2
CapitalPress.com
Friday, June 24, 2022
People & Places
Making cheese with a small footprint
By JULIA HOLLISTER
For the Capital Press
Established 1928
WILLITS, Calif. —
Shamrock Artisan cheese-
makers Gilbert and Ana Cox
have been practicing their
art of cheese making for
over 37 years.
It all began with their
daughter’s 4-H project goat
named “Manna Bitsy.”
They have been raising
dairy goats since 1972 and
in the cheese and dairy busi-
ness since 1985, originally
in Carmel Valley as Carmel
Valley Chevre, she said.
“We moved our busi-
ness to Mendocino County
in 2001,” Ana said. “Men-
docino County is a wonder-
ful pro-agriculture county
that has welcomed our busi-
ness with open arms and
great enthusiasm.”
The herd of 164 Alpine,
La Macha and Nubian goats
graze on 130 acres. The
goats are fed hay grown on
the ranch and are milked
twice a day.
“Every batch of cheese
is made with top-quality
milk,” Cox said.
The array of cheese is
made entirely on the farm.
The menu includes Plain
Chevre, Basil Chevre Feta,
Shamrock Bouchon, Gar-
lic Chevre, Chive Chevre,
Ashed Tomette, Dill Chevre,
Jalapeno Chevre and Tome
du Mendocino.
“We are a farmstead
operation,” she said. “We
produce the milk, and the
cheese is made in our cream-
ery. We are environmentally
friendly and the cheese mir-
rors that.”
The cheeses are hand-
made and hand-packaged,
she said.
The goats are fed the
whey that is left over from
Capital Press Managers
Western
Innovator
ANA COX
Joe Beach ..................... Editor & Publisher
Anne Long ................. Advertising Director
Carl Sampson .................. Managing Editor
Samantha Stinnett .....Circulation Manager
Entire contents copyright © 2022
Hometown: Willits, Calif.
EO Media Group
Occupation: Rancher
and dairy woman, Sham-
rock Artisan Goat Cheese
dba Capital Press
Family: Husband, Gilbert
Cox, who is also the chee-
semaker, and two adult
children,
Quote: “We at Shamrock
Artisan Goat Cheese are
committed to maintain-
ing a family farm and
producing high-quality
artisan cheese.”
An independent newspaper
published every Friday.
Capital Press (ISSN 0740-3704) is
published weekly by EO Media Group,
2870 Broadway NE, Salem OR 97303.
Periodicals postage paid at Portland, OR,
and at additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: send address changes to
Gilbert Cox
California Assemblyman Jim Wood, D-Santa Rosa, visits Shamrock Artisan Cheese
owner Ana Cox at the farm in Willits.
the cheese making.
“They love it, it’s also
good for them, and it means
we don’t have to dispose
of it,” she said. “All our
cheeses are made with veg-
etable rennet and not from
animal sources.”
The farm also recycles
the water used in manufac-
turing, she said.
“In short, we leave as
small a carbon footprint as
possible,” Cox said.
The farm even has fans in
the state Capitol.
“One of the most fun
parts of my job as a Cal-
ifornia Assembly mem-
ber is traveling throughout
Assembly District 2, which
spans five counties and runs
from Santa Rosa to the Ore-
gon border,” said Assembly
member Jim Wood, D-Santa
Rosa.
“A while back, I vis-
ited Shamrock Artisan Goat
Cheese in Willits, where they
create awesome farmstead
cheeses, hand-crafted in the
heart of beautiful Mendocino
County. I met with Ana Cox,
who with her husband Gil-
bert operates the farm.”
Small farms play a big
role in his district, he said.
“Small businesses are
the bedrock of the coun-
ties I have the honor to rep-
resent, and I’m always so
impressed with the dedica-
tion and quality these busi-
nesses bring to our commu-
nities and, in this case, while
preserving family farming,”
he said.
Shamrock Artisan sells its
cheese at many regional mar-
kets, including local health
food stores and co-ops.
Capital Press, P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR
97308-2048.
To Reach Us
Circulation ...........................800-781-3214
Email ........... Circulation@capitalpress.com
Main line .............................503-364-4431
News Staff
Idaho
Carol Ryan Dumas ..............208-860-3898
Boise
Brad Carlson .......................208-914-8264
Western Washington
Don Jenkins .........................360-722-6975
Eastern Washington
Matthew Weaver ................509-688-9923
Oregon
George Plaven ....................406-560-1655
Mateusz Perkowski .............800-882-6789
Sierra Dawn McClain ..........503-506-8011
Designer
Farmer-photographer shuttles from Oregon
hazelnut orchard to war zone near Ukraine
Lenexa, Kan. According to
its website, the organiza-
tion’s mission is “to improve
ELKTON, Ore. — When healthcare access around the
Robin Loznak is not in his world by ensuring quality
quiet hazelnut orchard along care is provided equitably in
the Umpqua River, he might medically under-resourced
be found in a totally differ- communities in disaster
ent environment.
situations.”
Loznak’s side job
Loznak explained
as a photojournal-
that Heart to Heart
ist has taken him to
typically
doesn’t
areas devastated by
respond to conflicts,
earthquakes, hurri-
but did in this case
canes, oil spills, tor-
with a goal of help-
ing Ukraine refu-
nados, wildfires and
Loznak
gees as they arrived
war. As an indepen-
dent contractor, he’s made in neighboring countries.
several trips with Heart to During the March trip, the
Heart International teams, team visited a border cross-
most recently in mid-March ing in Romania and a cross-
and in early May to eastern ing in Moldova. At both
European countries that bor- sites, Ukraine refugees
der Ukraine, a country that were being given hot food,
has been at war since Russia drinks and access to medical
invaded it in late February.
services.
“I specialize as a pho-
Heart to Heart had a $19
tographer,
videographer million shipment of medical
and communicator,” said supplies shipped to Roma-
Loznak. “My job is to show nia and then HOPE World-
how Heart to Heart Inter- wide, another international
national is responding — nonprofit, figured out the
to get photos and videos logistics and transportation
pushed out to the media and for getting the supplies to
to social media so Heart to refugees or to those in need
Heart stakeholders, donors in Ukraine. HOPE World-
and partners can see what is wide’s mission is serving the
poor and needy around the
happening on the ground.”
Heart to Heart Interna- world.
tional was founded in 1992
Loznak took photos and
and is a global humanitar- videos of refugees coming
ian organization based in across the border and receiv-
By CRAIG REED
For the Capital Press
Courtesy of Robin Loznak
A shipment of medical supplies by Heart to Heart Inter-
national is unloaded near a Ukrainian border crossing.
The supplies are intended to help Ukrainian refugees
who are fleeing a war zone.
ing services.
After a week’s visit, the
Heart to Heart team drove
to Poland for its sched-
uled trip back to the U.S.,
but Loznak, who was vac-
cinated, tested positive for
COVID. He had to quar-
antine in a motel room for
seven days before receiv-
ing a doctor’s approval to fly
home.
Loznak was able to get
on a tractor and mow grass
down the rows of his hazel-
nut orchard before flying out
to Slovakia, another coun-
try that borders Ukraine, on
May 4. The purpose of this
trip for the Heart to Heart
team was to meet with The
Gorta Group, an Irish non-
profit that specializes in pro-
viding medical and human-
itarian supplies into conflict
zones.
Although the Heart to
Heart team did not intend
to enter Ukraine during
this trip, on short notice the
three members did drive
5 miles over the border
to Uzhhorod to meet with
Gorta officials. This area
had had no previous war
activities, but then air raid
sirens went off during the
meeting.
The team and others
moved to a bomb shelter
below a restaurant, continu-
ing their meeting, before the
all-clear signal was given 90
minutes later. No bombs fell
and the Heart to Heart team
returned to Slovakia where
a $16 million shipment of
medical supplies was doc-
umented and transferred
to Gorta for delivery into
Ukraine.
The team returned home
May 10.
“My past experience as
a news photographer really
helps with my ability to be
quick in getting information
out from disaster zones,”
said Loznak. “I spent 20
years documenting small
community events and now
I want to be there and to
document important events
around the world.”
“I feel using my photo-
graphic skills is helpful,”
he added. “I believe what
Heart to Heart is doing is
valuable and important. My
photographs and videos are
showing the world what is
going on and allows people
to open their hearts to help
Heart to Heart provide even
more care. I seriously do
feel good about what we’re
doing and that documenting
it is important.”
Randy Wrighthouse .............800-882-6789
To Place Classified Ads
Telephone (toll free) ............800-882-6789
Online ............................CapitalPress.com
Subscriptions
Mail rates paid in advance
Easy Pay U.S. $4 /month
(direct withdrawal from bank
or credit card account)
1 year U.S. ...........................................$ 65
2 years U.S. ........................................$115
1 year Canada.....................................$230
1 year other countries ...........call for quote
1 year Internet only.............................$ 52
Visa and Mastercard accepted
To get information published
Mailing address:
Capital Press
P.O. Box 2048
Salem, OR 97308-2048
News: Contact the main office
or news staff member closest to you,
send the information to
newsroom@capitalpress.com
or mail it to “Newsroom,” c/o Capital Press.
Include a contact telephone number.
Letters to the Editor: Send your
comments on agriculture-related public
issues to opinions@capitalpress.com, or
mail your letter to “Opinion,” c/o Capital
Press. Letters should be limited to
300 words. Deadline: Noon Monday.
Capital Press ag media
CapitalPress.com
FarmSeller.com
CALENDAR
Submit upcoming ag-related events on
www.capitalpress.com or by email to news-
room@capitalpress.com.
SUNDAY-TUESDAY JUNE
26-28
Western Governors’ Association Annual
Meeting: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The meet-
ing will focus on public conversations about
the most significant issues facing the region.
Website: https://www.westgov.org
TUESDAY JUNE 28
What is Shelf Life and Shelf Life Exten-
sions (online)?: 2-3 p.m. Food Manufacturing
Specialist Catherine Cantley of TechHelp and
the University of Idaho will host a free one-
hour webinar on Shelf Life. Website: https://
www.techhelp.org/event/shelf-life/ Contact:
208-863-4259
WEDNESDAY JUNE 29
Caneberry Field Day: 1 p.m. North Wil-
lamette Research & Extension Center, 15210
NE Miley Road, Aurora, Ore. Sponsored by the
Oregon Raspberry and Blackberry Commis-
sion and the Oregon State University Exten-
sion. Meet at the Columbia Star research plot
(directly south of the main building; follow
signs). Come early to have time to pick up
handouts. Contact: Darcy Kochis, 503-208-
5589, darcy@oregon-berries.com Website:
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/NWREC/
WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY
JULY 6-9
National Onion Association Summer
Convention: Grove Hotel, 245 S. Capitol Blvd.,
Boise. Discussion topics to include updates
to food-safety guidelines for dry bulb onions,
immigration reform, USDA National Potato
and Onion Report methodology. Industry facil-
ity tours planned. Registration price to increase
after June 15. Website: https://bit.ly/3M8SgH7
JULY 15-31
California State Fair & Food Festival:
Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento,
Calif. The California State Fair is dedicated as
a place to celebrate the best the state has to
offer in agriculture, technology, and the diver-
sity of its people, traditions, and trends that
shape the Golden State’s future. Website:
https://calexpostatefair.com/
TUESDAY JULY 19
Transitioning Your Ag Business to the
Next Chapter: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. City of Vale
Library, Vale, Ore. Attorney Maria Schmid-
lkofer will present on the topics of succession
and estate planning, and how to prepare your
operation to be resilient for future generations.
She will review the steps of estate and succes-
sion planning, how to address taxes and cor-
porate farm structuring, and more. Easement
specialist Marc Hudson will answer your ques-
tions about working lands conservation ease-
ments — what they are, what they aren’t, and
how they may be helpful in executing your
agricultural business plans. These in-person
events are part of a free 6-workshop series in
Lake, Harney and Malheur counties. All are
welcome, and the events are free. RSVP for
these or any of OAT’s other events and refer
any questions about the event to diane@ore-
gonagtrust.org 503-858-2683
Intro to Good Manufacturing Practices
(online): 8 a.m.-noon. Dr. Janna Hamlett &
Catherine Cantley of TechHelp and the U of I
will help participants learn and understand the
revised current Good Manufacturing Practices
or cGMPs according to the final rule for FSMA’s
Preventive Controls for Human Food. Contact:
208-736-3610 Website: https://bit.ly/3y3SNq9
MarketPlace.capitalpress.com
facebook.com/CapitalPress
facebook.com/FarmSeller
WEDNESDAY, JULY 20
twitter.com/CapitalPress
Blueberry Field Day: 1 p.m. North Wil-
lamette Research & Extension Center, 15210
NE Miley Road, Aurora, Ore. This annual field
day will inform participants about the latest
research in blueberry propagation and breed-
ing. Contact: Amanda Davis, (971)-801-0394
or amanda.davis@oregonstate.edu Website:
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/NWREC/
youtube.com/CapitalPressvideo
Opinion ...................................................6
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
JULY 30-31
Correction policy
Great Oregon Steam-Up: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.,
Powerland Heritage Park, 3995 Brooklake
Road NE, Brooks, Ore. Enjoy a steam-pow-
ered day with train and trolley rides, a parade,
steam sawmilling, traditional tractor pull-
ing, machinery demos, threshing, flour mill-
ing, fire apparatus demos, museum tours, kids
pedal tractor pulling and a youth passport
program. Website: www.antiquepowerland.
com/steam-up Phone: 503-393-2424
Index
Accuracy is important to Capital Press
staff and to our readers.
If you see a misstatement, omission or
factual error in a headline, story or photo
caption, please call the Capital Press news
department at 503-364-4431, or send
email to newsroom@capitalpress.com.
We want to publish corrections
to set the record straight.