Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

Grants And Education To Advance Innovations In Sustainable Agriculture

Project Overview

FNE04-521
Project Type: Farmer
Funds awarded in 2004: $5,315.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2004
Matching Non-Federal Funds: $400.00
Region: Northeast
State: Maine
Project Leader:
Warren Knight
Smiling Hill Farm, Inc.

Evaluation, Comparison and Feasibility Study of Current Options in Cheese Aging Caves

Commodities

  • Agronomic: other, grass (misc. perennial), hay
  • Animal Products: dairy

Practices

  • Animal Production: feed/forage
  • Production Systems: agroecosystems, integrated crop and livestock systems

Proposal summary:

Dairy farms branching out into cheese production have found little research comparing available technologies and techniques used in the construction and design of cheese caves. This project will analyze the options available in construction, venting, water and air filtration, and cooling methods to create a blueprint for an environmentally friendly and economically sound cave. Outreach will be through the publication of a cheese-cave construction manual and web sites.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.