Hunter Transition Campaign

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we begin this Go Fund Me campaign. This past Sunday, a bright star burned out and faded over the rolling hills of Appleton Maine. The young cheesemaker who was preparing to take over Appleton Creamery passed away unexpectedly. At the same time as we mourn the loss of a fellow cheesemaker the fate of this founding member of the Maine Cheese Guild hangs in the balance.

Caitlin Hunter is retiring after over 30 years of operations in Appleton and her new business partner’s departure has made this transition tragically difficult. Without the operations of the creamery, Caitlin will need funds to complete the transition to a new home for retirement in Belfast.

For over 30 years, Caitlin has been milking goats and making cheese. She is a true pioneer of cheesemaking in Maine, training cadres of aspiring cheesemakers in the art and love of cheesemaking and goat husbandry. Her contribution to the Maine cheesemaking community has been integral to the growth of Maine Cheese. Many cheesemakers in our state and beyond developed successful creameries of their own due to her passion for teaching and dedication to cheesemaking and goat dairying.

Caitlin’s herd of milking goats is being re-homed at Fuzzy Udder Creamery. Some goats will go to other loving homes from there, but many will continue to produce luscious milk for delicious Maine cheeses. The cheesemaking and dairy equipment is for sale, so please inquire if you are interested. At this critical point, Caitlin needs to sell everything to be able to afford to make the move to her new home. The goal of this fundraiser is to help make Caitlin’s transition to retirement possible in the face of this set-back.

Please join the Maine Cheese Guild in supporting Caitlin, and her husband Brad Hunter, in helping them get through this very difficult time, not only due to these tragic circumstances but also in light of the vast contributions she has made to our cheese community here in Maine.