I got my start as a cheesemaker while raising Nubian dairy goats on my family farm in Longmont, Colorado.  I had more delicious farm-fresh goat milk on hand than we could drink so I began learning how to make cheese with the excess.  At first I was self-taught, but I eventually took an advanced cheesemaking course from Larry and Linda Faillace of the Three Shepherds Farm of Vermont as well as several other renown cheesemaking educators.  After winning a champion ribbon in a local amateur cheesemaking contest, I was asked to teach a class through Colorado State Extension Services and soon a new hobby-business began.  Although my background is in counseling, life coaching & training, I have found that these skills translate well into my role as a cheesemaking teacher and like to think of myself as a Cheese Coach!

In October of 2014 I decided to pursue teaching full time and The Art of Cheese was born.  Initially located in a shared classroom in downtown Longmont and then within a local cheesemaking creamery, by 2019 we decided to build a classroom right on the farm so students could visit our friendly goat herd after classes. We offer year-round in-person classes there and now, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, we also offer a wide variety of online classes and a robust certification program.

In addition to running the cheesemaking school I have also been active with our local 4-H program and county fair and have written two books, Tiny Goat, Big Cheese and Say Cheese!

I began my cheese journey when I moved from Wisconsin to Colorado in 2014 and became a cheesemonger at Whole Foods Market. Obsessed with learning everything I could about cheese, I started volunteering at Mountain Flower Goat Dairy in Boulder to get to know the main ingredient – milk. I fell in love with farming and began making my own cheese, which is when I found The Art of Cheese. I took a few classes and then felt so inspired with cheesemaking that I took a huge leap and decided to spend seven months in Washington state at Mountain Lodge Farm, a farmstead creamery in the foothills of Mt Rainier. I gained invaluable experience there as a farmer, cheesemaker and affineur. I returned home to Colorado as an American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professional and began working as a cheesemaker at Haystack Mountain Cheese in Longmont. I am thrilled to be bringing my cheesemaking experience full circle by joining the Art of Cheese team.

I’ve always been passionate about cheese – eating it! So when my brother-in-law suggested that we turn our rural property into a dairy goat farm and begin making our own cheese, I couldn’t say no. Fourteen goats and more than a hundred cheeses later, I continue to refine my cheesemaking craft under the tutelage of Kate and Kelly at the Art of Cheese. I hope to someday soon open my own creamery. In the meantime, I’m honored to have the opportunity to share my love of goats, cheese, and cheesemaking by teaching in-person classes at The Art of Cheese.  In my spare time, I don a wig and sing in the front-line of the award winning B-52s tribute band, Hey, Lady!

In 2013 my husband said “Hey! We should learn to make cheese!” And now “we” are hopelessly obsessed with cheesemaking.   I have been a big foodie my whole life – starting at 2 years old, making chocolate chip cookies alongside my Mom.   My husband and I learned cheesemaking at The Art of Cheese, completing the highest level in-house certification. My interest in Spanish cheeses has led me on some great adventures, visiting cheesemakers in Spain, and learning techniques that are rarely taught in the U.S.  I’ve even won a couple of local cheese competitions with my homemade Manchego.  I teach the Spanish cheese classes at The Art of Cheese and also teach cooking classes through my own business, Foodie Friends.

I’m an International sports photojournalist who operates from my home bases in Longmont, Colorado, USA, and Denia, Alicante, Spain. I’ve been a photographer for over 30 years, although I did get sidetracked with corporate jobs for a few years. I also photograph travel, events, lifestyle, and people. And now… cheese! Lots and lots of cheese. You can see more of my work on my personal website, Al Milligan Images.