Category: Our Farmstead

  • The History of Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy-the proud home of the milk behind Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese

    Original Farm

    From a humble herd to Wisconsin’s largest family-owned dairy farm.

    Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy isn’t just where the milk comes from — it’s where the story begins.

    Founded on a deep love for farming and a vision for excellence, Pagel’s Ponderosa grew from modest beginnings into one of Wisconsin’s most respected and innovative dairy operations. Through hard work, family values, and a commitment to quality, it became the heart of what fuels Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese today.

    🌱 Humble Beginnings in Kewaunee

    The story starts in Kewaunee, Wisconsin, where John T. Pagel, a second-generation farmer, decided to forge his own path. With just 50 cows, a strong work ethic, and a deep belief in doing things the right way, John laid the foundation for something special.

    From the very beginning, it wasn’t just about growing a herd — it was about building a legacy.

    🚜 A Vision for Growth

    John’s drive to improve every part of the dairy led to steady expansion. He invested in sustainable practices, animal welfare, and state-of-the-art technology, all while keeping the operation firmly rooted in family values.

    Over time, what started as a small farm grew to become Wisconsin’s largest family-owned dairy, caring for thousands of cows and producing high-quality milk that would go on to fuel award-winning cheeses.

    But even as the farm grew, its mission stayed the same: quality milk from healthy cows, raised with care.

    🧀 From Milk to Cheese: The Birth of a Farmstead Legacy

    With a passion for innovation and authenticity, John launched a farmstead cheesemaking operation — ensuring that the milk produced on the farm was transformed into cheese right there on site. This allowed for complete control over freshness, traceability, and quality.

    One of the first products to emerge from this was Snow Cheddar — a naturally white cheddar crafted without dyes, offering clean flavor and smooth texture. It became a signature item and a favorite among customers.

    🧡 A Family Business, A Lasting Legacy

    Though John’s life was tragically cut short in 2018, his legacy continues through his family and team, who carry on the mission he believed in so deeply: to farm with integrity, create products with pride, and make a difference in their community.

    Today, Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy remains a family-run operation and the proud home of the milk behind Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese — from curds and cheddar to the iconic Snow Cheddar.

    🐮 Why It Matters

    When you choose cheese from Ron’s, you’re not just buying a product. You’re supporting a multi-generational Wisconsin dairy farm that believes in sustainability, craftsmanship, and real connections — from cow to customer.

    Want to taste the story?
    🛒 [Shop Our Cheese]

    From our family farm in Wisconsin to your table—thanks for supporting small-batch, farmstead cheese made the right way!

    Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese

    Farm Fresh. Handcrafted.Farmstead Cheese.

    Written By Rons Teammate:

    Cassie

    Cassie is part of the Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese team, where she helps bring handcrafted, farm-fresh cheese to families across the country. Based in Kewaunee, Wisconsin, she’s passionate about local food, sustainable farming, and sharing the story behind every bite.

  • 🐄 What Makes Cheese ‘Farmstead’?

    farmstead field
    Farmstead Field Picture

    What Is Farmstead Cheese?

    Farmstead cheese is more than a label—it’s a promise of quality, freshness, and traceability. It means the cheese is made on the same farm where the milk comes from. As a result, the entire process stays local and focused on craftsmanship.

    At Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese, we’re proud to be a true farmstead operation. We raise the cows, milk them, and make the cheese—all right here in Kewaunee, Wisconsin.

    How Farmstead Cheese Is Made

    To be considered farmstead, cheesemakers must follow strict guidelines. For example:

    • 🐄 We raise our own cows on the same land as our creamery
    • 🧼 We process the milk immediately, avoiding trucking or long-term storage
    • 🧀 We make our cheese by hand, in small batches
    • 🌾 We oversee every step to ensure full traceability

    As a result, you get fresher, more flavorful cheese with a story you can trust.

    📖 Want to learn more about our story? Visit our About page

    Why Farmstead Cheese Matters

    Of course, flavor is one big reason people love farmstead cheese. However, there’s more to it than taste.

    In addition, farmstead cheesemaking:

    • Supports local agriculture
    • Reduces carbon emissions from transportation
    • Reflects the care and ethics of a single farm
    • Provides full transparency—from pasture to plate

    Our Farmstead Favorites

    For example, Snow Cheddar is made entirely from milk sourced from our own herd. We make it just hours after milking, right here on-site.

    Learn More About Farmstead Certification

    Still curious about what makes cheese truly farmstead? This American Cheese Society guide explains the differences between farmstead, artisan, and industrial cheesemaking.

    Final Thoughts

    You deserve to know where your food comes from. That’s why we’ve built our operation around quality, sustainability, and full control—from cow to curd.

    🧀 Taste the difference—shop our farmstead cheeses today and bring home something real.

    From our family farm in Wisconsin to your table—thanks for supporting small-batch, farmstead cheese made the right way!

    Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese

    Farm Fresh. Handcrafted.Farmstead Cheese.

    Written By Ron’s Cheese Teammate:

    Cassie

    Cassie is part of the Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese team, where she helps bring handcrafted, farm-fresh cheese to families across the country. Based in Kewaunee, Wisconsin, she’s passionate about local food, sustainable farming, and sharing the story behind every bite.

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