On November 10, 2022, Kristy Portillo, Ben Rupchis, and UC Davis alumna Erika McKenzie-Chapter of Pennyroyal Farm, shared the unique student learning opportunities, innovative husbandry research, and delicious cheese being made at the Goat Barn. The UC Davis Goat Teaching & Research Facility gives students hands-on experience in goat management. With the opening of the Noel-Nordfelt Goat Dairy & Creamery, they have expanded to include every facet of the goat cheese business.

Registration:

In-Person Attendance

The event will be hosted at the Sensory Theater at the Robert Mondavi Institute on the UC Davis Campus. Registration includes a welcome reception with light refreshments before the lecture begins. Limited seating; 50 seats only. $15, general admission.

Welcome reception at 5:30 pm
If you are attending in person, please join our welcome reception which will include light refreshments and feature the UC Davis Olive Center and UC Davis Honey and Pollination Center. They will offer tastings for their award-winning olive oil and single-variety honey. Products will be available for purchase and directly support the centers. Cash and check payments only.

Virtual Attendance

A live virtual broadcast will be hosted on Zoom starting at 6:30 pm. Registration is free and requires a free Zoom account.

Speakers:

Erika McKenzie-Chapter is the head cheesemaker, herd manager and herd co-owner at Pennyroyal Farm, which started cheese production in 2012 with 85 goats. Erika graduated from UC Davis and apprenticed in France before returning to Davis for her Master's Degree in Animal Biology. While at UC Davis she gained experience as a student milker, herd manager, and produced research. She worked at Redwood Hill Farm before helping to start Pennyroyal Farm. Pennyroyal Farm has won multiple Best In Show awards for its cheese, and Erika has bred National Champion and Reserve National Champion goats sired by bucks purchased from the UC Davis Goat Facility. 

Ben Rupchis is the Goat Teaching & Research Facility Manager. He has been at UC Davis for three and a half years, and before that worked in the dairy goat industry on private farms and dairies. He is a licensed judge with the American Dairy Goat Association and has traveled extensively across the United States and Mexico in a variety of roles serving the industry. Ben grew up on the east coast and earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia. 

Kristy Portillo is the facilities coordinator for Department of Animal Science.  She has been with UC Davis for 17 years. Previously, Kristy managed the Avian Science Research Facilities and has been with the Department of Animal Science for more than 15 years. Kristy received her degree from the University of California, Davis in Animal Science with a minor in Avian Sciences. She enjoys staying connected with students and colleagues who have come through the program and made outstanding careers for themselves in the many industries related to animals, agriculture and beyond.

About:

This event is part of the Forum: Talks on Food & Wine Sciences series, which presents an array of research and scientific advancements in the disciplines of wine, brewing, and food sciences to demonstrate the importance of UC Davis to the food and beverage industry.

Venue & Parking:

This event will be in-person in the Silverado Vineyards Sensory Theater at the Robert Mondavi Institute, Sensory Building. Parking is available at the Gateway Parking Structure. Parking payment is enforced on weekdays. There are three options for parking payment:

1. UC Davis uses ParkMobile – please be sure to download the app ahead of time. When you park, you will enter the Zone number (listed on the nearby sign) into the app and follow the instructions to pay for parking. This is the preferred and easiest method.

2. If you do not have a smartphone to download the app, you can also sign up for an account online and follow the steps on the website: https://parkmobile.io

3. Alternatively, there are permit machines in the Gateway Parking Structure that accept credit cards. You will need to enter your license plate number into the machine to purchase a permit. We recommend this option as a last choice. Machines are located at the corner closest to the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts.

Questions?

If you have questions about this event, please email rmievents@ucdavis.edu.