Why is Wisconsin "America's Dairyland"?

[raccoon]

Why not MI, MN, SD, ND? Do they have dairies too, only not as many?

[MineralMan]

1. California is the largest dairy product producing state.

There are dairies in every state, of course. Here are the top 10:

California +0.5%
Wisconsin +1.1%
New York -1.2%
Idaho +0.6%
Texas +6.6%
Michigan -0.3%
Pennsylvania -2.1%
Minnesota +0.0%
New Mexico +0.0%
Washington +2.3%

[GeorgeGist]

2. Because ...

By World War I, Wisconsin ranked first in the nation in dairy production. The state remained an industry leader throughout the 1900s. The Wisconsin Legislature promoted this reputation by placing the slogan, "America's Dairyland," on automobile license plates starting in 1940.

https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/museum/exhibits/iconwisconsin/dairyland/index.asp

[Bonx]

3. The first result when you google: Why is Wisconsin "America's Dairyland"

[MenloParque]

4. Funny

I always wondered why Wisconsin had that on their license plate when California is the leader in dairy.

[rurallib]

5. Someone once proposed "Come Smell Our Dairy Air" as a state motto

for Wisconsin. The state legislature said no.

[hatrack]

7. They also tried to get "Eat Cheese Or Die!" on license plates. . . .

Alas, didn't make it either.

[doc03]

6. They couldn't think of anything else. nt