Founded by American cheesemaking pioneer Judy Schad, Capriole crafts award-winning Old World-inspired goat cheeses at our farm in southern Indiana.
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In 1976 we moved with our 3 young children from the suburbs to this 80 acre hill farm in southern Indiana. We wanted a more sustainable life style, a milk cow, and lots of gardens. We had no clue what we were getting into. The farm had been abandoned years before and the original house burned to its foundations. Except for an old barn and a few ramshackle outbuildings it had not seen care in a long, long time. A friend commented the land was so poor even a rabbit had to carry its lunch! But its hills and streams and woodlands were wild and beautiful and had a presence that called to us. When we received the property title, we found it had belonged to my husband's great, great grandfather in the 1870s. Whether it was fate, or just serendipity, we had come home! We located two 1800 log cabins, re-erected them over the old foundations, and began clearing, cleaning, and planting gardens. In 1977 we repaired the old barn and on a neighbor’s advice, we forgot about the cow and bought our first goat. She was far from beautiful, very cantankerous, and gave the worst milk we'd ever tasted. We were in love.
Over the years, the suburbs followed us and our cheese making grew. Early in 2012 our herd size reached over 500 animals, and we had an important decision to make. After 35 years of goat keeping we had to face the fact that our land, buildings, and energy could simply not accomodate more animals--and, we needed more milk. I suppose every business, even a small one, strives for that 'sweet spot' that's sustainable. While we never wanted a factory where we live, we also needed to grow to sustain the employees and the customers that count on us. In December of 2012, after much angst, we sold the majority of our herd to a young, Indiana dairy family that needed a milk market as much as we needed more milk. They combined our herd with theirs and sold us back the milk. Milk from a single source has always been our goal here, and it was both frightening and exciting to pass that source on to someone else. The milk is wonderful however, and the time it gives us to think about cheese making and our customers has, in just a few months, made us wonder how we were doing it before. Most exciting, is the prospect of encouraging an active, goat milk dairy in an area where all small dairies were rapidly disappearing. This is a new phase.
In 2012 we also placed our farm into Sycamore Land Trust so that our woodlands, fields, and streams will remain farmland and wildlife habitat in perpetuity. I think those great, great grandparents would be pleased to know that the land they worked would remain family farmed. Our daughter Kate is now a part of the business as well, and has a home here with her son, Sam. Perhaps, our city-folk roots have given us all a different perspective and allowed us to do what no farmer in his right mind would have attempted.
Most of all, we’re still inspired by this very special place that we, our children, and our grandchildren call home.
Judy Schad
We offer an array of handcrafted goat cheeses, ranging from tart and fresh, to soft and subtle, to hearty. Visit our website to learn more!
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