Cheese curds are squeaky-fresh, delectable cheddar in its natural, random shape and form before being processed into blocks of cheddar. Cheese makers used to take handfuls of these morsels home. The cooperative is owned by the farm families who produce the milk. Ellsworth was proclaimed the cheese curd capitol of Wisconsin by the governor of Wisconsin. Unlike other cheese curds, Ellsworth's cheese curds are packaged loose and not in one big lump.