[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 13069-13070]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 TRIBUTE TO THE CABOT CREAMERY COOPERATIVE ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 80TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I am pleased that this weekend I 
will be helping to celebrate the eightieth anniversary of Vermont's 
farmer owned Cabot Creamery Cooperative.
  The Cabot Creamery Cooperative was founded in 1919 by 94 farmers, who 
came together with a vision of a better way to operate a dairy. The 
original farmers each pledged $5 per cow and a cord of firewood to fire 
the boiler. The total investment was $3,700. Today, over 1,600 farm 
families from all of the New England States and upstate New York belong 
to the cooperative. The creamery and the Cabot brand name are 
internationally known, having been named ``World's Best Cheddar'' in 
1997 and ``Best Cheddar in the USA'' in 1998. Their outstanding 
products can be found in stores across the country.
  The cooperative is a shining example of farmers working together for 
a common good. Together they control their own financial destiny by 
owning a brand name, the facilities to produce a high quality product 
and a cooperative to supply the needed milk. Their way of doing 
business continues to secure a sound future for their family farms and 
the unique rural way of life of their

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communities. Just as the original 94 farmers were visionary in the 
early part of the century, 80 years later their cooperative has taken 
the leading role in working for the Northeast Dairy Compact, ensuring a 
bright future for the dairy industry in the Northeast.
  During its history, the profits, size and scope of Cabot Creamery 
Cooperative may have grown, but its small town values and sense of 
community have continued to dictate the way it does business. These 
values have kept the original purpose and intent of the cooperative 
intact over the years and have allowed it to remain a locally owned 
creamery.
  For all of these reasons, I couldn't think of a more appropriate way 
to celebrate Cabot's eightieth anniversary than through the upcoming 
``Cabot Creamery Heritage Festival,'' in conjunction with the Vermont 
Heritage Weekend. I am delighted that the Vermont Historical Society, 
along with thirty-six community historical societies, will be helping 
Cabot celebrate by showcasing Vermont's community treasures. These 
communities will provide examples of the best of Vermont's history, 
traditions and scenery, ranging from granite artisans, Morgan horses, 
agricultural exhibits, small town museums, covered bridges, and the 
beautiful Green Mountains.
  I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Cabot Creamery 
Cooperative on its eightieth anniversary and commend it for its 
positive influence on the past, present, and future of Vermont.

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