experienced many years of double-digit growth. " The one thing you have to balance as a company that is still completely family-owned is how much and what initiatives we can launch and in what time frame they can be achieved given the fact we haven't taken any investment money, " Callahan said. Securing a workforce suited for the operation is another challenge Bellwether had to overcome. To that end, the company has hosted exchange students who desire to work on agriculture operations in the United States. Additionally, Callahan said incorporating new equipment into an active operating facility without disrupting the production process presents challenges. After developing its base in sheep's milk products, starting in 1994 Bellwether Farms expanded into production of cow products made with milk from Jersey cows. One of its first cow's milk products was crème fraiche. Callahan said the company is looking for continued growth in the future from its signature sheep milk yogurts, newly launched line of fresh sheep cheeses, organic cow milk yogurts and a whole milk ricotta. He said he hopes to help educate consumers about how flavorful ricotta can be on its own and develop a niche for it as a specialty cheese, and not just an ingredient to be used in other foods. ENCOURAGING REGENERATIVE FARMING As the chief executive officer of Irvine, Calif.-based cottage cheese brand Good Culture, Jesse Merrill said the company 34 MAR-APR 2022 | DAIRYPROCESSING.COM Bellwether Farmshttp://www.wnapt.com