Overlooking Lake Champlain, the story of Shelburne Farms is one of New England's most fascinating. Originally 3,900 acres and the site of 30 small farms, the land was purchased in the late 19th century by Dr. William Seward Webb and his wife, Lila Vanderbilt Webb.

The Webbs made Shelburne Farms a model for the latest in agricultural techniques and technology. It has remained in the Webb family ever since. In the 1970s, Shelburne Farms became a non-profit educational facility dedicated to teaching land and water conservation, forestry, and wildlife protection. The farm receives up to 6,000 visitors per day from late May through mid-October. It is supported by annual contributions, fees and revenue generated by the Inn at Shelburne Farms, a bakery, and agricultural products including hot house tomatoes, hams and cheese.

Shelburne Farms' cheeses are Farmhouse Cheddars made entirely from the milk of their own Brown Swiss cows. Winners of an American Cheese Society award, the Cheddars are sold at the farm, by mail order and at limited local retail shops in Medium, Sharp, Extra Sharp and Smoked varieties.