LaClare Farm prepares for expansion, and the World Championship Cheese Contest
Things are going well for Katie Hedrich at LaClare Farm, and Barry Adams has the story on her plans for the upcoming World Championship Cheese Contest, and the farm:
Hedrich's success is also helping the family business. This spring, the family plans to use fourth generation family land on which to build a $4.5 million agriculture facility on the north side of the burg of Pipe. The 35,000-square-foot project will include a barn, 48-stanchion milking parlor, retail store, cafe and a creamery for Katie to make her cheese.
She has been renting space in other creameries, primarily Saxon Homestead Creamery in Cleveland, north of Sheboygan, but has also traveled as far as the Cedar Grove Cheese plant in Plain in southern Sauk County. The new plant will also serve as an incubator to help other aspiring cheesemakers.
"Her abilities in marketing and cheesemaking make her a strong portion of the business," said Katie's father, Larry Hedrich, 55. "There are so many pieces of the puzzle that have come together for us.
