It’s Sunday Morning: Time to Talk Cheeses – Interview With Bob Stetson of Westfield Farm

Bob and Debbie. Photo Copyright Cheese By Hand

Westfield Capri Goat Cheese is a favorite around the manse. The Lady was introduced to this cheese while she was in NYC at Murray’s…

Westfield Farm has been handcrafting award-winning farmstead cheeses in Hubbardston, Mass., since 1971. Located on 20 acres in Central Massachusetts, the farm turns out a little over 1500 pounds of cheese per week. In 1996, their Bluebonnet Capri won Best of Show at the American Cheese Society Competition. Their cheese is available in specialty food shops like Murray’s and finer restaurants. You can also order their fine chevre through their website.

Spaulding: First of all, thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions for our readers. I really appreciate it!!!

Spaulding Gray: Your farm has been making chevre since 1971. Tell us about the evolution of your farm. Did you begin with goats and if so, what drew you to goats rather than sheep or cows?

Bob Stetson: My wife Debby and I  did not begin making chevre until 1996. Bob and Letty Kilmoyer began making goat cheese at Westfield Farm sometime in the 1970s, as a hobby that developed into a commercial enterprise. What happened is that one of Bob’s students at Clark University (where he was a mathematics professor), entrusted him with a couple of goats over the summer, and then never retrieved them. Before long they were wondering what they could do with a steady supply of goat milk when someone suggested they try making a fresh chevre. It was a big hit among their friends and they eventually decided to try to sell it to some adventurous cheese shops in and around Boston. By 1980 they were operating a real business from their home. Letty had quit her job as emergency room nurse to tend the business full time and Bob soon left his job at the university as well.

By 1995, they were milking a herd of some 80 Nubian and Alpine goats, as well as purchasing goat milk from several area farms. But it had gotten  to be too much and they decided to retire. They sold their herd of goats (since they were already buying more milk than producing, and put an ad in the Boston Globe offering their farm and their business as well as some training to anyone interested.

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