Local Cheese Maker Wins Prestigious Award

The Thorp Courier (Thorp, WI)
May 30, 2007
Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Rolf and Marieke Penterman, Wisconsin’s newest farmstead dairy owners hosted a grand opening at Holland’s Family Cheese plant and retail store on Tuesday, May 22.

Jim Cisler, of the Dairy Business Innovation Center presented a Certificate of Excellence to the Pentermans on behalf of Governor Jim Doyle and Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Rod Nilsestuen, thanking the couple for their commitment to growing Wisconsin’s dairy industry.

The Pentermans are realizing their dream of making authentic Dutch style Gouda cheese from the milk of their family’s own dairy cow herd.  Marieke is now crafting farmstead cheese in the style of her home country.  She recently won a prestigious Best of Class Gold Medal at the U. S. Championship Cheese Contest in March with her Feonegreek Gouda.

 Dairy Business Innovation Center Manager Jim Gage congratulated the Pentermans, saying, “Holland’s Family Cheese is one more example of the vision our farmstead dairy artisans carry to grow their businesses, grow Wisconsin’s dairy industry, and grow local, rural economies.”

Pictured is Marieke with her Best of Class Award for her Feonegreek Cheese.  “Rolf picked the Feonegreek to take to the contest,” said Marieke.  “He won’t let me forget that.”