Nation's First Organic Goat & Sheep Whey Plant to Break Ground July 9 in Reedsburg
Wisconsin Specialty Protein to create 20 jobs, build environmentally-friendly

For Release: June 25, 2008
Contacts: Jeanne Carpenter, DBIC, 608-358-7837
Tera Johnson, WI Specialty Protein, 608-358-1556


REEDSBURG – Wisconsin Specialty Protein, LLC, the first facility in the country to process whey specifically from organic goat and sheep cheese, will break ground in Reedsburg on July 9.

A special ground breaking ceremony with Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen, Commerce Secretary Jack Fischer and several local and state officials will begin at 10 a.m. in the Reedsburg Industrial Park. Interview and photo opportunities with Wisconsin Specialty Protein partners will be available to the media.

The $14 million venture is expected to create 20 full-time jobs and build on the success of specialty cheesemakers in the area. According to CEO Tera Johnson, the facility will be environmentally friendly, preserving wetlands on the site and will obtain a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, a nonprofit environmental organization.

"The plant's only air emissions will be steam," Johnson said. "The facility will feature extensive heat recovery, as well as the filtering and reuse of water, passive solar design elements, environmentally friendly building materials, minimized site paving to preserve green space, and rain gardens for storm water management."

The 21,000 sq. ft. facility is being designed and built by Consolidated Construction Co., Inc. of Appleton. The sustainable design will not only reduce negative impacts on the environment, but also improve the health and comfort of the building's occupants. Green buildings offer significant economic benefits including reduction in building operating costs and improved asset value. Construction is expected to be completed in the spring of 2009.

EVENT DETAILS

  • Date: Wed., July 9, 2008
  • Time: 10 a.m.
  • What: Wisconsin Specialty Protein LLC Ground Breaking Ceremony
  • Location: 522 Greenway Court, Reedsburg, WI 53959

The DBIC is a non-profit organization offering technical assistance to dairy entrepreneurs in developing and marketing value-added dairy products. For more information about the DBIC, call Jeanne Carpenter, 608-358-7837 or visit www.dbicusa.org.