Sweet Land Farm

Emma Bello and Penny take a moment to meet eye to eye. Penny, Emma’s first milker, was 8-months old when she was flown from California to Waialua. She is now 9-years old and just a week ago gave birth to Sweet Land Farm’s 1000th kid.

Sweet Land Farm is an eight-year-old, family-run farm located in Waialua on the North Shore of O‘ahu headed by farmer and cheesemaker, Emma Bello. The farm sits on 86 acres of what was pineapple land years ago. Twenty acres of the land is used to grow alfalfa which feeds the farm’s 400 goats at night or on rainy days when they are kept indoors. Most days, the goats roam the pasture and eat Guinea grass (the bane of most farmers like myself) and other weeds. 

While in culinary school in college, Emma also worked on dairy farms in Maui and in California where she milked the experiences and knowledge that she would someday use on her own farm.  Despite these valuable lessons, Emma said that nothing really prepares one for the ever-changing challenges of goat farming. 

“Every day is so different, ” she said.  “Problems come up and it’s fulfilling when those problems become not-problems anymore at the end of the day. Every day is a challenge, especially with animals. They’re depending on you to survive. You’re constantly watching them and taking care of their wellbeing.”

Emma has a loving relationship, founded on mutual respect, with her goats. Between this partnership and the level of integrity and craftsmanship Emma and her family uphold, it’s no mystery Sweet Land Farm produces the best cheeses on the island.

Cheese wheels keep on turnin’ at Sweet Land Farm
Twenty acres of alfalfa help feed the 400 goats that often roam the pastures of Sweet Land Farm eating Guinea grass and weeds.
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