[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 18, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7150-S7151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING AGRI-MARK CABOT CREAMERY CO-OPERATIVE

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, this year marks the 100th anniversary of 
one of Vermont's most nationally recognized businesses, Agri-Mark Cabot 
Creamery Co-operative. Founded as a small butter plant in Cabot, VT, 
with principles of producing high-quality dairy products and supporting 
farmers and communities, Cabot has grown to be a leader in the dairy 
industry, raising the bar for excellence across the country. The 
founders of Cabot prided themselves on quality products and doing 
things the right way. Cabot began with just 94 members that 
collectively owned 800 cows. Today, Cabot has expanded to include over 
800 farm families, never losing sight of their core values of 
exceptional quality, safety, and community cooperation. These tenants 
have been upheld by their members repeatedly throughout the last 
century.
  The farm families of Cabot Creamery Co-operative continue to be 
innovators, pioneers of sustainability, and dedicated stewards to their 
land and animals. Their products consistently prove to be the cream of 
the crop, winning many awards, and rightfully earning the title of 
``World's Best Cheddar.'' For decades, they have been earning top marks 
around the country and world, from respected competitions like the U.S. 
Championship Cheese Contest, the American Cheese Society, and even the 
World Championship Cheese Contest. The recognition is well deserved 
after a century of hard work, dedication, and commitment shown by 
generations of farmers across New England and New York.

[[Page S7151]]

  Not only do they produce excellent products, Cabot's farm families 
are leaders of sustainability. They have worked to strengthen green 
farming practices, some of which provide Vermont families with 
electricity, and even their own electricity processing plant. They have 
made continuous efforts to create more sustainable practices, from 
conserving water to installing solar panels. Cabot and their members 
have been awarded prestigious honors, such as U.S. Dairy Sustainability 
Awards and New England Green Pastures Award for Outstanding Dairy Farm 
of the Year. Cabot has recently been classified as a B Corporation, the 
first dairy cooperative to achieve that certification, which shows the 
strong commitment they have to being a socially and environmentally 
responsible business.
  I have had the pleasure to work with Cabot, creating lasting memories 
and an incredible working relationship that has supported the dairy 
industry in Vermont and the entire country. I am privileged to host 
Cabot at my annual Taste of Vermont event, and guests of the reception 
are often greeted by the distinct Cabot plaid upon entering the Kennedy 
Caucus Room on Capitol Hill.
  As a Vermonter, I am proud of the incredible service Cabot, its 
leaders, and their farmers provide for our State, our economy, and the 
larger dairy industry. Cabot truly represents the essence, values, and 
traditions of what makes Vermont special. I congratulate Cabot and 
their dairy farmers on 100 years of hard work and success.

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