The Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Promotion Board honored 51 class winners from the 2023 Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Products Contest, and raised $50,155 for student scholarships and dairy programs at the fair. It’s not a record but it’s about $3,000 more than last year and one of the highest totals to date.
In addition, the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association recognized the best artisan in the contest. The Grand Master Cheesemaker is chosen by judging each blue-ribbon cheese entry in a championship round. The maker of the highest-scoring product is the ‘Grand Master Cheesemaker’.
For the second year in a row, the title goes to Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese of Waterloo for their chocolate mascarpone made by Brian Crave. It was the first item on the auction block. The 2 lbs of cheese sold for $1,600 to Rock River Laboratories. Beth Crave accepted the award. She says the judges picked the chocolate mascarpone for its velvety smooth texture, among other attributes.
The highest bid was $4,200 for 30 lbs of cheese from Lake Country Dairy – Schuman Cheese in Turtle Lake. DR Tech was the buyer.
Dairy Promotion Board Coordinator Ann Schulz tells Mid-West Farm Report she’s also pleased with buyer turnout. The auction had about 20 bidders.
This year’s $1,000 scholarship winners are Elise Bleck of Glenbeulah, UW-Madison; Aliza Jacobs of Luxemburg, UW-Platteville; and Michelle Stangler of Watertown, UW-River Falls.
See the full auction report:
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