FAQ

There's no charge to attend Cheese State. We're funded by the hard-working Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin who are probably just as obsessed with cheese as you.

Although we are admittedly a bit biased towards Wisconsin, the Field Guide and related Cheese State content covers the world of cheese, regardless of provenance.

The Field Guide covers everything from the ancient origins of cheese to modern-day cheesemaking. It also covers how cheeses are classified and how to identify defects, as well as retail best practices like food safety, merchandising, and much more.  

Beyond the Field Guide, you’ll also find stories about cheeses and cheesemakers, information about how to respond to customers questions and requests, access to live events, and more.  

Cheese State was not created as a training resource for the CCP, the Field Guide curriculum might help you to prepare for the exam. 

Of course! The world of cheese is deliciously vast, so there’s always more to learn. Beyond the Field Guide, our community of fellow professionals can receive tailored training, and chat with cheese experts.

The Cheese State Field Guide comes with an optional exam which, if passed, allows you to officially become a certified Cheese State Scholar. With all of the bragging rights therein. Plus you’ll be eligible for alumni-only events and for our next level of curriculum, Cheese State Fellow and eventually, Cheese State Laureate (when available).

This program is entirely self-guided, so you can take as much time as you need. We estimate it’ll take the average user about 8-10 hours to go through all of the course material and take the exam. If you are taking the course at the request of your employer, they may have specific requirements like passing the exam and finishing the course in a specific timeframe. 

Heck yea. Add the certificate initials (CSS) to your email signature. Maybe even make it your next tattoo?

You betcha.

Nope. Our education program is available to any cheese professional who wants in.

We won’t lie: Cheese State University and the Field Guide work best on a desktop. But we know you’re on your feet a lot and sometimes mobile is the way you have to go, so everything is accessible on tablet and mobile devices.

Currently Cheese State University is available in English, but you can expect to become fluent in Turophile by the time you’re done.

Unfortunately, Cheese State is only open to cheese professionals, but we have some other resources that you might like.

• Recipes 
• The Cheese Life Blog 
• Cheeselandia 

We are happy to help! Contact hello@cheesestateuniversity.com

 If you are not currently working in a cheese-related capacity, as verified by your email address and job title, you will not receive a login to proceed. 

If you are a cheese (culinary or retail) professional and have received this message by mistake, please contact hello@cheesestateuniversity.com. 

Thank you for being a supporter of Wisconsin cheese. This is continuing professional education for people already working in the cheese industry. If that’s not you, check out WisconsinCheese.com for information on all the state’s cheesemakers and their amazing cheeses, recipes and pairings. Maybe you’ll make a career change!

Again, this is continuing professional education solely for people already working in the cheese industry. Instead, check out our online community of cheese enthusiasts, Cheeselandia, where we have regular educational (and fun!) events. You can also find lots of inspiration on our website, like recipes, pairing ideas, fun cheese facts and tutorials on things like correctly cutting cheese varieties, creating appealing cheeseboards, and lots more.