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Acosta Earns Beginning Wisconsin Cheesemaker Scholarship
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 04/16/2014

A Wisconsin dairy goat farmer aiming to develop a farmstead creamery is the recipient of the 2014 Beginning Cheesemaker Scholarship from Wisconsin Cheese Originals. Sandra Acosta of Port Washington was selected to receive this year's $2,500 award.

An accomplished cheesemaker, veterinarian and instructor in native Mexico, Acosta aims to become a licensed cheesemaker in her new home country. Wisconsin is the only state in the nation to require cheesemakers to be licensed, an 18-month process that requires attendance at five university short courses, 240 hours of apprenticeship under a licensed cheesemaker, and a written exam at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture.

Acosta and her husband, Barry Midtling, milk about 600 goats on a farm near Port Washington. After using the scholarship money to earn her license, Acosta has dreams of building an on-farm creamery to craft French style goat cheeses.

"I am excited for the opportunity to learn and grow my knowledge in cheesemaking," Acosta said. "I would also like to continue to be involved in teaching goat milk production in rural areas of Mexico and other developing countries."

Wisconsin Cheese Originals is a member-based organization dedicated to growing and promoting the state's artisan cheese community by hosting seminars, cheesemaker dinners, dairy tours and educational classes.


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