Profile

Discover the Ballard Family Dairy & Cheese Tour in Idaho

Located in Gooding, Idaho, the Ballard Family Dairy & Cheese Tour offers visitors a behind-the-scenes look at a true farmstead dairy operation where milk goes directly from the family’s cows to on-site cheese production. This guided experience highlights how high-quality milk is processed, cultured, aged, and crafted into award-winning artisan cheeses.

Guests learn about modern dairy farming, sustainable practices, and the full cow-to-cheese process — all in the heart of Idaho’s dairy country.

Why it’s special: The Ballard Family Dairy & Cheese Tour is a genuine farmstead experience where the milk used for cheese comes from the same property, offering full transparency from pasture to finished product.

History & Story of Ballard Family Dairy

The Ballard family has been farming in Idaho for generations, building a reputation for high-quality dairy production. Recognizing the opportunity to create value-added products, the family launched Ballard Family Dairy & Cheese to transform their own milk into artisan cheeses.

By combining modern dairy technology with traditional cheesemaking techniques, the Ballards created a vertically integrated operation that remains locally owned and operated in Gooding County.

What You’ll See & Do on the Ballard Family Dairy & Cheese Tour

• Learn about Idaho dairy farming and herd management
• Discover how milk is pasteurized and cultured
• Observe cheesemaking and aging processes (production schedule permitting)
• Explore cold storage and packaging operations
• Enjoy guided cheese tastings

Hands-On Elements: Cheese tastings included; production areas are observation-only for safety.

Photo/Video Policy: Photography is permitted in designated visitor areas.

Souvenirs & Extras: Fresh cheese curds, aged cheeses, gift boxes, and branded merchandise available for purchase.

Pricing of the Ballard Family Dairy & Cheese Tour

Adult price: $10 per adult

Tour admission typically includes guided instruction and cheese samples.

Visiting information for Ballard Family Dairy & Cheese Tour

Duration: 60 minutes

Age limits: All ages welcome

Accessibility: Farm facility includes concrete floors; some areas may have limited mobility access

Working Hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Sunday Closed

Advance reservations are recommended for guided tours.

Nearby attractions to Ballard Family Dairy & Cheese Tour

• Thousand Springs State Park
• Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
• Malad Gorge State Park

FAQs About Visiting the Ballard Family Dairy & Cheese Tour

Is this a real working dairy farm?
Yes. Ballard Family Dairy operates as a working dairy, and the milk used in cheesemaking comes directly from their herd.

Are cheese samples included in the tour?
Yes. Guests typically receive guided cheese tastings as part of the experience.

Can visitors see the cows?
Depending on the tour format and biosecurity guidelines, visitors may view herd areas from designated observation points.

Is this suitable for children?
Yes. The educational format makes it family-friendly, though supervision is required on farm grounds.

Can visitors purchase cheese on-site?
Yes. Fresh cheese and specialty products are available for purchase in the farm store.