On September 9th Barbara Reed, co-author of Farmstead and Artisan Cheese: A Guide to Building a Business passed away after battling lung cancer for 18 months. A friend to many in the cheese community, Reed will be sorely missed:

Barbara was a pioneer in the artisan and farmstead cheese world. She helped the Pedrozo Dairy in Orland, CA, with their transition into making farmstead cheese in the late 90s. Intrigued by the possibilities for family diaries to add value and profitability to their operations, she took a study leave to Ireland looking at the artisan cheese industry. When she returned, she interviewed all the artisan and farmstead cheesemakers in California. The result was the essential book, Farmstead and Artisan Cheese: A Guide to Building a Business. Says Sue Conley and Peggy Smith from Cowgirl Creamery, "Barbara was our go-to expert whenever we had a difficult cheese question needing an answer. Her book explores the complexities involved in combining a passion for creating a unique American cheese with the realities of operating a successful and profitable business." Her spirit and talents will be deeply missed.

Sadly, Ellie

Ellie Rilla
Community Development Advisor
University of California Cooperative Extension