OUR LEGACY
A VISION OF COMMUNITY
THAT HAS REMAINED STEADFAST FOR OVER A CENTURY.
Biltmore Farms is carrying forward a legacy of stewardship and
sustainability that began more than a century ago.
hen George Vanderbilt founded Biltmore Farms in 1897, he envisioned a dynamic, forward-thinking agricultural endeavor that would nurture and support many families across the region of Western North Carolina. With his interest in agriculture, forestry and sustainability, Vanderbilt introduced and implemented the most modern farming practices available at the time. He collaborated with some of the best minds in the field to establish the Biltmore School of Forestry, the first scientific school of forestry in the United States. Some 87,000 acres of woodlands preserved through the forestry school’s efforts became the foundation of what is now Pisgah National Forest.
Vanderbilt’s prize-winning Jersey cattle were famous as producers of quality milk, and he soon realized an opportunity to offer his dairy products beyond Biltmore Estate. Biltmore Dairy Farms became one of the most successful dairy operations in the Southeast with distribution centers across the Carolinas, its signature yellow-and-black trucks were a familiar sight as they made their deliveries of milk, cream, butter and ice cream to homes across the region. In Asheville for decades, The Biltmore Dairy Bar was an iconic business, serving generations of families delicious ice-cream treats, including its famous “Winkie Bar.”
Biltmore Farms was established through a commitment to community, to principled business practices, and to an understanding of the economic impact a successful business can have on the lives of community members. This can be seen in the company’s long history of providing leadership and support for regional healthcare providers, educational institutes, economic development agencies, arts and cultural organizations and environmental stewards.
Through the establishment of the Western North Carolina Development Association, Biltmore Farms led efforts to establish the WNC Farmer’s Market, the North Carolina Arboretum, the WNC Agricultural Center and the extension of Interstate 26 into Tennessee.
Today we continue to participate in local and regional initiatives to foster the health of the region and preserve the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Biltmore Farms’ commitment to improving the quality of life in Western North Carolina spans more than a century, and we look forward to carrying this legacy forward for many more years to come.
