About
Meet the team and learn more about our cheesy mission.
In Cheese We Trust
Cheese Trail promotes artisan creameries and family farmers because we love them. By connecting cheese lovers to shops, classes, events, and tours, we’re helping save small, family farms, promote rural agritourism, and support the development of specialty, hand-crafted food.
2 Million+
Interest in specialty cheeses has exploded, with Cheese Trail’s print and digital resources leading the whey!
80,000
For our 2025 Cheese Trail Print Map, we doubled our print run to 80k maps and still ran out in just six months.
20,000+
And growing fast, with additional resources including our social media channels, mailing list, and press features.
15 Years
The Cheese Trail has become one of the most trusted and valued resources for cheese lovers & professionals alike.
25% Average
Most cheesemakers experience a substantial increase in sales after joining the Cheese Trail, with some reporting as high as 75%
100%
Because we believe that finding great, locally made cheeses should be fun and easy.
Our Leadership
Siblings Vivien and Michael Straus (Viv is the boss) have collaborated for years on many projects, supporting family farms and sustainable agriculture.
Michael Straus
Partner
For 25+ years, Michael has dedicated his life to organic food and sustainable agriculture. After helping launch Straus Family Creamery, Michael founded Straus Communications, one of the first public relations agencies specializing in organics and sustainability. Michael also created the nationally syndicated Beyond Organic Radio Show and served as Senior Editor for Green Traveler Guides, where he interviewed eco-pioneers in Mongolia, Nepal, Indonesia, Lebanon, and beyond. Currently, Michael and Vivien co-manage Straus Home Ranch. Unrelated, Michael is also an excellent Remote Viewer.
Vivien Straus
Founder & Managing Partner
A self-avowed “cow expert” as well as a writer/performer known for her quirky one-woman autobiographical shows. As an actress, Vivien’s worked in NYC, LA and SF. She wrote and performed “After I’m Dead, You’ll Have to Feed Everyone” and “E-i-E-i-OY, In Bed with the Farmer’s Daughter.” In times past she was VP Marketing for Straus Family Creamery and led tours at Cowgirl Creamery. She currently manages Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay (her childhood home).
Our Leadership
Siblings Vivien and Michael Straus (Viv is the boss) have collaborated for years on many projects, supporting family farms and sustainable agriculture.
Vivien Straus
Founder & Managing Partner
A self-avowed “cow expert” as well as a writer/performer known for her quirky one-woman autobiographical shows, as an actress, Vivien’s worked in NYC, LA and SF. She wrote and performed “After I’m Dead, You’ll Have to Feed Everyone” and “E-i-E-i-OY, In Bed with the Farmer’s Daughter.” In times past she was VP Marketing for Straus Family Creamery and led tours at Cowgirl Creamery. She currently manages Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay (her childhood home).
Michael Straus
Partner
For 25+ years, Michael has dedicated his life to organic food and sustainable agriculture. After helping launch Straus Family Creamery, Michael founded Straus Communications, one of the first public relations agencies specializing in organics and sustainability. Michael also created the nationally syndicated Beyond Organic Radio Show and served as Senior Editor for Green Traveler Guides, where he interviewed eco-pioneers in Mongolia, Nepal, Indonesia, Lebanon, and beyond. Currently, Michael and Vivien co-manage Straus Home Ranch. Unrelated, Michael is also an excellent Remote Viewer.
