You can find Fuzzy Udder’s fresh, soft-ripened, and hard-aged cheeses in their farm store, at retail establishments throughout Maine, at 4 farmers’ markets, and, of course, right here at Rising Tide Co-op- where you can find the best selections of Maine cheeses in the whole state, according to our friends at Fuzzy Udder. We are so fortunate to have such innovative, inclusive, welcoming, and empowering farmers and cheesemakers in our community. The success of the creamery and Maine Milk Mavens means they have outgrown their current farm, which is a success story for all of us. What does Fuzzy Udder’s future look like? The creamery will continue producing incredible cheese, Maine Milk Mavens will continue playing an important role in growing Maine’s cheese industry, and, with any luck, Jessie and Olivia will move the business to a bigger farm. Maine’s cheese industry is growing at an impressive rate, which is hugely supported by this new distribution channel.

Recently, because of pandemic-related supply chain issues, Fuzzy Udder built a bustling distribution enterprise called the Maine Milk Mavens, moving products from 16 creameries around the state. For this reason, we purposely never buy anything from Amazon and support local businesses as much as possible.” When we ask Jessie and Olivia about how their values reflect their business decisions, Jessie said, “We carefully research the impact of everything we buy, from how it is made to what it is made with to how our investment will impact people. In the typically heteronormative and often transphobic world of agriculture, Fuzzy Udder has become a haven for queer folks seeking a farm experience that is both positive and transformative. Jessie and Olivia are overtly empowering of queer and trans folks, often welcoming them to become part of the farm family as staff or by offering shelter in their farmhouse. If you get the chance to visit, you will immediately notice how uniquely welcoming and inclusive the culture is on the farm. To say that Fuzzy Udder is a special farm would be an understatement. Olivia came on board 5 years ago, opening new marketing and growth opportunities for the farm. Since then, Jessie has cultivated a farm business that is truly values-driven, with a strong focus on environmental stewardship, animal welfare, and employee wellbeing. Jessie started #LincolnLocal Fuzzy Udder in Unity in 2011 before moving the operation down here in 2013. Jessie Dowling, Olivia Barber, and the rest of their Fuzzy Udder cream team make a dozen of Maine’s best cheeses using milk from the 50 goats and sheep that live on their Whitefield farm, Jersey cow milk from Grace Pond Farm, and sheep milk from Misty Brook in Albion.

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