MT. STERLING, Wis. – A historic cheese factory crafting award-winning goat’s milk cheeses and butter will celebrate its 100-year anniversary this year by planning a new addition and expanded artisan cheese line.
While the Mt. Sterling Co-op Creamery, a member-owned and operated cooperative with 16 patron dairy goat farms, was launched as the Southwestern Wisconsin Dairy Goat Products Cooperative in 1976, its cheese factory dates back to 1912. It was originally built to process cream into butter, with local farmers hauling cans of cream to the factory in horse-drawn wagons.
Over the years, the factory transitioned into a cow’s milk cheese plant, and then a goat’s milk cheese plant, and is the last working cheese plant in Crawford County. Today, the Mt. Sterling Co-op Creamery manufactures a full line of goat’s milk raw milk cheddars, pasteurized cheddars, country jack, mozzarella, Greek style feta and whey cream butter.
It is also specializes in an artisan line, with its first cheese, Sterling Reserve, winning national awards, including a third place at the 2011 American Cheese Society Competition. The company plans to expand its artisan line with a new cheese to be launched this fall.
“We are excited to celebrate this milestone anniversary by preparing to launch a new cheese later this year, and planning a new addition to the plant that will increase our efficiency in production,” said Patricia Lund, Mt. Sterling Co-op Creamery Marketing Director.
All of Mt. Sterling Co-op Creamery’s cheeses are 100 percent natural and made with goat’s milk from producers dedicated to sustainable farming practices. No coloring, additives or shortcuts are used, and all products are made with a non-GMO rennet.
Since its start, Mt. Sterling Co-op Creamery has enjoyed a steady growth in production and sales, with at least a 10 percent increase in sales each year during the past five years, Lund said. Today, its products are found in retail stores from coast to coast. For more information, visit: buymtsterlinggoatcheese.com
About Mt. Sterling Co-op Creamery
Mt. Sterling Co-op Creamery in Mt. Sterling, Wis., crafts a full line of world class, award-winning goat’s milk cheeses using milk from producers dedicated to sustainable farming practices. It is a member-owned and operated cooperative, launched in 1976. Learn more at buymtsterlinggoatcheese.com
Source: Mt. Sterling Co-op Creamery
