Fifty years doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens because of skill passed down, values held tight, and a commitment to doing things the right way — even when it’s harder. As we celebrate 50 years of Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese, we want to spotlight the foundation that made everything possible: craftsmanship, family, and a deep respect for the cheesemaking tradition.
A Cheesemaker Before There Was a Cheese Company
Long before Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese opened its doors, Ron Renard was already making history. In 1960, at just 19 years old, Ron became the youngest licensed cheesemaker in Kewaunee County while working for Casco Cheese.
That early dedication to the craft shaped everything that came later — an understanding that great cheese starts with knowledge, patience, and pride in your work.
Turning a Vision Into a Business
In February of 1976, Ron and Marilyn Renard officially started Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese. In those early days, the focus was on converting and packaging cheese — building relationships, learning the retail side of the business, and earning customer trust one interaction at a time.
It wasn’t about being the biggest. It was about being dependable, local, and consistent.
A Business Grown With Family
As the years went on, Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese grew — and family played a key role in that growth. In 2005, Ron and Marilyn sold the business to their sons, who operated it for the next nine years.
This transition marked an important chapter: carrying forward the same standards while preparing the business for the future.
A New Chapter, Built on the Same Values
In 2014, the company was purchased by John T. Pagel with a clear goal — to expand the business and make cheese, while honoring the reputation Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese had built over decades.
That commitment to quality and growth continued into the next era, with the business evolving while staying rooted in the principles that customers had come to trust.
Honoring the Craft Today
In 2023, Head Cheesemaker Ben Shibler earned his Master Cheesemaker License — a milestone that reflects the same dedication to excellence that started over 60 years ago with a 19-year-old licensed cheesemaker.
It’s proof that while times change, craftsmanship remains at the heart of Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese.
50 Years Strong — and Still Moving Forward
This anniversary isn’t just about looking back at dates on a timeline. It’s about recognizing the people, decisions, and standards that shaped who we are today.
From early cheesemaking roots to decades of serving customers, Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese has always been built on knowledge, care, and a genuine love for the craft.
And that’s something worth celebrating.
Celebrate 50 Years With Us
Explore the cheeses that carry this legacy forward.
👉 Shop Customer Favorites
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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.
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