Hilltopper Creamery & Farm Market

The Hilltopper Creamery & WKU Farm Market is a value-added retail location that displays farm fresh products produced alongside students as part of their educational experience within WKU’s Agriculture & Food Science Dept. The Hilltopper Creamery was established to demonstrate that the small family dairy farm is not a relic of the past. Producers do not need a large herd to be successful in the dairy industry because they can thrive by producing and selling value-added products such as cheese, yogurt, ice cream etc. Our facility puts this concept into practice by producing award winning artisan cheese from our own 50-60 head milking operation. We are capable of producing up to 500 lbs. of cheese while still having additional milk to sell or create other dairy products with.

Value-added products, direct consumer sales, and Agritourism are becoming and increasing percentages of farm profits. This unit allots students the opportunity to fully experience the field of Agriculture today, by gaining experience in dairy production, food packaging, marketing, customer service, direct sales, and online sales. We sell a variety of award-winning artisan cheeses, fresh & dry aged beef, greenhouse plants, and seasonally available fruits and vegetables directly to the community, wholesale to local businesses, and to be served to students on campus! .

Students gain a variety of guided Agritourism experiences through facility and farm tours, event management, community workshops, educational seminars, and conferences. In 2022, we welcomed over 450 visitors for more than 45 tours and 15 special events and participated in more than 15 off-farm community events. Events include student and community group tours, cheese making classes, guided cheese tastings, charcuterie board grazing events, farmers markets, community fundraising pop-up markets, local festivals, and hosted conferences. We co-hosted 2 community workshops alongside the Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (SDBII) Program and the Dairy Product Association of Kentucky (DPAK), that welcomed dairy farmers and cheese makers from across the state and covered topics including foodborne illness, food safety hazards (biological, chemical, physical), pasteurization, plant cleanliness, and a hands-on day of cheese making.

Our award-winning cheeses are handmade by students that are guided by a skilled fromagère adept in the art of traditional small batch artisan caseiculture. In 2019 our inaugural debut at the Kentucky State Fair we earned a ribbon in every class entered and brought home 6 Blue Ribbons and 1 Gold Medal Award. We are proud to announce the foundation of excellence continues in 2022 where we won 4 Blue Ribbons and 4 Gold Medal Awards! This year’s winning varieties are the Fresh Cheese Curds, Colby, Mild Cheddar, and Jalapeño Pepper Jack.

Shop Today, Shipping & Pick-Up

While in the Bowling Green area, we invite you to stop by our retail store located at the WKU Agriculture & Research Education Center (AREC) a.k.a the WKU Farm off of Nashville Road. If you don't have time to browse around, we offer online ordering & pickup options daily and FREE local delivery on Fridays. Our retail store is open Tuesday-Friday from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM.  

Shop online today via our online store where cheese can be ordered and shipped anywhere in the U.S. during the winter months.

Take advantage of Free Delivery Fridays!

Every Friday we offer FREE delivery to your home or office in Warren County.

Shipping

Cheese shipping options vary depending on product and weather restrictions. Due to seasonal temperatures, shipping is available during the months of November to Early/Mid March. Start planning your holiday shopping lists for your events, friends, and relatives today!

See you soon!

Thank you for supporting WKU Agriculture & Food Science and Hilltopper Creamery! 

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Shop Online

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New Product & Restock Alerts

Cheese

• Colby
• Jalapeno Pepper Jack
• Garlic Cheddar
• Taco Cheddar

Meats

• Frozen Dry-Aged Beef
  
  • Top-Round Steak
  • Bottom Round Steak
  • Bone-In Shank
• Pork
  • Chops
  • Leg Roast

Produce

• Grapes
• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Okra
• Eggplant
• Squash
• Tamatillos
• Potatoes

Greenhouse Plants

 

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