Graphic of MMSD's Blue Notes from Executive Director

100 Years of Milorganite®: Growing Together Since 1926

09/17/26 09:30:am

A lot has happened in the last 100 years.

In 1926, Calvin Coolidge was President; the first woman, Gertrude Ederle, swam the English Channel; Henry Ford announced the 40-hour workweek; Route 66 was established across the United States; and “Winnie the Pooh” was published. Daniel Hoan was Milwaukee’s mayor, and the City of Milwaukee started manufacturing a sustainable fertilizer named Milorganite® (MILwaukee-ORGAnic-NITrogen) from its wastewater sludge.

MMSD Blue Notes graphic by Executive Director Kevin Shafer

The first railcar of Milorganite shipped on February, 10, 1926.

Much has changed since 1926, but not Milorganite® fertilizer production. Every day, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) processes wastewater from 1.1 million customers in 29 municipalities, putting cleaner water back into Lake Michigan and producing this sustainable fertilizer. Milorganite® is an organic-based, slow-release nitrogen fertilizer with many qualities that make it a favorite of golf courses and lawns throughout the United States.

It is not only good for the environment but also for MMSD’s ratepayers. MMSD earns around $11 million per year in the sale of Milorganite®. These earnings are put back into our budget to reduce our annual costs to our ratepayers. A win-win!

Much has happened in the last 100 years. Now, what will we do in our next 100 years?

Kevin L. Shafer Signature

Kevin L. Shafer, P.E.
Executive Director - Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District

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