Farmstead Cheese Production, Processing Facility Opens in Virginia

Ewes Guys LLC, doing business as Twenty Paces, is opening operations for its new farmstead sheep and goat milk cheese production and processing facility in Albemarle County in Virginia.  

The company, which focuses on high-quality, sustainably made products, will invest $321,000 in a facility at Bellair Farms and create seven new jobs. In addition to producing high-end cheeses and meats for restaurants and specialty cheese retailers, Twenty Paces will ensure the transfer of farming expertise between generations through an apprenticeship program, dedicated to sharing dairy farming knowledge with the community.

The Commonwealth is partnering with Albemarle County and Twenty Paces on this project through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund. 

Speaking about the investment, Gov. Terry McAuliffe stated, “I am pleased to announce that Twenty Paces will open this new artisanal cheese production facility in Albemarle County, furthering Virginia’s reputation as a leader in the specialty food industry and helping to build the new Virginia economy. With this announcement, we continue to realize the benefits of fully integrating agriculture and forestry into the state’s strategic economic development platform. Supporting entrepreneurs with unique business models is another way for Virginia to grow and diversify our economy.” 

With a newly renovated and expanded creamery, Twenty Paces will produce high-quality sheep and goat milk, as well as process, age, and distribute farmstead cheeses for a rapidly growing artisanal cheese market in the United States. 

A true entrepreneurial startup, Twenty Paces will also produce grass-fed lamb and goat meat for restaurants and specialty food retailers in the Commonwealth and along the East Coast. This new artisanal product will bolster Virginia’s reputation as a center for artisanal food production. Twenty Paces will use 100 percent Virginia-grown sheep and goat milk for its products.  

Through this investment, Twenty Paces will utilize working farmlands and an existing barn at Bellair Farms to produce its farmstead specialty cheeses, supporting the Commonwealth’s largest economic driver, agriculture. Realizing the importance of the next generation of farmers in Virginia, the company is committed to sharing dairy farm knowledge with others in the community through its apprenticeship program.  

“Twenty Paces is honored to be recognized by Albemarle County and the governor through this AFID grant,” said Kyle Kilduff, co-owner of Twenty Paces. “Their support, as well as the support of Bellair Farm owner, Cynthia Davis, and farm manager, Jamie Barrett, helps ensure the success of Twenty Paces in Virginia’s growing artisanal cheese industry.  

“Twenty Paces is committed and proud to carry on the family farm and entrepreneurial tradition through farmstead cheese production and management-intensive grazing. These practices improve pasture, produce flavorful milk and cheese, and also lower our cost of production, allowing us to provide jobs in our community through a sustainable business model for years to come.”