Cheese War: Conflict and Courage in Tillamook County, Oregon

In the 1960s, Tillamook County was at war with itself over the regional dairy industry. Beale Dixon, head of the County Creamery Association, offered low-interest, low-collateral loans to supermarkets that stocked CCA products, while George Milne, a respected farmer and board member of Tillamook Cheese and Dairy Association, believed it amounted to fraud and embezzlement. The Cheese War raged for a decade, dividing families and leaving some fractured today. The authors have conducted years of research to learn the real story of the human factors behind one of Oregon's most famous brands.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 30 August 2022
Publisher: Oregon State University

In the 1960s, Tillamook County found itself embroiled in a tumultuous conflict that would shape its dairy industry for years to come. As the regional dairy sector underwent a significant transformation, transitioning from small local factories to larger consolidated factories, the focus on food safety and factory conditions became paramount. Additionally, the shrinking profit margins between milk and cheese added an extra layer of complexity to the situation.

Amidst this backdrop, Tillamook farmers found themselves at a critical juncture, grappling with the question of how to navigate the changing landscape and advocate for their businesses without compromising their competitiveness. On one side of the debate stood Beale Dixon, the head of the County Creamery Association (CCA), a cooperative that represented the farmers and packaged their products for the major dairy distributors in the Willamette Valley. Dixon proposed a scheme to offer low-interest, low-collateral loans to supermarkets that stocked CCA products. He argued that this initiative would foster goodwill and ensure continued purchases in a tight market, thereby securing the farmers' livelihoods.

However, George Milne, a respected farmer and board member of Tillamook Cheese and Dairy Association (TCDA), the largest producer in the CCA, vehemently opposed Dixon's loan program. Milne believed that it amounted to fraud and embezzlement, depriving the farmers of the money they rightfully deserved. The dispute over loans soon escalated into a community-wide controversy, fueled by a complex web of family and business relationships that made conflicts of interest inevitable. Dixon, who worked for both CCA and TCDA, found himself caught in the middle, facing termination from one but not the other.

The Cheese War, as it became known, raged for over a decade, unfolding across board meetings, courtrooms, and the very fabric of Tillamook County. Co-op members exchanged recall petitions, while rival factions disseminated misleading petitions and letters, further dividing the community. While the conflict received limited attention outside of Tillamook County, its impact was profound, leaving some families fractured and divided to this day.

The Cheese War serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the challenges faced by small-scale farmers in a rapidly evolving industry. It underscores the importance of collaboration, transparency, and fair dealing in business relationships, particularly when dealing with larger corporations. It also sheds light on the complex dynamics that can arise when personal and professional interests collide, leading to conflicts that can have long-lasting consequences for communities.

In conclusion, the 1960s Cheese War in Tillamook County was a pivotal moment in the history of the dairy industry, marked by intense competition, shifting dynamics, and deep-rooted conflicts. While the conflict may have faded from public memory, its impact on the community and the farmers who were caught in the middle remains profound. As we look back at this era, it serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting and advocating for small-scale agriculture, promoting fair business practices, and fostering unity among diverse stakeholders.

Weight: 151g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780870711954