Shepherd’s Way Farms

Steven Read and Jodi Ohlsen Read started Shepherd’s Way Farms in rural Carver County in 1994. After moving their growing flock to Nerstrand, MN in 2001, they began producing farmstead cheese while growing their herd of sheep.

January 2005 marked a distressing time for the family, as an arsonist fire destroyed more than 500 sheep and lambs as well as their barn and livestock housing.

Rebuilding the flock and the farm in years since, the farmstead cheesemakers have maintained their standards of excellence as one of Minnesota’s most talented artisan producers.

Their flagship cheese, Friesago, is a semi-aged nine pound wheel, distinctively dipped in black wax. The cheese is dense with a rich, buttery and nutty flavor and a slightly grainy texture hinting at a likeness to Manchego. Tagged as a “must try” by Food and Wine Magazine.

Shepherd’s Hope, a fresh style cheese, is similar in style to a queso fresco. Made with 100% sheep’s milk, the milky fresh cheese is moist and light. It’s available in an original, plain flavor or a garlic and herb variety.

Big Woods Blue (named for the nearby Big Woods State Park) is a striking seven pound wheel. Big in flavor, expect robust yet balanced tastes of… nutty, spicy, sharp and sweet.

The newest member of their collection is Hidden Falls. This cheese combines sheep’s milk with organic pasture-based cow’s milk. Jodi crafts four pound soft-ripened wheels which develop a downy white rind and a soft, creamy-rich interior with a mushroomy, earthy flavor. Hidden Falls has a limited availability.

At Shepherd's Way Farms, we believe that there is a way to live that combines hard work, creativity, respect for the land and animals, and a focus on family and friends. We believe the small family-based farm still has a place in our society. Everything we do, everything we make, is in pursuit of this goal.
—Steven & Jodi Ohlsen Read

Nationally recognized for her talents, the cheesemaker in the family, Jodi, has a fat stack of ribbons won for entries in the American Cheese Society’s annual competitions.

While Steven and Jodi may seem to do the heavy lifting (managing the herd of Friesian sheep, milking, cheesemaking, teaching classes, delivering, marketing and so much more), it’s a family affair at Shepherd’s Way Farms. Their four sons, Aidan, Elia, Isaiah and Maitias can also be seen all around the Twin Cities conducting in-store product sampling and working many of our area farmer’s markets. The family also produces wool products for the home, fresh eggs, meat and sausage.

Classic Provisions is proud to offer their fine cheeses!