Gold Medal Cheese Auction Supports Industry Education

The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association invites you to participate in the energetic and exciting Auction of Championship Cheeses at the 2019 Cheese Industry Conference on Wednesday, April 17 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

“Celebrate the best in cheesemaking by bidding on U.S. Championship Cheese Contest gold medal winners, and support our industry’s emerging talent at the same time,” said John Umhoefer, WCMA Executive Director.

Auction proceeds support WCMA industry educational programs, including Front-Line Supervisor Training and the Learning to Lead series at Madison College, as well as WCMA’s strategic gifts to universities.  In recent years, WCMA has directed $500,000 to the construction of the new Center for Dairy Research at the University of Wisconsin, $200,000 for the renovation of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Dairy Pilot Plant, and $50,000 to support the cheesemaking facility at South Dakota State University.  WCMA further supports industry education as host of the Collegiate Dairy Products Evaluation Contest, and through annual scholarship awards of $15,000.

“Monies raised through the Auction enable our Association to advance dairy processing education all across the country, and we thank generous bidders for their support,” said Umhoefer.

Eighty-two gold medal cheeses, arranged in 44 items for bid, will be on the auction block including the 2019 U.S. Champion Cheese: a Baby Swiss Wheel made by Guggisberg Cheese in Millersburg, Ohio.

For a bid sheet and more information, click here or call WCMA at 608-286-1001.  All are welcome at the Chr. Hansen Reception and Auction of Championship Cheeses, regardless of registration status at the 2019 Cheese Industry Conference.