MONTICELLO — On April 6, 1897, Silver & Lewis Cheese Factory Company was incorporated when the Silver and Lewis families agreed on a joint business venture. 

In 1963, the dairy cooperative was formed. Later in 1966, all the farms that produced milk for the factory transitioned from milk cans to milk truck delivery. 

In present times, Silver & Lewis receives milk from 17 local dairy farms located throughout Green and Dane counties. The herd size of these farms average between 50 and 90 cows. Although the Lewis family is no longer involved in the factory, the Silvers continue to ship their milk there.

Josh and Carla Erickson have worked as the cheesemakers since 2004. Bob Gmur (1979-2004) and Dave Seeholzer (1954-1979) both gave 25 years to the cooperative as cheesemakers.

Cheese can be purchased directly at the cheese store located at W3075 County Hwy EE, Monticello. Some local Green County restaurants that include it on their menus are Sugar River Pizza, Puempels, Buggyworks, Baumgartners and Junction House. It can also be found in local grocers, cheese stores and gas stations.