Patrick Oconnell
Wisconsin is a national and world leader in cheese production, with the state producing 26-27% of all cheese made in the United States. Wisconsin has been at the forefront of cheese production since the early 1900s, and its cheese-making tradition dates back to the nineteenth century. The state is home to more than 126 cheese plants, with almost a quarter of the country's dairy farms located in Wisconsin. The state's capital city, Ellsworth, is regarded as the Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin, hosting the annual Cheese Curd Festival. Wisconsin's cheese factories offer a range of cheese varieties, including award-winning specialties like Cedar Grove's Faarko and Donatello, as well as unique flavours crafted by Nasonville Dairy.
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What You'll Learn
Cheese factories and historic cheese shops
Wisconsin is a world leader in cheese production, with almost a quarter of the country's dairy farms. Many of these farms are family-owned and open to the public for tastings and tours. The state's cheese-making traditions are showcased in small, family-owned cheese shops that have been in business for over a century.
One such shop is Union Star, near Appleton. Founded in 1911, this tiny factory remains family-owned and operated. Visitors can learn how milk from local dairies is turned into squeaky cheese curds, and sample fresh curds, aged cheddar, and flavored Muenster cheese.
For a sustainable cheese-making experience, visit Cedar Grove, a small-scale, 100-year-old cheese factory. The tour showcases the organic, hormone-free cheese-making process and Cedar Grove's commitment to environmentally friendly practices. Sample their award-winning artisan cheeses, like the Faarko, a semi-soft blend of cow and goat's milk, and the Donatello, a rich goat's milk cheese.
The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery in Ellsworth, the self-proclaimed "Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin," is another must-visit destination. The creamery produces classic white cheddar cheese curds, as well as unique flavors like taco, garlic, and ranch. Ellsworth hosts the annual Cheese Curd Festival, featuring over 6,000 pounds of cheese curds, craft beers, local wines and ciders, live music, and a classic car show.
For a more secluded experience, the Weyauwega Star Dairy cheese factory, nestled in the small town of Weyauwega, offers tangy feta and nutty parmesan cheeses. Their famous string cheese, which once stretched 1.5 miles long, broke a Guinness World Record.
Finally, Brunkow Cheese, the oldest factory on our list at over 120 years old, offers traditional, spreadable, and crispy baked cheeses. Their Brun-uusto Baked Cheese, available in garlic or jalapeno flavors, is a must-try.
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Dairy farms
Dairy is a major industry in Wisconsin, with the state often being called "America's Dairyland". The state is a leader in cheese and dairy production, with almost a quarter of the country's dairy farms residing there. Wisconsin is also known for its cheese curds, with Ellsworth being named the "Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin" by the governor in 1984. The city hosts the annual Cheese Curd Festival, which features over 6,000 pounds of cheese curds, as well as craft beers, local wines, and ciders. The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery produces classic white cheddar cheese curds and other creamery products that are distributed nationally.
The Wisconsin dairy industry began in the latter half of the 19th century when farms across the state began switching from wheat to dairy production. The invention of the refrigerated rail car allowed farms to successfully switch to producing dairy products and raising feed crops. By 1915, Wisconsin had become the leading state for dairy production, and it remains a top producer today, known for its prize-winning, high-quality cheese.
However, in recent years, there has been a decline in the number of dairy farms in Wisconsin, with about half of the dairy farms closing down since 2005 due to increased competition from large factory farms and rising tariffs on dairy products. In 1968, there were 71,000 dairy farms in the state, but that number has dropped significantly, with only around 7,000 dairy farms remaining in 2020. Despite this, dairy farming in Wisconsin continues to be an important industry, with many family-owned farms open to the public for tastings and tours.
Visitors to Wisconsin can explore its cheese-making tradition by visiting historic cheese factories and dairy farms, sampling various cheeses, and learning about the cheesemaking process. Some popular destinations include the Door County Creamery, a goat dairy farm offering tours and cheese sampling, and the Union Star factory near Appleton, which has been family-owned and operated since 1911. The Weyauwega Star Dairy cheese factory, nestled in the small town of the same name, is another family-owned gem known for its tangy feta and nutty parmesan cheeses, as well as its record-breaking string cheese. For those interested in sustainability, the Cedar Grove cheese factory offers a glimpse into organic and environmentally friendly cheese-making practices.
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Goat farms
Wisconsin is a leader in cheese production, with almost a quarter of the country's dairy farms located in the state. Many of these farms are family-owned and open to the public for tastings and tours. The state is also a leader in dairy goat production, with over 74,000 milk goats as of January 1, 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service. This makes Wisconsin the perfect place to visit some goat farms and learn about goat cheese production.
One such place is LaClare Family Creamery, a goat cheese manufacturer located northeast of Fond du Lac. LaClare offers a self-guided tour that includes a visit to the goat farm, as well as the opportunity to sample their award-winning goat cheese and other specialty products in their shop. LaClare was founded by Larry and Clara Hedrich, who started with a small dairy goat farm and now employ 80 people across their dairy farm, creamery, greenhouse, cafe, and retail shop. LaClare is dedicated to sustainability and sources its milk exclusively from dairies within 10 miles of its creamery, reducing transportation emissions.
Another option is the Door County Creamery, a cheese shop and goat dairy farm that offers tours and the chance to sample locally-made cheeses and homemade gelato. During the tour, you can meet the farm animals and visit the shop, which sells goat cheese, spreads, handcrafted soaps, and more. Door County is also home to the Door Artisan Cheese Company, which ages award-winning specialty cheeses on-site and offers a viewing window for visitors to see the cheesemaking process.
For those interested in a more historic cheese-making experience, the fourth-generation, family-owned Weyauwega Star Dairy cheese factory offers a unique detour. Here, you can sample their famous string cheese, as well as their tangy feta and nutty parmesan cheeses. In addition to cheese, they also offer a variety of local goods, including beef sticks, sausage, and jams.
Whether you're looking for a large-scale or small-scale operation, Wisconsin has something to offer when it comes to goat farms and cheese production. With its passion for cheesemaking and commitment to sustainability, a visit to one of these farms is sure to be a memorable experience.
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Cheese curds
Wisconsin is a national and world leader in cheese production, with almost a quarter of the country's dairy farms residing in the state. Many of these farms are family-owned and open to the public for tastings and tours. The state's cheese is not only produced sustainably but is also prize-winning, with Wisconsin hosting the World Championship Cheese Contest annually and taking home top honours.
Other places to find cheese curds in Wisconsin include the Mars Cheese Castle in Kenosha, which sells sharp cheddar, curds, and chocolate cheese fudge, as well as local sausages and wines. The Door County Creamery in Door County offers tours of its cheese shop and goat dairy farm, allowing guests to sample locally made cheeses and homemade gelato, as well as meet the farm animals. The LaClare Family Creamery, located northeast of Fond du Lac, is another goat cheese manufacturer that offers self-guided tours, including a goat farm visit. The Union Star cheese factory in Appleton, founded in 1911 and still family-owned and operated, is known for its fresh curds, aged cheddar, and flavoured Muenster cheese.
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Cheese-themed festivals
Wisconsin is a national and world leader in cheese production, with almost a quarter of the country's dairy farms residing in the state. Many of these farms are family-owned and open to the public for tastings and tours. The state's cheese is not only produced sustainably but is also prize-winning, with Wisconsin hosting the annual World Championship Cheese Contest.
Wisconsin's cheese-themed festivals are a testament to the state's love for cheese. One such festival is the annual Cheese Curd Festival held in Ellsworth, the "Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin". The festival features over 6,000 pounds of cheese curds, as well as craft beers, local wines and ciders, live music, a classic car show, and food vendors selling everything from classic-style to cinnamon sugar dessert curds.
Another popular cheese-themed festival in Wisconsin is the Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival in Little Chute. This three-day family event offers live music, food booths, carnival rides, a parade, a fun walk/run, cheese tasting, a cheese curd-eating contest, children's games, and more.
The Wisconsin Cheese Fest is another gathering of cheese makers and cheese lovers, farmers, artisans, and vendors to celebrate what Wisconsin is best known for. The festival features Americana, country, folk, and bluegrass music, whiskey, wine, craft beer, fun contests, educational presentations, and, of course, lots of cheese!
In addition to these festivals, Wisconsin offers a variety of cheese shops, factories, and dairy farms that visitors can explore. Some notable places to visit include the Mars Cheese Castle in Kenosha, the Door Artisan Cheese Company in Door County, the Dane County Farmers Market in Madison, and the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery in Ellsworth.
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Frequently asked questions
There are over 126 cheese plants in Wisconsin, with the majority located in the eastern and southern regions of the state. Some notable cheese factories include the fourth-generation, family-owned Weyauwega Star Dairy cheese factory, the 100-year-old Cedar Grove, and the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, which is located in the self-proclaimed "Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin".
Wisconsin is the top producer of many popular cheese varieties, including Cheddar, American, Mozzarella, Brick, Muenster, and Limburger. Wisconsin is also the only producer of several types of cheese, such as Colby, Cold Pack, and Colby.
There are many specialty cheese shops across Wisconsin, including the Mars Cheese Castle in Kenosha, the Door Artisan Cheese Company in Door County, and Fromagination in the capital city.
Yes, many of the cheese factories in Wisconsin offer tours. For example, the Willow Creek Cheese facility in Berlin, the LaClare Family Creamery near Fond du Lac, and the Door County Creamery offer tours where you can learn about the cheesemaking process and sample locally-made cheeses.
Commercial cheesemaking in Wisconsin dates back to the nineteenth century, with early operations taking place on farmsteads in the Michigan and Wisconsin territories. Large-scale production began in the mid-1800s, and Wisconsin became the largest producer of cheese in the United States in the early 1900s.
