Nothing says Wisconsin like fresh-made dairy products, and with the states abundance of dairy producers, there’s no shortage of great dairy products to purchase and enjoy. Several farms across the state are diversifying and adding value to their milking operations by crafting dairy products with their own milk.
Many of these creameries offer more than dairy products, and are worth a visit with family and friends for an educational and tasty “day-cation”!
Seehafer Farm Creamery – Marshfield
[Photo courtesy of Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board]
Holland’s Family Farm – Thorp
Holland’s Family Cheese in Thorp, just off highway 29, gives you the opportunity to learn how to make cheese from award-winning cheesemaker Marieke Penterman, who emigrated from the Netherlands in 2002!
Her small farmstead cheese factory is located within their creamery store just across from the dairy barn. Milk is pumped straight from the cows to the cheese vat where they make Marieke’s signature gouda cheese.
Explore the farm and store and then stop at Café DUTCHess for a hot meal prepared with Marieke’s cheese! Kids can play on the large jumping pad before visiting the learning center that looks into the milking parlor. Visitors can try to hand milk a cow and even visit the calf barn and see a new calf being born.
Located in the center of the state, Holland’s Family Farm is a great place for the whole family to enjoy, explore, and learn!
Nordic Creamery – Westby
Situated in the driftless region of Wisconsin Nordic Creamery is headed by Al Bekkum and his wife Sarah. Sarah takes care of the 40-cow dairy herd, and Al takes care of the creamery where they make cheese and some of the tastiest butter you can get your taste buds around!
Crafting the butter in small batches allows the full flavor of their milk to come through. With flavors like Garlic & Basil, Cinnamon & Sugar, Cultured European Butter, Maple Syrup butter, and even Chocolate butter, you’ll be able to find a variety to satisfy any craving.
The Bekkum’s’ also offer tours upon request, and horse drawn hayrides. There are also plenty of goats and farm animals to keep the little ones busy.
For a scenic daytrip, Nordic Creamery is well worth the visit!
Kelley Country Creamery – Eden
[Photo courtesy of Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board]
Amy Wallace is the producer of Discover Wisconsin’s America’s Dairyland series. Watch Discover Wisconsin every Saturday morning at 10 on FSN Wisconsin.
About Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board
Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board is a nonprofit organization of Wisconsin dairy producers that promotes the consumption of milk, cheese and other dairy products made right here in America’s Dairyland. For more information, visit www.EatWisconsinCheese.com.