Cows and Co. Creamery of rural Carrington, N.D., took first place at the Minnesota State Fair in the artisan cheese competition with its Extra Old Gouda, aged 20 months.

This was the first cheese competition the creamery has participated in, having made cheese for only two years.

“We have been so busy with all things cheese, gelato and family for the last few years that we haven’t entered any competitions,” owner Maartje Murphy says. “When we were invited to join the competition, we knew we had to make time to enter, and we are thrilled to have our entries place so well.

“Every day, we try our best to produce a top-quality product — starting at the dairy and ending at the creamery. Without the cows being cared for first, there is no Cows and Co.”

The competition, organized by the Upper Midwest Dairy Industry Association, saw a number of entries from the region. For a full list of results, visit the association’s website.

Cows and Co. Creamery is family owned and operated. It makes premium gelato under the brand name Duchessa Gelato.

Source: Cows and Co. Creamery