Goot Essa

06/02/2026

Classic flavors, paired beautifully. Young, silky smooth, and incredibly approachable,
Mountain Meadow Mild Cheddar with our Sweet & Spicy Dipping Mustard brings together creamy cheddar flavor with a lightly sweet finish and a touch of horseradish bite.

05/30/2026

Just another reason life on the farm never stops amazing us.

05/29/2026

We loved welcoming members of Salt Fork FFA to Goot Essa cheese shop!
From sampling cave-aged cheeses to touring our cheese cave and cheese-making room, it was a joy to share a little behind-the-scenes look at what we do each day. We always enjoy connecting with the next generation of agricultural leaders and are thankful they spent part of their trip with us.
Safe travels back to Illinois, and thanks again for visiting!

05/25/2026

05/21/2026

A simple pairing that feels just right for the season. Der Mutterschaf is our sheep milk tomme with a buttery, earthy depth and a subtle citrus finish. Paired with Aunt Ruth’s Strawberry Rhubarb Conserve, the bright sweetness highlights the richness of the cheese while adding the perfect fresh contrast. This is a pairing worth slowing down for. 🧀🍓

05/20/2026

05/19/2026

May’s featured cheese at Goot Essa is Der Smoked Alpen—an 18-month aged cow’s milk cheese, smoked Alpine-style and old-world crafted.
Firm and smooth with a delicate salty crunch, it softens as it melts—offering gentle smoke, sweet cream, and caramel notes with a refined, savory finish.
Alpine. Warm. Bold with balance.

05/14/2026

Introducing our featured cheese for May — Smoked Der Alpen. Rich Alpine flavor with a smooth touch of smoke.

05/07/2026

After a few days of steady rain and gray skies, the farm is showing off.
Central PA is turning a deep spring green—pastures thickening, mountains coming alive, and horses settling into the season right alongside it.
And it’s a good life to be part of.

05/07/2026

What an incredible honor for John, the Esh family, and the entire Goot Essa team.
From generations of dairy farming to crafting cheese right here on the farm, this recognition reflects the hard work, care, and dedication of so many people behind the scenes every single day. We’re deeply grateful for our team, our community, and everyone who continues to support small farms and rural businesses. Thank you for being part of our story. ❤️

Congratulations to John Esh, owner of Goot Essa, on being named the SBA’s Western Pennsylvania District Rural Small Business Person of the Year. Located in Howard, PA, Goot Essa has grown from a family dairy farm into a successful vertically integrated business producing gourmet, farmstead cheeses using fresh milk from the family’s herd and neighboring farms. A lifelong farmer, John combined generations of agricultural tradition with innovation and value-added production to create a sustainable business that supports both his family farm and the surrounding rural economy.

Through Goot Essa, John oversees every stage of production, from raising and milking cows to processing, packaging, and selling a wide variety of specialty cheeses and gift products. The business serves customers through its on-farm retail store and growing online sales, earning a loyal customer base across the region and beyond. A client of the Penn State Small Business Development Center for more than 24 years, Goot Essa has received support in areas including marketing, employee training, technical operations, and e-commerce strategy. John was nominated for this honor by Martin Brill, Coordinator of the PASBDC Agriculture Center of Excellence at the Penn State SBDC, and recognized for his dedication to craftsmanship, agriculture, and rural entrepreneurship during National Small Business Week.