Today, I’d like to introduce you to one of our most beloved ladies: Emmenthal (or Emmy for short).
Named after the picturesque region of Switzerland famous for its iconic “Swiss cheese,” Emmy joined our family farm seven years ago this past March.
She arrived on a spring morning when the daffodils were beginning to peek through the soil.
Now at 39 in cow years, she’s in her prime, just like many of us who find ourselves with a little more wisdom and a little more time to appreciate life’s simple treasures.
Emmenthal: A Standout American Original
Emmenthal is a Lineback, one of the few truly American cattle breeds.
One of the distinctive features of the Lineback breed is their unique coloration, typically a dark body (usually black or red) with a crisp white line running down their back.
But Emmy decided she had to be different.
When you see her in the pasture, her beautiful red and white roan coat makes her unmistakable among the herd.
Her distinctive red ears and nose give her face an expressive, gentle character that perfectly matches her temperament.
Linebacks are one of the few cattle breeds that genuinely originated right here in America.
What makes them special is their remarkable versatility.
Historically, these hardy cattle were triple-threat farm partners, providing milk for growing families, meat for sustaining communities, and strength for working the land.
But Emmenthal was born to be a dairy cow.
A Contribution to Your Cheese
Her milk carries subtle grassy notes from our high-quality pastures where she grazes daily.
Sometimes I stand there watching her, thinking about how the milk she gives so generously becomes the cheese that brings families together around tables across our community.
In a world that moves ever faster, there’s profound satisfaction in knowing we’re creating something that slows people down, something worth savoring.
Cheesemaking at this level isn’t manufacturing, it’s a relationship between animal, land, and craftsperson.
When Emmy grazes on a particular patch of clover or drinks from the water that feeds from Clover Creek, it influences the milk she produces.
That influence becomes part of the story told in every wheel we create.
When your children come home for Sunday dinner or holiday gatherings, the cheese on your table has been touched by Emmenthal’s contribution.
Next time you’re serving our cheese at your family gathering, remember the beautiful red-and-white cow with a red nose who helped create it!
0 Comments