It's funny because you would think with our natural love of cheese, we would be sure to have one. Not to mention, we are, in fact, nicknamed the Cheese State.
So tell me, dear Wisconsinites, why don't we have a state cheese?
Wisconsin has been branded as the cheese state for decades. We make the most cheese of any other state in the country. Better yet, when put on a global platform, Wisconsin, by itself, ranks fourth in the world for production of cheese. See, we aren't called cheese-heads for nothing. In fact, cheese-heads, in a way, could be considered a logo of Wisconsin. And that, my friends, is how you brand a state.
Now, if you haven't heard all of the buzz, here's a quick recap for you; hidden in a little town in central Wisconsin, lies the home of the only cheese which was developed, produced, and sold all in Wisconsin. Let's go back to 1885, when the first block of Colby Cheese was created in the great town of Colby, Wisconsin. Joseph Steinwand was a local who wanted to create a unique cheese with a mild, soft, and moist flavor to it. It's like cheddar, but we made it so much better. And now, over a century later, this small town is fighting to make Colby cheese the state cheese of Wisconsin, and we are so proud to do it.
Now I say "we", because this hits home for me, because Colby is home for me. And I will always stand by the accomplishments of my small town. We, as a town, have been branded by this cheese, and we use it whenever we can. When I tell people where I'm from, their first response is "like the cheese?" That response, that initial correspondence, is what makes this bill so incredibly important to not only my town, but the state of Wisconsin. As Matt Oehmichen, a Colby local stated, "the heartbeat of Wisconsin comes from its rural communities and the small hometowns like mine." I don't think anyone could've explained Wisconsin any better.
So why then, if we are so known for being "cheese-heads", a "cheese state", and "putting cheese on our cheese": I ask you, Wisconsin Law Makers, what is the holdup in passing our bill? Why doesn't Wisconsin have a state cheese? And better yet, why aren't we using the incredible cheese which was developed right here, in the heart of our beautiful state?
Colby cheese is one hundred percent authentic Wisconsin. As a state, Wisconsin can be known for the Badgers, the Packers, and dairy farms, but other states can relate. The Minnesota Gophers attempted to keep their Axe. The New England Patriots have been to the Super Bowl one too many times. And for some reason, California thinks dairy farming keeps them a "rural" state. See, other states can match what we have. But dear Wisconsinites, tell me one state that cares more about cheese than we do? Tell me one state that has a cheese they can call their own?
Colby doesn't just own their cheese, they take pride in it. When you enter our little town, you are greeted with a "Welcome to Colby: Home of the Colby Cheese." Every third weekend of July, stop by for our small town carnival, Colby Cheese Days, where fried cheese curds are sold by the buckets. This year, in 2020, our own high school, varsity show choir has themed their entire show, "Coming Home to Colby". We now even have our own original song. And you can bet, our show choir kids danced with cheese-heads on.
Cheese, in Wisconsin, is a way of life. You're backyard bar-b-ques are not complete without a slice of cheese on your hamburger. You're fridge is not full if the top drawer isn't filled with cheese. You're dairy breakfasts aren't the same without a huge bowl of fresh, squeaky cheese curds. And you're town, county, and state fairs are not real if there isn't a fried cheese curd stand.
We are forever branded by the cheese-head. We can't get rid of it. We take pride in our cheese and we enjoy every squeak. Wisconsin without cheese wouldn't be Wisconsin. Stop denying us the right, and give us our state cheese. We've been branded. This look isn't going away.
Currently, our bill to make Colby, the state cheese, is being stalled by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. They believe, if Colby Cheese, is given a state title, it will be at a marketing advantage to other cheeses in the state. We are also being halted by Representative Tauchen's Office. Why he has sent excuse after excuse about this bill we don't know, but there is a way to end that.
Well, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, this is what I have to say. We do not care about the "marketing advantage" Colby Cheese may or may not receive when this bill passed. We, as a small town and as a state, care about creating an image, a brand for this state. You preach "the excellence of our dairies and Wisconsin cheeses" and yet, you stand in the way of giving our state the recognition it deserves of such a prideful accomplishment.
Colby Cheese is home to Wisconsin. It cannot be tied to any other state because it was created here. So why wouldn't we want to recognize that and proudly show the nation and the world, that we are, in fact, the cheese state.
Here's what I need you to do:
- Make a Statement
- We need to show Wisconsin Law Makers that this is a statewide issue, and there is awareness with it outside of the Colby town walls
- Join the fight for this bill to pass
- Put the pressure on Tauchen's Office and Staff
- email their offices and tell them you're in favor of the bill &
- rep.tauchen@legis.wisconsin.gov
- call them to say you support Colby Cheese as the State Cheese
- 608-266-3079
- Create Awareness
- We are proud to be the Cheese State so don't hold it in
- Post pictures, captions, videos. Anything to bring the attention to our pride of our cheese
- Pass the Bill
- Give Wisconsin the brand it deserves, but let's put it into the law
- We won't just be known as the Cheese State, we will actually be the Cheese State
Support the Bill. Support the Community.
Support Colby Cheese.
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