The valleys are short, have mostly very steep sides and are from 300 feet to 400 feet below the ridge tops. The northeastern and east-central parts of the county are part of the lake basin of Glacial Lake Wisconsin. Relief in this part of the county is very mild compared to the rest of the county. Land use in Monroe County is split between the non-glaciated and Glacial Lake Wisconsin portions of the county. The non-glaciated portions are used primarily for agriculture.
Dairy farming is still the dominant form of agriculture in Monroe County.
The land not used for cranberries is used for agriculture and recreation land. The number of dairy farms in Monroe County is decreasing, but the herd sizes are increasing. Many dairy farmers who wish to discontinue farming, or are retiring, are selling their land to recreational buyers. In 1973 there were 54 agricultural land sales in Monroe County. In 23 of these sales, agricultural land was diverted to other uses.