We are thrilled to announce that the 16th European Farmhouse and Artisan Cheese & Dairy Meeting will take place from October 19–21, 2026, in the beautiful Basque Country (Spain). This year’s event is hosted by the ESNEKI Dairy Centre (Leartiker) under the inspiring theme: “Basque Dairy: Tradition Inspiring Innovation”.

A Return to Tradition and Technical Excellence

The 2026 congress will maintain its cherished three-day structure, blending practical field experience with technical academic exchange. Notably, this year marks the return of the scientific poster session—a success previously seen in Switzerland—and the inclusion of hands-on practical workshops held directly at the host facilities.

Programme Overview

Monday, 19 October:

Exploration in the Field

• Attendees can choose from five distinct farm and dairy visit options, ranging from local producers like Izoria and Soloitza to the traditional Shepherd School at Gomiztegi. The day will conclude with a joint apéro and group dinner at Uxarte, a traditional Basque cider house.

Tuesday, 20 October:

Workshops and Governance

• The morning features technical workshops focusing on traditional “Mamia,” semi-hard sheep’s milk cheese, and technical tastings of products developed at Esneki. The afternoon is dedicated to FACEnetwork Working Groups and the General Assembly, followed by the vibrant European Cheese Buffet.

Wednesday, 21 October:

Technical Conference

The final day features a series of high-level lectures covering:

• The role of dairy centers in the artisanal sector.
• Modern trends in rennet and starter cultures.
• Metagenomic techniques for food safety and ripening.
• The transition toward sustainable cow’s milk production.
• The day concludes with the Scientific Poster Awards ceremony.

Registration and Information

Official details and the final programme will be published at the beginning of May. Registration will be hosted exclusively on the official FACEnetwork website.

We look forward to welcoming the European artisanal dairy community to the Basque Country for what promises to be a landmark exchange of knowledge and culture.