About Us
Our Mission
Many small dairy farms around the country continue to struggle with the low price of milk and “nut milk” on the rise. Our love of cheese, along with wanting to be able to keep our Jersey cows and dairy going, prompted us to create Jersey Girl Cheese. We hope to create an experience you would only have if you were on a dairy farm in Southern Italy. We are happy and proud to be making our cheeses at Hillcrest Orchard and Dairy located in Branchville New Jersey. Our cheese room and aging cave are steps from the milking barn. From our farm to your home, fresh and aged authentic Italian style cheese that you can truly say is fresh and local.
Our Milk
Our small-batch facility is located at Hillcrest Orchard & Dairy in Branchville, NJ. We care for our own Jersey cows which allows us to oversee the quality of the animals and milk. The term "Farmstead" can describe our cheese since we produce our own milk. Jersey cows are known for having high in protein and butterfat. Also has a characteristic yellowish tint that changes throughout the year. In the spring, the cows are out in the pastures most of their time eating grass. This gives our milk a golden tint which in turn produces a more yellow colored cheese. In late fall, there is very limited pasture. Our cows are fed silage, hay, and corn which is all produced on our farm. During this time, the milk is more white in color.
Our Cheese
The term “Farmstead” can describe our cheese since we produce our own milk. Since we care for our own cows, we are able to oversee the quality of the animals and the milk being produced. Our cows graze in our pastures most of the year and are also fed silage, hay and corn grown by us on our farm. Jersey cows are known for producing milk high in protein and butterfat which is perfect for making superior cheeses.
Our Cave
Our underground cave was built with great care as this is the place where our aged cheese rest from 2 weeks for up to a year. There are three factors which are crucial in the aging process temperature, humidity and airflow. Creating the right balance is essential to the producing amazing cheeses. We also use kiln-dried Ash wood planks for the cheese to rest on which contributes to the aging process by allowing the cheese to breathe and develop a consistent rind.