August is a busy month for all of us, so you’d be forgiven if you overlooked the announcement of the winners of the American Cheese Society’s annual awards. You’ll also be forgiven if you were unaware that there even was such a thing as the American Cheese Society’s Annual Competition, but now might be a good time to acquaint yourself with the nationwide organization, because it just named the Hudson Valley’s own Sprout Creek Farm as one of the best cheese makers in the country.
The non-profit farm took third prize in the best in show category, making them the highest ranking farm in New York State. Additionally their varieties of Eden and Margie cheese were named the best in the country in their respective categories, while their Madeline cheese won third in its category.
Located in Poughkeepsie, the small, sustainable dairy farm works year-round with a small but dedicated team to produce high quality cheese. Additionally, the farm works as an educational center with programs running year round for people to learn about farming, agriculture, and where their food comes from. The American Cheese Society Competition is held annually during the organization’s conference, with this year’s winners chosen from 1685 entries representing 248 companies from the United States, Canada, and Colombia. To find out where you can get some of Sprout Creek’s award-winning cheese visit their website.
This article appears in August 2014.
Congratulations to Sprout Creek Farm’s well-deserved wins. But what is the fixation with success not being enough success, regardless of the subject? “The best ranking farm in New York State,” is an absurd statement. “…named the Hudson Valley’s own Sprout Creek Farm as one of the best cheese makers in the country.” That’s just – I don’t know what that is, or again, why the need for any reporter to go to such extremes. It’s quite enough to have done such an outstanding a fine job. The Eden was a tie for third place in the “Best of Show” category. In the category of M. FARMSTEAD CHEESES, Limited to cheeses and fermented milk products made with milk from herds on the farm where the cheeses are produced, aged less than 60 days -all milks, Sprout Creek took a first for the Margie. In that same category, with the added requirement that the cheese was aged 60 days or more – with a 39% or higher moisture, and made from cow’s milk, Sprout Creek again took first place for its Margie. in the MG Farmstead Category Aged 60 days or more.and made from goat’s milk, Sprout Creek took a third.
These are great cheeses. The farm does an outstanding job, and is much-deserving of its wins. They know that, I’m certain. That isn’t enough, however, to “sell” the readership? “Best” isn’t best enough, no matter what the subject. Good grief.