Located at 50 Fairmount Road, Long Valley, is Valley Shepherd Creamery. The farm is owned by Husband and Wife, Eran and Deb Wajswol. The farm sits on over 200 acres of land, which holds over 250 animals, along with their Cheese Cave. The farm runs two tours per year during the spring and fall seasons.
At the farm, visitors can see their lovely animals. In the front of their store is a horse Pumpkin; three miniature donkeys Blue, Hershey, and Matt (also known as Eenie, Meenie, and MineyMo); an alpaca Henry; a ram Paul; and a sheep Sylvia. These animals are out all year round, so people are welcome to stop in and say hi to their friends! People are also allowed to feed the animals carrots or apples if they please! Inside the shop, you can purchase some of their many products. The store has all their yogurts, cheeses, butters, and many more things. For holidays or birthdays, you can purchase baskets that are handmade by the staff! The shop is open all year round from Thursday-Saturday 10-5, and Sundays 11-5.
The Cheese Cave is located in the very back of the farm. This is only ever seen by the workers, owner, and people who take their fall Cave Tour. The Cave is built so that the cheese made on the farm can age properly. The cave consists of different rooms, all of which can be changed to different temperatures to fit each cheese. One could need a 92 degree room, while the other needs 95 degrees. The small differences that people don’t see can mean a lot to the process of the food.
Both tours start with everyone sitting down in their observation gallery and watching a ten minute movie about how their cheese is
made, and a little bit about their farm. Visitors then will see the cheese room where the cheese is made, and you can take a look inside their oscillator, and barn. After this, it depends on your tour. The Spring Tour allows you to hold their baby lambs and goats.
Fall Tours are known as the Cave Tours. During this tour, you watch the movie about the cheese process, see the cheese room and oscillator room, and then you take a 10 minute wagon ride up to their cave, and see all the cheese aging in the cave. During this, you can ask your tour guide any questions you have about the cheese or the farm itself. After your time in the cave, you will take the 10 minute ride back down to the farm, where you can then shop around and spend time with their animals.
Missy Zonfrillo is the manager at VSC, and has worked at VSC for 2 years. Working at VS is a positive experience for everyone. “It’s mostly independent within a family owned business. No union, board of execs, etc to answer to.” Zonfrillo found the job through online advertising. “I didn’t like my previous bridge job and this was really close to my house. I liked the owner and so far it’s worked out really well.” Zonfrillo’s favorite cheese is Soprano. “The cave tour is less work but the lambs are cuter. Cave-less work ha!” Making people’s days are always a plus for Zonfrillo. “You make people smile often by accident. You’ll have no idea someone’s on the edge when you sell them a bit of cheese and a couple of carrots for the animals, then they come in with tears in their eyes over one small authentic experience that shook them away from their problems. Even if for a moment. Those are the ones I like best.” According to Zonfillo, The most common misconception is “that we make the cheese and milk the animals but all we do is work in the shop.” The job is a mix of fun and real world experience. “I would recommend this job to others. It’s a fun job. You just have to think in the retail world and love the farm world.”
Lauren Zito is one of the 6 cashiers who work at VSC. Zito first started in March of 2023. Zito found the job through a friend. Zito also likes the cave tours more and loves trying new products. Like Zonfrillo, Zito loves Soprano the most out of all of their cheeses. “I love meeting new people and being able to expand my palate,” said Zito. Since the farm is called Valley Shepherd Creamery, some people mistake the store for something it’s not. “This is a set up, we don’t sell ice cream,” said Zito. The job is a fun way to learn about making cheese, while also getting experience in retail. Zito recalls, “I needed money, but I thought it was weird. I learned that it’s so much fun and it’s a great first job!”
Nicolas Drew is another cashier at VSC. He started 8 months ago. Drew, like Zito and Zonfrilo, loves Soprano the most. “I think the lamb tour is more fun,” states Drew. Drew’s aunt is the manager, so she hired him when she needed help. “I thought the job was going to be interesting so I took it,” said Drew. Since the shop is only open 4 days a week, the employees aren’t there everyday. “The hours aren’t stressful,” said Drew. Like Zito and Zonfrillo, Drew has also heard a plethora of misconceptions. “People think we sell milk,” said Drew.
If you’re ever wondering what to do on a weekend, take a trip to Valley Shepherd Creamery!
