The Maine Cheese Guild announces a two day workshop with Gianaclis Caldwell —

The Small-Scale Cheese Business
A Guide to Running a Successful Farmstead Creamery

–based on her book by the same name. It will be two day-long workshops and will take place on SUNDAY and MONDAY, April 5th and 6th.

The site is still TBD, but is likely to be in the Augusta area.

(Click here for the full workshop description)

The fee for this two-day workshop will be:
–$100 per Guild member
–$300 per non-member, with Guild members receiving preference if the class limit is reached.

To reserve your spot send your name, business name (if applicable), and an email address where you want the confirmation information sent with the FULL AMOUNT of the fee by check or money-order (payable to “Maine Cheese Guild”) to:

Maine Cheese Guild
c/o Mary Belding, Treasurer
250 Walker Mills Rd.
Harrison, ME 04040

WORKSHOP INFO

There has never been a better time to be making and selling great cheese. People worldwide are consuming more high- quality, handmade cheese than ever before. The number of artisan cheesemakers has doubled in recent years, and many of the industry’s newcomers are “farmstead” producers—those who work only with the milk of their own animals. Today, more than ever before, the people who choose to become farmer- cheesemakers need access to the knowledge of established cheese artisans who can help them build their dream.

Few career choices lead to such extremes of labor, emotion, and monetary challenge. In The Small-Scale Cheese Business, (originally published as The Farmstead Creamery Advisor in 2010) respected cheesemaker, instructor, and speaker Gianaclis Caldwell walks would-be producers through the many, and often confusing, steps and decisions they will face when considering a career in this burgeoning cottage industry, filling the gap that exists between the pasture and cheese plate. It goes far beyond issues of caring for livestock and basic cheesemaking, explaining business issues such as:

–Analyzing your suitability for the Description Prelim/Final Preliminary career;
–Designing and building the cheese facility;
–Sizing up the market;
–Negotiating day-to-day obstacles;
–Ensuring maximum safety and efficiency.

Drawing from her own and other cheesemakers’ experiences, Caldwell brings to life the story of creating a successful cheesemaking business in a practical, organized manner. Absolutely essential for anyone interested in becoming a licensed artisan cheesemaker, The Small-Scale Cheese Business will also appeal to the many small and hobby-farm owners who already have milking animals and who wish to improve their home dairy practices and facilities.

About the Instructor: Gianaclis Caldwell grew up on a small family farm in Oregon, where she milked cows, ran a dairy cow 4-H club, and learned to raise organic produce and meat. In 2005, Gianaclis returned to the property with her husband and their two daughters where they now operate Pholia Farm, an off-grid, raw milk cheese dairy.