has been known as “America’s Dairyland,” and for good reason. Explore the impact of our state’s cheese, butter, milk, and other dairy products when the Marathon County Historical Society presents “The Milk Industry in Wisconsin.” This topic in our History Speaks series will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Woodson History Center, 410 McIndoe St., Wausau.

The economic impact of dairy in Wisconsin exceeds $43 billion – four times the size of Florida’s citrus industry and 10 times Idaho’s potato empire. In this talk, Patrick Geoghegan will trace the origins of Wisconsin dairying, its evolution and its influence on so many facets of our state’s culture, and he will outline where the industry is headed.

Patrick Geoghegan is Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications for Wisconsin Dairy Farmers (formerly the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board).

There is no admission fee; however, donations are appreciated. Registration is not required.

The Historical Society is grateful to Janke Book Store and to Compass Properties for their sponsorship of the History Speaks series.

Visitors might also enjoy a guided tour of the Yawkey House Museum, or visiting our free exhibit spaces. Milking Time: Evolution of the Dairy Industry in Marathon County, shows the hard work that went into creating fields after forests were logged off, and the progress made in breeding, testing, medicine and education that enabled dairying to develop into a viable business option. Rural Electrification: Outlet for Change depicts life before and after electricity made its slow way into rural areas of Marathon County in the 1930s and ‘40s. Our Stories: The History of Marathon County features reminiscences of how people arrived in this area, and how they worked and played in days gone by.

For more information, please call the Marathon County Historical Society at 715-842-5750.