Workshops and Courses
Wisconsin’s dairy industry is evolving, with artisan cheese and farmstead dairy products seeing significant growth. To support this shift, organizations like the Wisconsin Dairy Artisan Network and Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association offer training, mentorship and resources for small producers. UW-River Falls contributes through specialized workshops and courses designed to meet the needs of this expanding sector. Explore this page to learn more!
Artisan and specialty cheese production in Wisconsin has increased since 1999, to just over 10 percent of the total cheese currently produced in Wisconsin. Farmstead-produced bottled milks, yogurts and ice creams have also increased impressively. To put it succinctly, the dairy industry in Wisconsin is changing rapidly on a number of fronts!
The Wisconsin Dairy Artisan Network was established to provide support and mentoring activities. It sponsors an annual Field Days event to showcase successful operations, works closely with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) staff in the Value-Added Office and has been active in supporting the development of curricula on business planning and process technology for small producers. Active and potential artisan producers are spread across the state and traditional on-campus courses are not always feasible for them.
The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) Training Room at UWRF was completed in August 2019 and has since hosted numerous workshops and courses. WCMA was a vital partner in the Dairy Pilot Plant renovation, as well as our dairy workshops and training courses.
2025-26 Dairy Workshops and Courses
The following workshops and short courses will be offered at UW-River Falls in fall 2025 and spring 2026. Email rueben.nilsson@uwrf.edu or call 715-425-4052 with questions.
- Pasteurization Short Course*
- September 18-19, 2025
- Cheesemaker's Short Course*
- October 6-10, 2025
- Pasteurization Short Course
- February 19-20, 2026
- Cheesemakers Short Course
- March 9-13, 2026
- HAACP Short Course
- Spring dates TBD
*Successful course completion can lead to licensing or certification.
