A new generation takes lead at Lively Run Dairy, as former Head Cheesemaker, Suzanne Messmer, passes the title on to her son, Pete Messmer
About Pete Messmer:
From a fairly young age, Pete has been engulfed in the family farm and cheesemaking lifestyle. In 1995, his parents purchased Lively Run Goat Dairy.
Throughout the years, Suzanne taught her son everything she knew about cheese, the cheese making process, and the cheese industry.
Pete grew up learning to appreciate the intricacies and details needed to operate a dairy by helping out with chores on the farm, and once he was old enough he began to work in the cheese making room during the summer. Pete has been involved with Lively Run Dairy for almost twenty years now.
"During the summer of 2010, after I graduated college, I got more and more interested in the actual cheese making process and the intricacies of running the business and trying to improve the current farm," Pete stated. "By the end of the year, I figured out that I really wanted to make cheese and that I should be doing this all the time."
A lot of Pete's admiration for the culinary arts is actually due to the Messmer family's rich ancestral history in Germany. While visiting his remaining family in Germany over the years, Pete learned to not just taste food, but analyze its flavors and textures to determine what would make a great meal.
New Plans for Lively Run Dairy:
Pete is extremely proud to be the new Head Cheesemaker of Lively Run Dairy, as the business is in the midst of an ongoing expansion. This includes expanding the Lively Run Dairy product line, improving the tourism experience, enlarging the cheese shop, and introducing prepared food such as goat cheese cheesecakes. Just this past April, Lively Run won the 2015 New York State Small Business Development Center's Agricultural Business of the Year Award.
As a driven and talented Cheesemaker, Pete is excited to take on the challenging task of Head Cheesemaker and lead Lively Run Dairy into the future.
"It's really cool to be part of a business that has been in the family for so long, and to think about where we started and how far we are today...that is a big part of why I got into the business in the first place: to continue its legacy." – Pete Messmer
Pete dreams to someday have a small café that has recipes featuring Lively Run cheese.
About Lively Run Dairy:
Lively Run Goat Dairy is one of the longest operating commercial goat dairies in the country, beginning production in New York State in 1982 and pioneering goat cheese in the American marketplace. Their delicious artisan goat and cow cheeses have become a staple in kitchens across the Finger Lakes and beyond. Their products contain no preservatives, no food colorings, no artificial additives of any kind, and use only vegetable rennet.
For more information about Pete Messmer and his Head Cheese Maker position, please visit http://livelyrun.com/from-the-farmer/meet-our-new-head-cheesemaker-pete-messmer/
