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WPT spotlights longtime Darlington business
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Owner Ted Thuli talks with Around the Farm Table host Inga Witscher in May about cheesemaking equipment at Darlington Dairy Supply. The Darlington facility was featured in an episode that will air at 7:30 p.m. Thursday on Wisconsin Public Television. (Photo submitted)
DARLINGTON - Darlington Dairy Supply will be featured on "Around the Farm Table," a television show on Wisconsin Public Television, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The company, run by the Thuli family since 1958, provides equipment to cheese companies, breweries and farmers alike.

Show host Inga Witscher was impressed by the operation.

"We were drawn to the Thuli family with their multi-generation history and hands-on understanding of cheesemaking," Witscher said. "The Thulis know cheese."

According to the show's preview, in this episode Witscher tries to figure out what it takes to start her own cheesemaking business. Joel Waldinger, the show's producer, noted her experience and interest in learning more.

"Inga has been involved in making cheese since 2001, and she's known that Darlington Dairy Supply is a leader in cheese production equipment," Waldinger said. "Inga wanted to visit to learn more about the company, its history and products available for a small cheesemaker."

Farmers can also purchase milking supplies and other farm equipment, like cleaning and sanitation chemicals, from the company, which is located on Wisconsin 81 just west of Darlington.

Cheesemaking is in the blood of the Thuli family. Joseph Thuli bought the current plant in Darlington in 1958, and the business has since moved once and expanded three times. They now employ 24 people.

Torry Thuli, sales and parts representative for DDS, said all equipment is designed and built in the facility in Darlington. Two devices were patented by Joseph Thuli in the 1990s: a hanger-stirring device and a brine rack system.

"We try to help farmers and other large cheese plants and companies," Thuli said.

Joseph Thuli's parents, Arnold Sr. and Josephine, were born in Vilters, Switzerland, and came to the United States in 1925. Arnold Sr. was a cheesemaker who continued making cheese in small factories near the Wisconsin-Illinois border. Joseph was born in Hollandale in 1930 and received his cheesemaking license in Spring Green at the last cheese factory his family purchased. He died in 1995.

Darlington Dairy Supply has sold equipment all around the U.S., as well as abroad to Canada, China, South America, Mexico, Japan and Russia.

In addition to the Darlington business, "Around the Farm Table" followed the cheesemaking line to a cheese cave in Door County and a creamery in Cleveland, Wisconsin. Waldinger said production took place in late May with a crew of five shooting the video, including videographers Mike Barron and Peter Eaton, and Witscher's father Rick Witscher, a producer.

The show airs Thursdays on Wisconsin Public Television. This week is the fourth episode in the current season.