South Royalton, VT—Tom Gilbert has had an impressive 28-year career making cheese at such lauded Vermont dairies as Blythedale Farm, Plymouth Cheese Factory, Spring Brook Farm and, most recently, Vermont Farmstead Cheese. Last October, however, he decided to get his hands out of the cheese vats when he joined South Royalton-based Bob-White Systems as Sales Director. "I had been so focused on making cheese every day and decided it was time to focus on supporting the resurgence of the small, farmstead dairy," says Tom. "I am still very passionate about cheese but wanted to redirect my energy to helping sustain Vermont agriculture in a new way."
Tom is joined by experienced cheesemaker, Ryen Leach, who created farmstead cheeses at Prodigal Farm in North Carolina. Together Tom and Ryen are spearheading the expansion of the company’s line of cheesemaking equipment, which includes the introduction over the course of this year of eight to ten cheesemaking kits to their already expansive line of cheesemaking supplies. “We want Bob-White Systems to be the go-to company for Micro Dairies who want to produce safe and delicious farm-fresh milk for their local communities,” says Tom. "We feel pretty strongly that there is a growing population of folks who simply want to get back to basics. They want to be proactive about where their food comes from. They want it to be local, and, if possible, they want to help produce it. Bob-White Systems has the expertise and experience to deliver the right physical tools and knowledge to help people fulfill this dream.” Ryen Leach adds, "The Bob-White systems kits are designed to be easy and educational to encourage anyone with a surplus milk supply and a do-it-yourself attitude to make cheese."
Tom and Ryen recognize that there are aspects of cheesemaking that can be intimidating, such as the fact that it requires a great deal of attention. But, the process is not overly sophisticated or complicated. “Anyone can do it,” says Tom. Of course not all cheese lends itself to such small-scale production. This is why he and Ryen have carefully chosen three basic cheeses—Mozzarella & Ricotta, Feta and fresh Chèvre—as the first three kits available for sale. Tom and Ryen developed all of the recipes. “The kits are all-in-one,” he says. “They contain everything that our customers will need, except the milk and a stove. It is as simple as following the directions.”
“My goal is to pass on my enthusiasm and love for cheesemaking, guided by my expertise,” he says. “I want customers to tap into similar feelings about making fresh cheese. I want to support them. I want to help them.” Look for more cheesemaking kits to be introduced throughout this year available online at BobWhiteSystems.com.
About Bob-White Systems
Bob-White Systems is bringing the cows back home by creating the technology, manufacturing the equipment, and generating the knowledge for the local, farmstead, and homestead production of pure, farm fresh milk and cheese. Located in South Royalton, Vermont, Bob-White Systems is committed to making it possible for every small or rural community to enjoy safe, fresh, and delicious milk and cheese produced by local, Micro Dairy farms. By designing, equipping, and helping to manage small Micro Dairy operations, Bob-White Systems reduces dairy start-up and operating costs, helps farmers enjoy more profits, and enables communities to produce and purchase their own local milk. More information is available at www.bobwhitesystems.com. Receive up to date information online at Twitter: @FarmsteadDairy and on Facebook: FarmsteadDairy.
Source: Bob-White Systems
