Public Hearing Held Tuesday on 'Colby Cheese' Bill

Wisconsin Ag Connection - Supporters of an effort to name Colby cheese as Wisconsin's official State Cheese held a public hearing on the bill at the Capitol on Tuesday. State Senator Kathy Bernier of Lake Hallie and Rep. Donna Rozar from Marshfield introduced the measure last summer.

The two GOP lawmakers, who's district includes the Clark County community of Colby, say their measure celebrates the history and innovation of local cheese manufacturing.

"In just a few generations Colby has gone from a farm family recipe to world famous, driving America's love for cheese and putting Wisconsin on the cheese making map," said Sen. Bernier.

Colby cheese was created in 1885 when 16 year-old Joseph F. Steinwand tried the cold washed curd process in his hometown of Colby, Wisconsin. Today, 45 million pounds of Colby cheese are produced in Wisconsin each year, making Colby cheese one of the most popular cheeses in Wisconsin and the nation.

If approved, the product would be included in a list of state symbols that are published every two years in the Wisconsin Blue Book.

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