Short Courses

short course pictureThe Western Dairy Center offers artisan and industrial cheese making classes. For more information on workshops and classes, email westcent@usu.edu.

Cheese making Short Courses

Cheese making short courses are held once yearly. Students will spend time in the classroom learning definitions, terminology, techniques, and the science of making cheese. They will also get hands-on experience making a variety of cheeses in our dairy plant. Classes are limited to 12 people and fill up quickly, so register early. For registration information, email westcent@usu.edu or call 435-797-3466.

*Late registrations add $50. Cancellations can be made up to 30 days prior to start date of course. Registration fee, less $50 will be refunded up to 30 days prior to start date of course; no refunds will be made after this time. Substitutions are acceptable at any time. We reserve the right to cancel or postpone the course due to low enrollment. A full refund will be given if course is canceled.

Basic and Advanced Short Course agenda:

Basic Cheese Making Short Course Agenda Advanced Cheese Making Short Course Agenda

Basic Cheese making Short Course

The Basic Cheese Making Short Course is a three-day class designed for the beginning cheese maker and those who have never made cheese before. The class will include an introduction to milk, cheese, dairy cultures and the steps in cheese making. Students will spend a day in the pilot plant making three varieties of cheese the old fashioned way, by hand.

Date: February 25-27, 2025
Price: $725 

Advanced Cheese making Short Course

This four-day class is for people who have cheese making experience and want to expand their knowledge of milk chemistry, cheese chemistry, curd handling and controlling cheese manufacture. This class will cover the basics of how to make cheese as well as a more in-depth exploration of the science of cheese making and flavor development of cheese. Students will spend two days in the pilot plant making several different varieties of cheese.

Date: March 11-14, 2025
Price: $1,150

Networked Workshops

Oregon State University - Ice cream and cheese
Washington State University - Basic and advance cheese
EAS Consulting Group - Food safety



Artisan and Farmstead Resources

Safe Cheese making Hub

A website co-developed with the American Cheese Society that centralizes relevant food safety resources www.safecheesemaking.org

Food Safety Basics for Artisan Cheese makers

Online food safety training that results in a certificate upon completion www.usdairy.com/artisan