Shelburne Farms

What Shelburne Farms does

Shelburne Farms is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education organization founded in 1973 on a 1,400-acre historic working farm campus in Shelburne, Vermont, on the shores of Lake Champlain. The organization operates across three integrated pillars: (1) the Institute for Sustainable Schools, which delivers professional learning programs — including the Education for Sustainability Graduate Certificate with the University of Vermont and the Farm to School Institute — to more than 1,500 educators annually; (2) farm and food operations producing artisan cheddar cheese from a Brown Swiss herd, maple syrup, wool, eggs, and produce, distributed through an on-site Farm Store and online; and (3) hospitality services including the seasonal Shelburne Farms Inn, farm-to-table dining, day visits, tours, summer camps, and event hosting.

The underlying operations combine agricultural technology (rotational mob-grazing for sheep and cattle, cheesemaking, sugarbush management, market gardening) with building infrastructure such as a ground-source geothermal heat pump system installed as part of the Coach Barn Rehabilitation Project. The campus is a National Historic Landmark District, and the organization is pursuing net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2028. Revenue is generated through a mix of earned income (education program fees, Inn stays, Farm Store and online product sales), charitable donations and memberships, and government and trust grants (including two $500,000 Save America's Treasures grants from the National Park Service and a $50 million capital campaign with a $5 million challenge grant from the Robert W. Wilson Trust). The leadership team is led by President Alec Webb, VP Megan Camp, and Chief Advancement Officer Robin Turnau.

Name

Shelburne Farms

Legal name

Shelburne Farms

Website

https://shelburnefarms.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Shelburne Farms is a Vermont 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a 1,400-acre National Historic Landmark working farm campus combining an Institute for Sustainable Schools serving 1,500+ educators annually, an artisan cheddar and maple syrup operation, and a seasonal Inn and farm-to-table restaurant.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Education Services

NAICS

Sheep and Goat Farming (1124), Hay Farming (11194), Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating (115112), Farm Management Services (115116)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Farmstay B&Bs & Agritourism Inns (THAGAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Farm-to-Table & Agritourism Dining Experiences (Farm Visits, Harvest Meals) (THAJAGAK), Farmstay Rooms (Working Farms/Ranches) (THAMABAG), Farm Technology Enablement & Data Integration Advisory (FMIS/ERP, IoT, Decision Support) (AFACAJAG)

Keywords

• Sustainable agriculture education
• Farm-based learning
• Artisan cheese production
• Historic farm hospitality
• Conservation education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Shelburne

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Education Programs: Professional learning programs for educators including the Institute for Sustainable Schools, Education for Sustainability Certificates, Farm to School Institute, and various workshops. Serves more than 1,500 educators annually.
2. Farm Products: Sale of artisanal cheddar cheese crafted from Brown Swiss cow milk, maple syrup from sugarbush, wool products, eggs, and produce. Products sold through Farm Store and online.
3. Inn and Dining: Seasonal inn accommodations (May-October) and farm-to-table dining at the restaurant. Overnight stays, meals, and event hosting for visitors.
4. Donations and Membership: Tax-deductible contributions from individuals including annual gifts, monthly sustainer program, legacy gifts, and Steward membership program. Part of Campaign for Shelburne Farms.
5. Government Grants: Federal preservation grants including Save America's Treasures grants from the National Park Service for historic barn restoration projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Shelburne Farms is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education organization operating a 1,400-acre historic working farm in Shelburne, Vermont. It delivers professional learning programs for educators through the Institute for Sustainable Schools, family and youth programs including camps and the Children's Farmyard, on-farm hospitality at the seasonal Inn with farm-to-table dining, and artisan farm products such as cheddar cheese and maple syrup sold through the Farm Store and online.

Product overview

Shelburne Farms is a Vermont nonprofit organization operating a 1,400-acre working farm that serves as an educational campus. The organization offers a diversified portfolio of products and services organized around three pillars: (1) Farm Products including artisan cheddar cheese and maple syrup crafted on-site; (2) Hospitality Services including the Shelburne Farms Inn with farm-to-table dining, and event hosting venues; and (3) Education Programs through the Institute for Sustainable Schools, offering professional learning for educators, children's programming including summer camps and the Children's Farmyard, and community education. The Farm Store serves as the retail outlet for farm products. Revenue supports the organization's nonprofit education mission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Institute for Sustainable Schools: Established in 2021, the Institute serves as the home to professional learning for educators, offering nationally recognized programs including the Farm to School Institute and Education for Sustainability Graduate Certificate Program with UVM.

Products and services

• Shelburne Farms Inn Seasonal inn offering overnight accommodations, farm-to-table dining, and event hosting on a historic Vermont farm property, open May 8 to October 19, 2026.
• Cheddar Cheese Artisan cheddar cheese crafted on the farm from raw milk of Brown Swiss cows, recognized by Food & Wine and the American Cheese Society. Sold at the Farm Store and online.
• Maple Syrup Pure maple syrup produced from fresh sap collected from the farm's sugarbush. Sold through the Farm Store and online.
• Farm Store & Welcome Center On-site retail store selling farm products including cheddar cheese, maple syrup, wool items, prepared foods, and local goods. Functions as the campus welcome center for day visitors.
• Institute for Sustainable Schools Professional learning programs for educators including Education for Sustainability Certificate Programs, Farm to School Institute, and Northeast Farm to School Institute. Serves more than 1,500 educators annually.
• Children's Farmyard Interactive educational space where visitors of all ages learn about farm animals, farming practices, and food origins through hands-on activities. Hosts school field trips and preschool Adventures programs.
• Farm Campus Tours Guided and self-guided tours of the working farm including dairy operations, market garden, cheesemaking, woodlands, and historic buildings. Includes Sun to Cheese Tour and House & Garden Tour.
• Summer Camp Programs Overnight and day camps for children and teens featuring farm activities, environmental education, and outdoor adventures.
• Event Hosting Event venue hosting for nonprofits and partner organizations including retreats, conferences, and educational convenings at the Coach Barn and other campus facilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,500+ educators served annually through professional learning programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• GedakinacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Indigenous-led nonprofit partnership for Three Sisters Garden planting (corn, beans, squash) in Children's Farmyard. Gedakina shares seeds with other Indigenous gardens around the Northeast. Partnership reflects Traditional Ecological Knowledge and land stewardship education.
• University of Vermont (UVM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Education for Sustainability Graduate Certificate Program through UVM. Partnership enables college credit for professional learning programs at Shelburne Farms Institute for Sustainable Schools.
• SAS ArchitectscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture firm leading Coach Barn Rehabilitation Project design. Provided schematics and project management for historic barn transformation including geothermal systems, kitchen renovation, and preservation work.
• Vermont Housing and Conservation BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner for Windmill Hill protection project. Holds conservation easement on 65 acres of agricultural and forest land to ensure permanent preservation.
• Vermont Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Windmill Hill conservation ensuring permanent protection of farm and forest land through conservation easement holdings.
• National Park ServiceflagshipOthersAwarded $500,000 Save America's Treasures grant for Coach Barn rehabilitation. Administered through Historic Preservation Fund. Grant supports electrical improvements, fire safety upgrades, and systems modernization.
• Green Mountain SpinneryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProcesses wool from farm's sheep flock into yarn that is returned for sale at Farm Store and educational programming.
• Naylor and BreenminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject managers and carpentry contractors for Coach Barn Rehabilitation Project.
• Spafford and SonsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeothermal drilling contractor for Coach Barn heat pump system installation.
• Thomas MechanicalminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPlumbing and HVAC contractor for Coach Barn Rehabilitation Project.
• Omega ElectricminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerElectrical upgrades contractor for Coach Barn systems modernization.
• JL MasonryminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMasonry contractor for Coach Barn chimney reconstruction and exterior work.
• Yestermorrow Design/Build SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Collaborative Design/Build Intensive program at Shelburne Farms, a two-week residential workshop.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Billings Farm & Museum: Woodstock, VT-based nonprofit operating a historic working farm, dairy, and museum with public education programming. Highly comparable as a Vermont farm-based heritage and education destination with cheese, livestock, and visitor experiences.
• Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming: New York State nonprofit operating a working farm while running farmer training, food-systems education, and public programming. Directly comparable as a mission-driven farm-and-education nonprofit in the Northeast.
• Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture: Nonprofit farm and education center in Pocantico Hills, NY that operates diversified agriculture as a living classroom, hosts public programming, and supplies a farm-to-table restaurant. Direct mirror of Shelburne's farm + education + hospitality model.
• Intervale Center: Burlington, VT-based nonprofit operating a network of farms with farmer incubation, food-systems education, and conservation programs. Directly comparable as a Vermont farm-based education and food-systems nonprofit.
• Hawthorne Valley Farm: Biodynamic working farm in Ghent, NY operating a creamery, farm store, and K-12 Waldorf school with on-farm learning. Comparable as a diversified nonprofit farm combining livestock, dairy/cheese, retail, and education programs.
• Blue Hill at Stone Barns: Farm-to-table restaurant on the Stone Barns Center campus using on-site and regional produce, dairy, and livestock. Comparable as a high-end culinary operation anchored to a working farm with educational mission alignment.
• Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment: Maine-based nonprofit farm and education center focused on regenerative agriculture, livestock, and farmer training. Comparable operating model combining a working farm with sustainability education and on-farm visitor experiences.
• Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center: Vermont-based certified organic farm and education center with farm stand, CSA, and youth/school programming. Comparable as a Vermont nonprofit combining organic agriculture, education, and direct-to-consumer products.

Emerging players

• Edible Schoolyard Project: Alice Waters-founded nonprofit supporting garden and kitchen classrooms in schools nationally. Comparable as an education-focused food-systems nonprofit, but focused on school-based curriculum rather than operating a farm campus.

Broad incumbents

• The Trustees of Reservations: Massachusetts-based nonprofit that preserves historic farms, landscapes, and cultural sites across the state with public programming and events. Comparable at a larger scale as a heritage-land-and-farm preservation organization with education programming.

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/shelburnefarms
• Facebookfacebook.com/ShelburneFarms
• Instagraminstagram.com/shelburnefarms
• Xx.com/Shelburnefarms

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shelburne Farms