Pella Chronicle

June 26, 2009

Field Day scheduled at local farm


Do you want to know how cheese is made on an Iowa family farm? Brothers Mike and Jason Bandstra will lead a tour of their farm, which is known for its signature Gouda cheese, on Thursday, June 25, from 6:00-8:30 p.m. See the farm’s pastures, where cows graze fresh forages. Tour the milking parlor, cheese house and the climate-controlled cheese storage and aging area. Enjoy samples of Frisian Farms Gouda cheese.

Jason started Frisian Farms with ten one-week-old Holstein calves. Mike came back to the farm after several years of managing an organic dairy. Today, traditional Dutch cheese-making techniques are the secret to turning milk from the Bandstras’ 80-cow herd into Frisian Farms Gouda.

Directions: Frisian Farms, 2321 Highland Ave., Oskaloosa. From Pella, take Highway 163 east about 10 miles. Take a right (west) on 235th Street and go about 2 miles. Turn right on Highland Ave. Follow signs to farm.

This field day is free, and everybody is welcome.