We’re all about cheese

Wisconsin Cheese Originals is an organization dedicated to sharing information about new artisan cheeses and cheesemakers. We host a variety of events — seminars, receptions, tours, even an annual cheese festival -- celebrating the hundreds of original cheeses made in America's Dairyland.

Become a member and you can expect to:

• Celebrate cheese and learn more about why Wisconsin Original Cheeses taste so good (hint: it has to do with Wisconsin’s sweet soils, the grasses those soils produce and the milk produced from the grass).
• Taste new artisan, farmstead & specialty cheeses before some products even come to market and give feedback to the cheesemaker.
• Learn more about the difference between the tangy brightness of goat’s milk cheese, the nutty, buttery richness of sheep’s milk cheese and the sweet fullness of cow’s milk cheese.
• Get the inside scoop on the Wisconsin cheese industry and become connected to a network of cheese geeks.

Membership has its privileges

Membership is open to any individual with an interest in Wisconsin cheese. We also encourage farmstead, artisan and specialty cheesemakers, dairy producers, retailers, suppliers and chefs to join to stay connected to what’s happening in the ever changing marketplace. Become a Member of Wisconsin Cheese Originals and become connected to a niche community of cheese enthusiasts.

Giving Back: Wisconsin Cheesemaker Scholarships

Wisconsin Cheese Originals is dedicated to helping grow the state's artisan cheesemaker community. That's why a significant portion of all membership fees go toward a yearly $2,500 Wisconsin Licensed Cheesemaker Scholarship, available to any Wisconsin resident intending to pursue a Wisconsin Cheesemaker License. Congratulations to Katie Hedrich, the 2010 recipient! The 2011 Scholarship Application will be posted early next year. Learn more about the state requirements to obtain a cheesemaker's license here.