The Dollop Episode 714: The Milk Strike – Live

Main Theme and Purpose

In this live episode, comedians Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds dive into the 1933 Wisconsin Milk Strike—a pivotal labor struggle between small dairy farmers and corporate milk distributors. Through their signature blend of comedic banter and historical storytelling, they unpack how Wisconsin’s dairy farmers, facing economic ruin and industry manipulation during the Great Depression, organized militant strikes for fair milk prices, ultimately clashing with both corporate interests and the state government.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introduction to Wisconsin’s Dairy Dominance

• Setting the Scene (00:46–06:24):
  • Wisconsin in the 1930s was “The Badger State,” largest US milk producer: “County of cows.” (03:01)
  • 63% of Wisconsin land was farmland; 71% of that was dairy farms.
  • “You guys aren’t fucking around?—No, we weren’t.” (04:01)
  • Despite this, it was an awful time for farmers due to economic pressures and price manipulation by big distributors and creameries.

2. Economic Pressures and Corporate Exploitation

• Large distributors artificially lowered milk prices to eliminate competition, devastating small farmers.
• “It’s big milk. Whoa. What the fuck?” (06:38, Gareth)
• Formation of farmer co-ops to counteract "Big Milk," most notably the radical “milk pool” and the more moderate “Wisconsin Farm Holiday Association.”

3. Formation and Radicalization of Farmer Co-ops

• The Milk Pool emerges as a militant faction. “The bad boys of milk.” (09:12)
• Between 1929–1932, milk prices were cut by more than half.
• “From 1929 to 1932, the price of milk was cut by more than half.” (09:13, Dave)
• Economic desperation: “Dozens, if not hundreds, are having farms and homes foreclosed upon.” (09:34, Dave)

4. Failed Negotiations and Calls for Direct Action

• In April 1932, farmers and dealers tried to negotiate with the state for a Price Control Board and foreclosure moratorium—ignored by the government.
• “The state government. I don't care.” (12:05, Dave, parodying government response)

5. Escalation: Milk Strikes and Roadblocks

• By February 1933, under Walter Singler (radical milk pool leader), farmers call a milk strike, vowing “to strike until doomsday.” (22:17)
• Main tactic: picket lines and roadblocks to halt all milk transport; search cars for dairy products.
• “They did not fuck around. Some built barricades of logs. Others stacked heavy boxes. Some laid down their bodies…” (24:29, Dave)
• If trucks bypassed pickets, another group would use spike-planks to stop them. (25:11–26:09)

6. State and Corporate Response: Escalating Violence

• Big Milk’s PR: Claiming the strike endangered children and sick people due to lack of milk ("It's just like the early days of medical marijuana." (28:45, Gareth)).
• Farm wives and children forced to churn butter and manage with meager supplies. (54:06)

7. Government “Pacification” and Crackdowns

• Governor Albert Schmediman attempts to undermine strike by demanding Singler’s removal and then closes creameries—not out of solidarity, but to prepare to "crush the strike":
  • “He was preparing the machinery of war to be used to crush the strike.” (43:19)
• National Guard and special deputies ("Dairy ICE") deployed; violence erupts.
• “With rocks and clubs, they beat back one attack after another. When gas bombs were hurled at them, they caught them and flung them back at the deputies.” (58:51, Dave)
• Farmers faced tear gas, clubbing, and lethal force; some killed, many injured.

8. Division Within the Farmer Movement

• The moderate Holiday Association repeatedly pulls out of coordinated strike actions, undermining the radical milk pool. (“What’s with them?” “We have no actual principles!” (44:19–44:35))

9. Ongoing Struggle, Partial Victory, and Federal Intervention

• Despite repression, strikes force Governor Schmediman to offer concessions, including a price control board—briefly improving prices.
• “The win in marginal increase…was almost immediately reversed…” (67:15)
• Ultimately, mounting farmer pressure helps push FDR to pass the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1933, mandating:
  • Minimum milk prices
  • Milk pooling (co-op revenue sharing)
  • Government purchase of surplus
• “In 1934, the year after the strikes, milk prices went up 37.8%.” (77:04, Dave)

10. Modern Parallels and Reflective Commentary

• Dave and Gareth relate past struggles to today’s issues: corporate land consolidation, farm crises, and disregarded farmworker welfare.
• “As farmer suicide rates skyrocket, and they go out of business.—They don’t care about that. Right.” (79:54–80:02)
• Ongoing relevance as agribusiness pushes out small farmers: “Bankrupt the farmers, and then you have four places that buy the land, and then that’s it.” (79:41–79:53, Gareth)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Comedic Highlights

• “We should turn that into a Merv Griffin production. Smell Luke's fingers.” (01:15, Gareth)
• “The military. Militant dairymen.” (08:41, Gareth)
• Extended absurd "cheese vampire" and "river of cheese" bit: (Multiple instances: 14:13, 21:23, etc.)
  • “I want you to live with me in a lair in the River of Cheese.” (46:43, Gareth)

Striking Remarks

• “We are going to strike until doomsday unless our rights are recognized and we receive cost of production plus a profit.” (22:28, Charles Goldamer)
• “So here they were... logs. But they would set one end on fire and then hold it in front of the...” (24:51, Dave)
• “With rocks and clubs, they beat back one attack after another. When gas bombs were hurled at them, they caught them and flung them back at the deputies.” (58:51, Dave)
• “The 1933 Wisconsin milk strikes show that with good organization, steely resolve and the desire to take control of the means of production, you might not be able to change your material conditions overnight, but you can scare the shit out of your governor enough that he gets the president to do what you want.” (77:13, Dave)

Grim Historical Details

• “118 year old farm boy was shot in the back by the captain of one of the companies of guards. Another farmer was pushed from a truck and killed.” (63:05, Dave)
• “Seven creameries were dynamited. Tens of thousands of pounds of milk were dumped or tainted. Another farmer was murdered.” (74:33, Dave)
• “A passenger pulled a gun and shot into the crowd. The bullet killed a six year old farmer who was just delivering food to strikers.” (75:07–75:41, Dave)

Modern Parallels & Closing

• “...You have bankrupt the farmers, and then you own the land. And then we're just in the process, right?” (79:41–79:53, Gareth & Dave)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Wisconsin’s Dairy Dominance (00:46–06:24)
• Corporate Exploitation & Economic Ruin (06:24–09:34)
• Co-ops and Radicalization (09:34–12:05)
• Failed Negotiations (11:28–12:05)
• Rally for Direct Action/Bayonets Quote (12:41–13:17)
• Rise of Walter Singler/Milk Pool (17:19–18:00)
• First Milk Strike/Roadblocks (22:02–26:09)
• Escalation and State Crackdown (Sheriffs, Violence) (56:59–59:13)
• Battle of Durham Hill (Bayonet Charge) (64:13–64:38)
• Partial Victory/FDR Bill (76:03–77:04)
• Contemporary Relevance Commentary (79:02–80:02)

Tone and Style

• The episode maintains The Dollop’s classic irreverent, improv-driven tone, with Dave as the straight man/historian and Gareth riffing comedically, sometimes spinning whimsical, surreal running gags (“cheese vampire,” “river of cheese,” “charcuterie burrito”).
• While the humor lightens the narrative, the hosts show clear outrage at corporate and government abuse, especially in the face of real human suffering.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode of The Dollop explores the 1933 Wisconsin Milk Strike, where small dairy farmers—squeezed by Big Milk and the ravages of the Great Depression—fought back through co-ops, strikes, and direct action. Despite corporate and state repression, including violence and deployment of the National Guard, the farmers’ militancy forced both state and federal concessions and cemented their role in labor history. Dave and Gareth, through comedy and sharp commentary, underline enduring parallels to the struggles of small farmers today.

Notable Quote to Sum It Up:

“You might not be able to change your material conditions overnight, but you can scare the shit out of your governor enough that he gets the president to do what you want.” (77:13, Dave Anthony)

For more laughs and history, check out the full episode—plus Gareth’s stunning rendition of “River of Cheese”!

Sources: Numerous Wisconsin and labor history publications (77:47–78:34, Dave).

Quick Hits:

• Best Cheese Vampire Song: 61:12–62:46
• Bitterest Labor History Fact: 63:05–63:34
• Sharpest Modern Political Comparison: 79:02–79:54

End of Summary.