Countdown to Making Cheese

Only about 3 weeks until we start making cheese again! After this long winter, I am looking forward to getting back to work!

Our inventory is holding, but you can really see some bare spots where we need to fill it back up!

I spent Monday cleaning the cheese house, cleaned and sanitized the coolers that we use for trasporting cheese, and use in the cheese house. I do this regularly, but this time, since they've been sitting during the winter months, I really gave them a scrubbing. Cleaned the floor in the walk in cooler, and plan on wiping all the shelves with vinegar and salt.  That prevents any mold from growing.

My next thing to do is get the brine tanks washed and filled up with water, salt and a smidge of vinegar.  We like to have this ready 2-3 weeks before make so that the salt dissolves and the PH adjusts.  Also need to check the the salt content to make sure it is just right for our cheeses, we use a gadget called a Salometer.

I also need to sort through our starters, rennet, anitbiotic tests, and other supplies, to make sure we're all prepared to start back to work without any delays. 

I do have a new recipe that we will be making this year. We're excited to add a new variety and will post more about that when we have the first batch made! We feel that we've managed to keep the other 4 varieties consistent, and that is so important before adding more.

We have some folks coming in today to look at a couple of heifers. We're happy that we have some heifers available to sell this spring.  We have a few more, older ones, available, and feel that they will sell better once the grass starts showing (if the snow ever melts!!).

Farm market tomorrow in Marietta! And, I don't think there will be any snow storms coming in! I'm all packed and ready to go!  I packed the cheese last night, and need to print out business cards and brochures today.  We'll also be in Glen Dale, WV for an event on the 18th.  (For any Brad Paisley fans, that is his hometown). Sounds like it will be a good event too. Along with our cheese, there will be a wine vendor set up, so we'll have some wine and cheese tasting!  I'll post more details as I get them. 

We've had more babies born, a lot of bull calves, would like to see more heifers, but we take what we get!

Well, it's almost 1, so I better get to the barn! Will post some pictures next time!