2025 Plans
A Year Off: My Cheesemaker’s Sabbatical
I’ve been slow to share my plans for this year, but here they are:
I’m taking a break from milking and cheesemaking until 2026.
This decision wasn’t made lightly—it’s been two years in the making. It’s not due to post-hurricane stress or financial constraints. Back in 2023, I started wondering: Could I take a year off? What would the cows think? It’s unusual for a business to grow for five years and then pause, but I planned for this, and now is the time.
My six cows are still here, just hanging out on the farm, not producing milk this year.
Why Take a Break?
I love making cheese. The business is doing well. I enjoy selling at markets and being part of the community. But after 15 years of milking and five years of cheesemaking, I need space to do other things.
This year is about balance of priorities—family, farm, and personal goals. I have projects to tackle, like fencing and home renovations, that have been put on hold for awhile now. Secondly, I want to spend more time with my family, including camping in the Smokies with my daughter to see the fireflies—without rushing home for morning milking. Lastly, I also have personal goals, like long-distance running and biking adventures, that I finally have time to pursue.
The Farm’s Future
I’m happy with my small-scale operation—six cows, a manageable workload, and enough cheese for a few markets. I have no plans to expand or wholesale. I like the rhythm of what I’ve built.
Instead of growing bigger, I want to grow better—as a herdsman and cheesemaker. In addition to all the domestic and personal projects this year, I also plan to visit traditional creameries and mountain farms in Europe in late summer, exploring old cheese caves and tasting cheese in its native environment. It’s both a learning experience and a way to refine my craft.
Looking Ahead
I still have cheese aging from last year, which I’ll be selling over the next month or two. Then, in early 2026, my cows will calve, and I’ll start making cheese again.
Until then, I plan to document this journey—what I learn, where I go, and how this year unfolds.
A sabbatical like this may seem unusual, but for me, it feels right.
Fall 2024