Published: June 26, 2009 10:02 am      

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.