Robots milk the cows here, and the cheese they help make has beaten thousands of rivals in national contests. One clothbound cheddar even landed in the top 20 out of 2,249 entries at a U.S. championship.
The whole thing started with a 16-year-old girl, a 4-H trip, and a big dream. She wanted to make cheese right on her family’s dairy farm in Minnesota. She grew up, got trained in Vermont, and did exactly that.
I love how this story feels like a farm kid’s daydream that actually came true. Today, you can tour the barns, taste the cheese, and fill a cooler on your way out.
And the cheese isn’t even the strangest part. Would you believe the leftover whey from cheesemaking now has a second life of its own?
A Farm Kid’s Cheese Dream Turned Into The Real Deal
Redhead Creamery began with a teenager who refused to let a good idea go. Founder Alise Sjostrom, a natural redhead, decided at 16 that she wanted to make cheese on her family’s farm.
That spark came after a 4-H trip. She then studied dairy production and food marketing at the University of Minnesota. The farm itself has deep roots too. Jerry and Linda Jennissen started Jer-Lindy Farms in 1979 with 70 Holsteins and 40 acres.
Today the herd is about 200 registered Holsteins, plus some Brown Swiss. The land has grown to roughly 300 acres. So when you buy a wedge here, you’re buying a family story. The milk travels a very short distance from cow to cheese vat.
I can’t think of a more honest way to make cheese. The redhead in the name is real, and so is the dream behind it.
Your Cooler Will Thank You For These Award Winners
A cheddar named after Grandma Linda has beaten some very tough competition. Lucky Linda Clothbound Cheddar was named Nation’s Best Natural Rind Cheddar at the United States Championship Cheese contest.
It also grabbed a gold medal at the 2023 World Cheese Awards. That’s a big deal for a cheese made on a family farm in Minnesota. The trophy shelf doesn’t stop there. St. Anthony took silver in the hard cows’ milk category at those same 2023 awards.
Margie Cheddar placed fifth in its national category too. Little Lucy Brie rounds out the lineup as a best seller and award winner.
My advice is simple. Grab a few different styles so you can taste side by side at home. Pack a cooler before you leave the house. You’ll want room for more than one block, trust me.
Squeaky Curds Deserve Their Own Fan Club
Cheese curds might be the unofficial snack of the Midwest. At this farm, they get star treatment. Ridiculously Good Cheddar Cheese Curds are one of the creamery’s best sellers. The name sets a high bar, and the awards back it up.
You can buy them fresh from the shop. That’s the classic way to enjoy them, straight from the bag in the car. The dining room takes things further. Pan-fried curds come in several styles, including Original, Maple Bacon, and Shepherd’s Breakfast.
Maple Bacon sounds like breakfast and snack time had a happy meeting. Shepherd’s Breakfast sounds hearty enough to fuel a day of farm chores.
Here’s a tip for planning. Order a basket for the table and a bag to take home, because sharing gets tricky fast. Curds are best enjoyed fresh. So eat the take-home bag soon, which honestly won’t be a problem.
It’s hard to find a better souvenir from dairy country. They’re cheesy, salty, and impossible to stop eating.
Lunch Comes With A Side Of Farm-Raised Pride
Hungry after shopping? The on-farm dining room serves a full lunch menu, so nobody has to leave on an empty stomach. The Jer-Lindy Smash Burger is made with beef raised right on the farm. That’s about as local as a burger can get.
Paninis are on the menu too. Melty farmstead cheese pressed between warm bread just makes sense here. Then there are the Curd Dogs. The name alone made me want one, and I’m guessing it’ll work on you too.
The menu ties back to the farm in clever ways. Cheese, beef, and dairy all come from the same family operation. Plan your timing well. The shop opens at 10 AM Wednesday through Saturday and stays closed Sunday through Tuesday.
Thursday and Wednesday hours end at 4 PM. Friday and Saturday run an hour later, until 5 PM. Busy days can fill the tables quickly. Arriving a little early gives you the best shot at a relaxed meal.
Robots Milking Cows Is A Sight You Won’t Forget
Cows choosing when to get milked by a robot sounds like science fiction. On this farm, it’s just a normal Tuesday. The dairy farm tour runs year-round and lasts about two hours. It walks you through the farm’s history and daily life.
You’ll learn how crops are grown to feed the herd. You’ll also see how the farm raises its calves. The robotic milking systems are the headline act. Watching technology and old-fashioned farming work together is pretty fascinating.
Next comes a video about how the cheese gets made. It connects everything you just saw in the barn to the wedge on your plate. Then the best part arrives. The tour ends with a tasting of three Redhead Creamery cheeses.
Families will appreciate one practical detail. The facility is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Kids who think milk comes from the store will get a fun reality check. Grown-ups usually learn something new too.
Leftover Whey Gets A Surprisingly Clever Second Act
Cheesemaking leaves behind a lot of whey. Most people never think twice about that watery byproduct. The family here found a creative use for it. On May 31, 2024, they opened Redhead Creamery Spirits, a distillery that makes spirits from whey.
That’s why you may see the name Redhead Creamery + Spirits. The farm now wastes less and offers one more reason to visit. Lucas Sjostrom is the licensed whey winemaker and distiller. He brings the science side to this farm-born experiment.
Distillery tours explain fermentation and distillation in plain terms. You’ll also hear a bit of history along the way. The space includes a speakeasy-style setting and restaurant. It adds a fun, grown-up twist to a farm visit.
I like how this idea turns a leftover into something new. It’s resourceful in the most Midwestern way possible. Even if you’re just there for cheese, ask about it. The story behind it is worth hearing.
Mark Your Calendar For Curd Fest In June
A whole festival devoted to cheese curds exists, and it happens every June. Curd Fest is the farm’s yearly party for the squeaky snack. Summer in Minnesota feels made for this kind of event. Green fields, warm sun, and fresh curds make an easy combo.
The fun isn’t limited to one weekend either. The creamery hosts events throughout the year. Live music shows up on the schedule. It turns a quick shopping stop into an afternoon worth lingering over.
Cheese pairing experiences and special tastings also pop up. These are great for anyone curious about matching flavors. Planning a party yourself? The creamery offers private spaces for hosting events.
That could mean a birthday, a team outing, or a family reunion. Few venues come with cows next door. Check the event calendar before your trip. Lining up your visit with live music or a festival makes it extra memorable.
The Shop Shelves Are Stocked Beyond Just Cheese
Cheese gets top billing, but the shop has plenty of supporting players. You’ll find creamline milk and yogurt from the farm too. Creamline milk keeps its cream, which rises to the top. Give the bottle a shake and you’re set.
Local goods fill out the shelves nicely. Look for jams, crackers, chocolates, and honey made nearby. That makes building a snack board almost too easy. Grab cheese, crackers, and a jar of jam, and your picnic is done.
These items also make thoughtful gifts. A little basket from a working dairy farm beats a generic store gift every time. Think about your drive home before you shop. Dairy products need to stay cold, so a cooler with ice packs is smart.
Bring a sturdy tote bag as well. Jars and boxes add up faster than you’d expect. Honestly, the shop feels like a tiny tour of local flavor. Every shelf adds something different to your basket.
Getting There Is Easy, And So Is Ordering Later
Central Minnesota farm country hides some great surprises. This one sits about an hour from Willmar, St. Cloud, and Alexandria. You’ll find the farm at 31535 463rd Ave, Brooten, MN 56316. Plug it into your map and enjoy the rural scenery.
The drive makes a fine day trip. Pair it with a tour and lunch, and you’ve got a full afternoon. Can’t make the trip right away? Redhead Creamery ships cheese across the country through UPS.
The online store offers cheese collections and gift boxes. There’s even a Cheese of the Month Club for steady deliveries. Locals near the Twin Cities and Fargo have another option. The creamery runs local delivery routes in both areas.
That means a taste of dairy country can reach your door. Still, nothing beats seeing the farm where it all begins. So go once, then order more later. Your fridge and your taste buds will both be glad you did.
