The visitor's center at the Hilmar Cheese Company educates consumers on the health benefits of products made with the Real California Milk as well as the important environmental steps the industry is taking. One of their most successful programs is their popular Cheese-Making University where school-age children learn about their food.

"We actually bring about 16,000 kids a year through our educational classes," says Chuck Ahlem. "That's a real big part of our family's push - as well as the California dairymen - to try and educate the consumer on what we're about."

Students at the Cheese-Making University feel the milking pulse of a live dairy cow, touch dairy and cheese making equipment and learn about the new food guide pyramid. They can even learn how to make cheese and ice cream, as academic skills such as reading, science and math are reinforced. Older kids learn about future careers in the dairy industry, and families are making regular visits too. No wonder the Hilmar Cheese Company is one of the most popular Field Trip destinations in the Central Valley.