Term: fur farming
Definition: Wisconsin furs have been traded on the international market for more than 300 years, beginning with the French in the 17th century. Commercial fur farming, however, did not begin until the 20th century, stimulated by the state's cold winters and a strong market for the luxury goods. Wisconsin's fur farms were booming by the 1920s, and were producing, along with Michigan and Minnesota, half of the nation's pelts. In 1940, Wisconsin had twice as many fur farms as any other state. Wisconsin's mink harvest continues to dominate national production and is traded internationally.
[Source: Wisconsin's Cultural Resources Study Units, Wisconsin Historical Society]
