From sheep milk gelato, sheep milk cheese curds and samples of our members’ specialty cheeses to the experience of visiting a local K-12 school’s sheep farm, our Annual Gathering held at our member Carr Valley Cheese’s processing plant and retail store in La Valle on Sunday, October 16, 2022, had it all! We had quite a turn out of members and friends of the association and were honored to host such a fun and informative afternoon on all things regarding the sheep dairy industry.
The event kicked off with some socializing as everyone enjoyed some hot, delicious, deep-fried sheep milk cheese curds provided by Carr Valley. We then began our presentations given by General Manager of Carr Valley, Patty Koenig and Master Cheesemaker Bob Koenig and cheese maker Justin Snyder. During Bob’s presentation, the audience participated in a cheese tasting of artisan sheep milk cheeses from our members Carr Valley Cheese, Cedar Grove Cheese, Hook’s Cheese and Landmark Creamery. Our member and Board president Brian Michielson then took the stage to talk about his experiences with sheep milk production. Norm Monsen from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture also presented some interesting information about the industry, followed by Randi Osborne. Randi is the agriculture teacher at the local high school that runs their own sheep dairy farm and processing plant, from which they produced and provided our audience with sheep milk gelato.
During these presentations, audience members were able to ask questions and have them answered by the members of our association. This was an incredibly unique opportunity for consumers to connect with the very sheep milk producers and processers that are providing them with these wonderful products.
Our event continued at K-12 Weston School where Randi and some of her students provided our members and friends in attendance with a tour of the school’s licensed dairy processing plant where they make sheep milk gelato, the workshop where they make sheep milk soaps and their sheep farm. Attendees were able to ask more questions and experience first-hand the unique opportunities to learn about sheep milk production, processing, and marketing that the students at this school received because of amazing teachers like Randi.
We are incredibly proud and honored to be able to host this gathering every year and connect with our members of friends in person. We hope to see you at next year’s event!
