Sue Conley and Peggy Smith started their company, Cowgirl Creamery and Tomales Bay Foods in 1997 with the goal of providing an important link between Marin County dairies, cheesemakers and urban consumers. Considered pioneers in the American artisan cheese movement, their certified organic cheeses have won numerous accolades. Sue and Peggy were among the first American cheesemakers to be inducted into France’s esteemed Guilde des Fromagers. They were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Awards from the American Cheese Society and also from The James Beard Foundation. Their book about their cheese journey, Cowgirl Creamery Cooks, was published by Chronicle Books in 2013.

Sue’s background is also in restaurants. She was co-founder of Bette’s Oceanview Diner in Berkeley. Sue has dedicated her career to not only producing award-winning cheeses but also promoting agricultural stewardship as evident in her 18 years as a board member for the Marin Agricultural Land Trust.

Parking Information: Parking is available Flower Street between 5th and 6th Streets, on the left side, under the library’s garden. Take the elevator to the plaza level and walk inside the library. Get your parking stub validated at the information desk with your library card. Proceed to the Taper Auditorium. After, go to parking level 1 and pay $1 before going to car.