Tag: dairy farmers of wisconsin

Why Winter Is the Best Time for Cheese

Ron’s Snow Cheddar in the Snow

When most people think about cheese season, summer picnics and holiday gift boxes usually come to mind. But behind the scenes, winter is one of the most important — and underrated — times of year for great cheese.

At Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese, winter plays a huge role in flavor, quality, and consistency. From how cheese ages to how it ships, colder months create conditions that let cheese truly shine.

Here’s why winter might just be the best time to enjoy cheese.

Winter Brings Consistency From Farm to Creamery

Winter also brings consistency on the farm.

Cooler temperatures mean less fluctuation throughout the day, which supports steady milk quality. That consistency matters at every step of the cheesemaking process — from the moment milk enters the plant to the final product being cut, packaged, and enjoyed.

When everything is steady, cheesemakers can focus on precision and craftsmanship.

Cheese Ships Better in the Winter

There’s a practical side to winter cheese, too.

Cold weather helps protect cheese during shipping, especially for customers ordering online. Lower outside temperatures reduce stress on packaging and help cheese arrive in better condition — fresher, firmer, and closer to how it left the creamery.

It’s one of the reasons winter is a favorite season for shipping cheese across the country.

Comfort Food Season Brings Out the Best in Cheese

Let’s be honest — winter is comfort food season.

From cheese boards and melted dishes to cozy snacks by the fire, winter meals tend to highlight cheese in its best form. Sharp cheddars, savory curds, creamy spreads, and snack cheeses all feel right at home this time of year.

Cold days invite slower meals, shared plates, and flavors that linger.

A Season That Celebrates Craft

While winter may feel quieter on the outside, it’s a busy and meaningful season in the creamery. It’s a time for focus, refinement, and letting good cheese become great cheese.

So if you’re enjoying cheese this winter, know that the season itself plays a role in what you’re tasting. Cold air, steady conditions, and patience all work together to bring out the best in every bite.

Winter may be long in Wisconsin — but when it comes to cheese, that’s a very good thing.

One cheese we think benefits the most from winter is our Snow Cheddar. We tend to make more of it in the wintertime ironically.

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 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.

January 19, 2026
10 Reasons Wisconsin Cheese is the Best in the World

When it comes to cheese, Wisconsin doesn’t just compete — it dominates. Known as America’s Dairyland, our state has built a global reputation for quality, craftsmanship, and variety. But what makes Wisconsin cheese truly stand out? Here are 10 reasons it’s considered the best in the world.

1. Generations of Cheesemaking Tradition

Wisconsin’s cheesemaking history stretches back to the mid-1800s, when European immigrants brought their skills to the fertile hills of the Midwest. Each generation has added to the craft, blending old-world methods with new innovations.

2. The Perfect Environment for Dairy Cows

Cool weather, lush pastures, and fresh water make Wisconsin ideal for raising healthy, happy cows. Great milk means great cheese — and our dairy farmers take that seriously.

3. More Varieties Than Anywhere Else

Wisconsin produces over 600 types, styles, and varieties of cheese, from squeaky curds to aged cheddars, blue cheeses, and artisan specialties.

4. The Master Cheesemaker Program

We’re the only state with the prestigious Master Cheesemaker Program, often called the “Ph.D. of cheese.” It takes years of training and testing to earn the title, and Wisconsin leads the nation in certified masters.

5. Commitment to Quality Standards

Since 1994, Wisconsin has required cheesemaker licensing — the only U.S. state to do so. That means every wheel and wedge is crafted under the care of a licensed professional.

6. Innovation Meets Tradition

From classic cheddar to unique creations like Snow Cheddar, Wisconsin cheesemakers aren’t afraid to experiment while honoring time-tested techniques.

7. A Strong Farm-to-Table Connection

Many Wisconsin cheesemakers, including Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese, operate farmstead creameries. They use milk from their own cows, ensuring freshness, consistency, and full control from pasture to plate.

8. Award-Winning Excellence

Wisconsin cheeses regularly win top honors at national and international competitions — proof that quality here is more than a marketing claim.

9. A Culture That Celebrates Cheese

From cheese curd festivals to roadside cheese shops, Wisconsin celebrates cheese year-round. It’s not just food — it’s part of who we are.

10. Passion You Can Taste

Wisconsin cheesemakers pour pride, skill, and heart into every batch. That passion is what makes the difference when you take your first bite.

From the lush pastures of Kewaunee County to your dinner table, Wisconsin cheese carries a story in every slice. Taste the difference for yourself — because when it comes to cheese, there’s simply no place like Wisconsin.

🛒 Shop Wisconsin Cheese at Ron’s
📖 Read the History of Wisconsin Cheese

Written by Rons 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.

November 3, 2025
Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese at the Kewaunee County Farm to Fork Gala
Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese had the honor of setting up the meat and cheese table at this year’s Farm to Fork Gala, hosted by the Kewaunee County Dairy Promotion Committee. The evening brought farmers, producers, and neighbors together to celebrate agriculture and the community it sustains.

A Community Celebration

The Farm to Fork Gala is more than a dinner. It is a reminder of how food connects people to the land and to the families who produce it. Guests enjoyed a night filled with conversation, local flavors, and a strong sense of community pride.

Our Contribution to the Table

Our team was proud to prepare a spread that highlighted Wisconsin’s best flavors. The table featured:
- 🧀 Fresh cheese curds (a true Wisconsin favorite)
- 🧀 Our signature Snow Cheddar and specialty cheddars
- 🧀 Classic Cheese Whips
By sharing our products, we were able to tell our farmstead story—cheese crafted in Kewaunee with milk from our own herd at Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy.

Why Farm to Fork Matters

Events like this gala matter because they connect consumers with local farms. Supporting agriculture means protecting traditions, strengthening rural communities, and ensuring future generations can carry on Wisconsin’s cheesemaking legacy.

A Thank You to the Community

We are grateful to the Kewaunee County Dairy Promotion Committee for inviting us to be part of this year’s event. In addition, we thank the many volunteers who made the evening possible and the guests who stopped by our table.

We look forward to more opportunities to celebrate and share the flavors of our farmstead with the community.

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 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.
August 25, 2025
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.

July 28, 2025
Rockers Baseball

⚾A Night at the Ballpark: Partnering with the Green Bay Rockers

On a warm summer night under the lights of Capital Credit Union Park, Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese had the pleasure of joining the Green Bay Rockers Baseball Club for a fun-filled evening of baseball, community, and, of course—cheese!

🧀 Bringing Squeaky Fun to the Game

As fans gathered for the game, our team set up at the ballpark with samples of Ron’s Snow Cheddar, a farm-inspired photo booth featuring our signature cow cutouts, and a whole lot of dairy goodness. We loved seeing so many families stop by to snap photos, ask about our products, and enjoy a little local flavor alongside their ballpark snacks.

⚾ Why the Rockers?

Our collaboration with the Green Bay Rockers is a natural fit. Just like Ron’s, they’re rooted in Wisconsin pride and built on community spirit. Events like this allow us to connect directly with the people who enjoy our farmstead cheese every day—and introduce ourselves to new fans who may be just one squeaky bite away from falling in love.

📸 Catch the Highlights

With over 2,400 views and growing, our Facebook post about the event sparked a lot of excitement! Be sure to check out the photos from the night to see the smiles, the fun, and maybe even a cow or two. View Post on Facebook »
(Don’t forget to give us a like and a follow!)

🎉 Thank You!

A big thank you to the Green Bay Rockers team for having us, and to every fan who stopped by to say hello. We’re proud to be part of this community—and can’t wait for more events like this.

Thank you to the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin for providing us with educational and fun handouts.

Stay tuned for our next public appearance—you never know where snow cheddar will show up next!

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 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.

June 18, 2025

Your cart (items: 0)

Products in cart
Product	Details	Total
	Available on backorder Previous price: Discounted price: Save	Save