If you think about it, there are some pretty unmistakable signs when it comes to summer in Wisconsin.
The excitement of a county fair. The smell of fresh-cut hay. And, of course, the race to finish an ice cream cone before the sweet treat melts down your hand!
Ice cream has a story all its own. And Wisconsin’s new Alice in Dairyland, Anastasia Poull, has the scoop on how it typically begins on a dairy farm in the state.
“Ice cream is a very big deal here in the state of Wisconsin,” Poull explained. “One example is the week leading up to the Fourth of July. It’s actually the highest week in ice cream sales.”
Just how much do we love our ice cream? Consider this, when close to two million pints disappeared from grocery store freezers across the state during that time period.
But for Poull, the numbers aren’t just impressive. This is personal, too.
She grew up near Belgium, Wisconsin, and spent countless hours on her grandparents’ dairy farm. It’s where the early mornings, caring for the cows, and those family traditions sparked a lifelong passion for agriculture. The journey eventually led her to earn degrees in animal science, leadership, and communications before stepping into one of Wisconsin agriculture’s most recognizable roles.
She’ll be traveling the state as Alice in Dairyland for the next year, connecting consumers with the people who produce their food.
“Only about two percent of the U.S. population is directly connected to agriculture,” Poull said. “I think there’s a lot of opportunity for education and improving agricultural literacy.”
Every Scoop Starts with a Cow
Before the waffle cone. Before the chocolate drizzle. Before the cherry on top.
There are dairy cows quietly doing what they do every day.
The Badger State is home to nearly 5,000 dairy farms which supply the high-quality milk used to make ice cream and frozen custard.
“It takes about two to three gallons of milk to make one gallon of ice cream,” Poull shares. “One cow can actually produce enough milk for three gallons of ice cream in a day.”
It’s also a reminder that every delicious spoonful represents a lot of hard work.
Wisconsin’s Ice Cream Legacy
Our love affair with frozen treats stretches back more than a century.
One of the state’s claims to fame comes from Two Rivers, where local history credits the community with serving one of the nation’s first ice cream sundaes in 1881.
“It used to only be sold on Sundays for a nickel,” Poull said with a laugh. “I’m very glad it has branched out beyond that day.”
Today, Wisconsin’s dairy tradition continues through close to 49 licensed ice cream plants, producing the frozen favorites found in grocery stores, ice cream parlors, and stands across the state.
Try a Cheesy Twist on Dessert
Think cheese belongs on a cracker?
Think again.
Poull is encouraging home cooks to experiment with one of the state’s most versatile cheeses – mascarpone.
The soft, creamy cheese is the secret ingredient in one of her favorite recipes: cookies and cream mascarpone ice cream.
“Mascarpone is one of the more than 600 varieties, types and styles of cheese we make in Wisconsin,” she said. “It’s a little sweeter and more decadent. And it’s a great way to elevate your homemade ice cream.”
It’s also proof that dairy innovation doesn’t stop at the cheese counter.
Sharing What’s Behind Our Dairy Story
Poull will be spending the next year visiting farms, schools, fairs, and communities – from one corner of the state to the other – and beyond.
She feels every conversation is a chance to connect consumers with the people behind their favorite foods.
“I’m very excited to attend all the events, and to connect with those who have amazing stories to tell,” she said.
So the next time you’re enjoying a scoop of your favorite Wisconsin ice cream, whether it’s on your front porch, at the county fair, or from your local shop, take a moment to think about where it all began.
Behind every cone is a dairy cow.
Behind every gallon is a farm family.
And behind every scoop is a wonderful Wisconsin story.
More Information on Alice
Poull officially began serving as Wisconsin’s 78th Alice in Dairyland this summer and says she’s excited to share our agriculture story.
“It gets fast and furious,” she said, describing the schedule ahead. “But I’m very excited to attend all the events, continue learning outside the classroom, and connect with people who have amazing stories to tell.”
She’ll also be a familiar face at this year’s Wisconsin State Fair and in classrooms across the state as part of Alice in Dairyland’s educational outreach.
You’ll find recipes, dairy facts, local ice cream shops, and ways to celebrate National Ice Cream Month, every month, at WisconsinDairy.org.
You can also follow Alice in Dairyland on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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