Upcoming
Description
Code of Conduct
Upcoming
2026
Farmstead Cheesemaker Short Course
Fall 2026 (dates coming soon)
Hosted by
Mtn Lodge Farm, Eatonville, Washington
Details to come
What You’ll Learn
Coming soon.
Lodging Options
Coming soon.
Description
These unique, three day classes combines hands on experiments and cheesemaking with the science of milk and cheese chemistry – all in a licensed, farmstead facility. Nothing can replace the experience of actually working in a real cheesemaking setting , especially when accompanied by highly qualified instruction. This class, limited in size to six or seven students, provides real life experience along with expertise and working wisdom.
A typical course covers:
- Testing milk quality using Petri film plates, lacto-fermentation test, pH, and somatic cell count tests.
- In house environmental testing,
- Assessing the coagulating and buffering potential of milk
- Understanding the use of titratable acidity in conjunction with pH
- Manipulation of acid development to control cheese texture and moisture
- Work with raw cow, goat, and sometimes sheep milk
- Brine management and affinage options
- Cheesemaking- 3-4 types made during course. Possible styles include bloomy, pasta filata, and all pressed varieties
- Opportunity to arrive early and participate in milking chores
- lunch, and snacks included
- Access to cheese and dairy library
Class Code of Conduct
In order to ensure that all students in our small classes have the best chance for optimizing their investment in attending, we ask that everyone read and agree to the following:
- I will be respectful of other students’ level of learning.
- I will be kind.
- Politics will be left at home.
- I may have experience, but will defer questions to the teacher even if I believe I know the answer.
For many, these will be effortless, however, if you are one of those helpful souls that likes to teach, the last one might be hard! I welcome participation and sharing, but it let me be the teacher.
Pholia Farm Nigerian Dwarf Goats 
Great website and classes and books
Got our local library to order a copy of the Holistic…
Thank you for that! If you ever want to do an Amazon review, I could use more!
I am interested in your intensive cheesemaking short course . Ive been making cheese for several years now. I have both of your cheesemaking books. I am looking to improve and learn more . Just want to find a course that will be certain to advance me in cheesemaking. Im sure yours would. I live in Jackson Tennessee. My name is Jim Haley. Do you have a class later , like maybe spring of 2019 ? I would need information about where to fly in to and accommodations and such. Love your books Mastering Artisan Cheesemaking. And Basic Cheesemaking. They are the ones I use the most . Would like the opportunity to see things hands on.
Hi Him, sorry to take so long to see this! Feel free to email me at gianaclis at pholiafarm.com
Yes, we usually have a March short course also. I don’t have the dates up yet. Medford, Or is where you would fly in. There are more details about lodging on the farm’s website, but we have 3 options for different prices on farm, and then the nearest hotel is in Rogue River, 10 miles away: Inn at the Rogue Best Western.
Hope that helps! Oh, and thank you for your kind words on the books!!
Hello Pholia Farm!
I recently came across some of your cheese/yogurt making videos and absolutely love what you are doing. My husband and I have purchased our first few goats and are hoping to start a family-run creamery here in coastal Ecuador. I was wondering if you happened to be filming your upcoming course you have on goat management/cheese making from March 17-19th? I wish we were able to attend ourselves but I thought I’d see if you had any plans for filming the course to share to your online community? If so, we would absolutely love to “virtually” attend!
Thanks so much for sharing all of your years of knowledge. We are exciting to begin reading your books as soon as we are able to get our hands on them!
Cheers,
Alley
Hi Alley! I’m not planning on it, but probably should! I do have quite a few YouTube videos on my channel that you can access, though. Congratulations on your plans, would love to be able to travel to that part of the world one day!
I am interested in your 2023 class schedule. Could you please let me know dates and availability?
Hi Katie! Thanks for the reminder to update the website, I just added the spring 2023 class. It will be May 9-11th. Only one spot is taken at this point. Email me through the contact link for more details. Best, Gianaclis
Hi there. My husband and I are interested in attending your cheesemaking class in May. We live in Victor Idaho and have 2 dairy goats that will be kidding in April. We got our goats from Lindsey and Ben with Slow Goat Farm. They turned me on to your books and site, etc. We are new to cheesemaking but have taken a day class at Wind River Farms in Victor and are also just huge cheese fanatics. Hoping there is still space available. Let us know.
Any courses planned for 2024?
I’m a novice and enjoying the process. Eagerly want to learn more.
Hi there, Likely not, as we’re in the midst of selling the farm. However, I believe the woman buying it may want me to still teach there. If you want, subscribe to my newsletter to find out, or email me and I’ll add you to a list to be notified. Thanks and enjoy your cheesemaking journey!