Wisconsin Cheese Originals offers $2,500 cheesemaking scholarship

For the third year in a row, Wisconsin Cheese Originals is offering a $2,500 scholarship to help one aspiring cheesemaker earn his or her license and make farmstead, artisan or specialty cheeses. Applications are due March 1.

Applicants must be a resident of the State of Wisconsin, and must demonstrate ambition to pursue and obtain a Wisconsin Cheesemaker License, a lengthy process that can take as long as 18 months, requires the attendance at five cheesemaking courses, and 240 hours of apprenticeship with an existing licensed Wisconsin cheesemaker.

"During the last decade, Wisconsin has become home to more than 60 artisan and specialty cheesemakers, many of whom choose the dairy state because of its reputation for quality, innovation and infrastructure," said Jeanne Carpenter, executive director of Wisconsin Cheese Originals.

Carpenter added, "At the same time, we know many aspiring cheesemakers are waiting in the wings. This scholarship aims to helps one new Wisconsin artisan cheesemaker earn his or her license every year."

The 2012 Wisconsin Licensed Cheesemaker Scholarship application is due to Wisconsin Cheese Originals on March 1, with the recipient chosen by a review committee and notified by April 1.

Applications may be downloaded from www.wisconsincheeseoriginals.com. To learn more, contact Carpenter at 608-358-7837.