by Lianne Bannow, HFM Board Member

Now let me be perfectly clear: Not a single cheese from Willapa Hills Farmstead and Artisan Cheeses has yet passed my lips. But you will still have to fight me for first-in-line when they debut at the Hollywood Farmers' Market on May 2. That's because my research for this article tells me that after one taste of the Fresh with Ewe cheese, a mild 100 percent sheep milk cheese, I will be a fan.

On the people side of the Willapa Hills cheese production are Amy Turnbull and Steve Hueffed and their family. Four years ago, they bought their farm, located about 20 miles west of Chehalis, near Pe Ell, Washington, with the goal of starting a sheep dairy. The historic gambrel barn and beautiful natural setting drew them to the spot, and it has proven to be a perfect location for creating their farmstead and artisan cheeses.

On the non-people side of the operation are 200-or-so Lacaune-East Friesian cross ewes, who are raised on pasture year-round without exposure to pesticides, commercial fertilizers, or growth hormones. Their feed is free of animal byproducts and their grass hay is locally grown. Twice each day the sheep make their way to the barn to provide some of the freshest, creamiest milk there is. The cows that contribute milk to the cheese-making enterprise are from a local family cow dairy that shares the Amy's and Steve's commitment to fresh and natural milk.

Think hues of blue when you think about Willapa Hills products. Hand-crafted blue cheeses constitute the bulk of its family of sheep milk, cow milk, and sheep-cow milk cheeses. Amy and Steve work with the natural rhythms of the year, orienting themselves to the seasonal nature of sheep milk, so when the farmers market opens in the spring, varieties of fresh cheeses will be featured. Later in the season, aged cheeses will be added to the mix.

Sheep produce smaller quantities of milk than cows or goats, but with a higher fat content and richer flavor. This makes a noticeable difference. The quality of Willapa Hills' cheeses is such that they have already earned a place at New Seasons Markets and several other local purveyors of fine food. Steve says that he and Amy love what they are doing and are grateful that their cheeses have been so well received.

I'm sure you will join me in welcoming them to the Hollywood Farmers' Market. Just don't take my place in line.
 

• Dogs must be kept on a short, non-expandable leash. No exceptions.
• Keep your dog under control and by your side at all times.
• Keep dogs away from produce, plants and other food products. This means head and tail ends!
• Your dog must be sociable to people and other dogs to earn the right to shop at the market.
• Not everyone is a dog lover: Be considerate.
• Come prepared to clean up after your dog!