Wisconsin is a top producer of these 9 foods

Wisconsin farmers rank very high in the nation for producing these nine foods, from cranberries to canning beets.

Everybody knows about Wisconsin’s moniker as “the Dairy State,” which is proudly proclaimed on state-issued license plates, but there’s actually more depth than this. In addition to milk and cheese, Wisconsin is also a top producer of cranberries, ginseng, honey, and more.

One reason is the high number of family-owned farms in Wisconsin, which make up 99% of the state’s farms, according to “America’s Heartland,” a nationally televised PBS series. Generation after generation, the stewards of these farms work hard to continue their traditions of growing and harvesting a certain type of agricultural product, which helps put the state on the map as a major farming destination. 

1. Ginseng

According to the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin, central Wisconsin is “the Napa Valley of American Ginseng.” Ninety-eight percent of the U.S.’s immune-boosting ginseng comes from Wisconsin. Just like some of the world’s best Cabernet Sauvignons hail from Napa, the best of the best when it comes to ginseng is grown right here in Wisconsin. The board claims Wisconsin’s ginseng is known for its “boldly bitter and aromatic qualities.”Ginseng root harvested in Wisconsin is used to make tea, capsules or supplements, and also converted into a dried or powdered form. In Marathon County, ginseng generates $40 million annually.

Ginseng root on a table. (JIB Liverpool/Shutterstock)

2. Cranberries

Harvested between late September and late October, complete with opportunities to step into a cranberry marsh wearing waders, the majority of American cranberries come from Wisconsin, a fact that’s been true since 1995. Wisconsin is also the world’s largest producer of cranberries—valued at just under $1 billion. It should come to no surprise that since 2003, cranberries have been the official state fruit. There’s even a self-guided Cranberry Highway, spanning 50 miles and incorporating many of the state’s growers near Wisconsin Rapids along with Discovery Cranberries in Warrens, an educational center all about these tart berries.

3. Tart Cherries

Another berry that grows extremely well in Wisconsin and provides cash flow to the state is the tart cherry. Also called sour cherries or Montmorency cherries, these are grown for use in pies and jams. In other words, eating them straight off the tree is not for everyone. The most common county to source them is Door County, where the Northeastern peninsula is ripe with many family-owned, tart-cherry farms. While Michigan ranks first for tart-cherry production, Wisconsin clocks in at No. 4, according to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The state produced 10 million pounds in 2023 with a value of $2 million.

4. Honey

No matter what county you’re in, Wisconsin is home to many family-owned honey farms. Some are in rural regions while others are in the suburbs of major cities. According to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Production, the state ranked 11th in the country for its honey production, which is quite a testament to Wisconsin’s $8.86 million honey industry. Many of these beekeepers are linked through the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association, an organization dating back to 1864.

5. Cheese

Wisconsin is the number-one state for cheese production, clocking in at 3.515 billion pounds. About 25% of the country’s cheese is made in Wisconsin, according to Mid-West Farm Report. This isn’t just about cheddar, nor is it about cheese curds—two of Wisconsin’s popular cheeses—as the state makes 600 varieties. Because nearly all creameries diversify their cheese, this means a lot of specialty cheese that continually racks up awards at national and international cheese competitions, two of which are hosted in Wisconsin: United States Championship Cheese Contest and World Championship Cheese Contest. Twenty-seven percent of Wisconsin’s cheese falls into a specialty category like the ones judged at these contests.

A wheel of Wisconsin cheese. (infowidget/CC BY-SA 2.0)

6. Snap Beans 

Wisconsin produces more snap beans—otherwise known as string beans—than any other state. This represents 48% of the nation’s supply, according to the USDA’s Vegetables 2023 Summary. The 2024 Summary found that the yield was 4.28 million cwt, and with the processing of snap beans and the fresh-market snap beans combined.

7. Sweet Corn

Snug in a portion of the Midwest where two surrounding states (Illinois and Iowa) are already known for growing sweet corn, Wisconsin is also a huge contributor of sweet corn. In 2023, 10.7 million cwt were harvested, according to Wisconsin State Farmer, creating a $58.3 million crop when it was processed and $25.9 million for fresh-market production. This added up to the state ranking third for sweet-corn production in 2024.

8. Canning Beets

According to “America’s Heartland,” Wisconsin is a top producer of canned beets. Different from growing beets to sell at markets for fresh consumption, canning beets is a niche agricultural industry for this root vegetable. Beets are grown with the knowledge they will be peeled, sliced, canned and preserved in glass jars, just as home preservationists do. Some of these companies have been around for a long time, including Krier Foods in Random Lake, a fifth-generation business that began in 1913. Particularly in Northern Wisconsin, sugar beets are a common crop.

Wisconsin produces beets that are perfect for canning and pickling. (sk/CC BY-ND 2.0)

9. Prepared Meats

While not an agricultural crop, prepared meats—such as corned beef, salami, ham and roast beef—are still a byproduct of Wisconsin’s farming industry. Grocers around the state are selling many regional or local brands, not just national brand names. Wisconsin ranks first in the country for its production of prepared meats, per Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.