Agri-Mark / Cabot Cooperative Membership

Quick Snapshot

Agri-Mark is a dairy cooperative owned by farm families throughout New England and New York, known for its award-winning Cabot Creamery cheese and butter products.

Who It's For: Northeast dairy farmers seeking cooperative membership with premium brand positioning and strong regional identity.

What It Does Best: Produces award-winning cheddar cheese and butter under the Cabot brand, creating premium value for member farm milk.

Why It Matters: Cabot's reputation as 'The World's Best Cheddar' commands premium pricing that flows back to farmer-owners.

Overview

Agri-Mark is a dairy cooperative owned by farm families throughout New England and New York. The cooperative is best known for its Cabot Creamery brand, which has won hundreds of awards for its cheddar cheese and butter.

Cabot's legacy dates back to 1919 when farmers in Cabot, Vermont founded a cooperative creamery. Today, Cabot products are recognized nationally for quality, with the brand earning the title of "World's Best Cheddar" at international competitions.

The cooperative's focus on quality and craftsmanship differentiates Cabot in the marketplace, allowing farmer-owners to capture premium value for their milk. Agri-Mark's processing facilities in Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts produce a range of cheese, butter, and cultured products.

For Northeast dairy farmers, Agri-Mark membership offers the opportunity to be part of an award-winning brand with deep regional roots and strong consumer loyalty.

Ideal Users

Farm Types: Northeast family dairy, Grazing operations, Small to medium farms

Herd Size: All sizes, with strong tradition among smaller family farms

Key Roles: Dairy farm families, Multi-generation farms, New England dairy producers

Geographic Focus: Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York

Key Features

Award-Winning Brands

Cabot cheese has won 'World's Best Cheddar' and hundreds of other awards

Premium Positioning

Quality reputation supports premium pricing and member returns

Regional Identity

Strong New England heritage resonates with consumers

Cooperative Ownership

100% farmer-owned since 1919

Quality Standards

Rigorous quality programs ensure consistent excellence

Advanced Capabilities

Direct-to-Consumer

Cabot sells products directly to consumers through cabotcreamery.com

Farm Visitor Programs

Cabot farms participate in agritourism and consumer engagement

Sustainability Focus

Commitment to sustainable farming and environmental stewardship

B-Corp Certification

Cabot is a certified B Corporation, meeting high social and environmental standards

Integrations & Partnerships

Works With: Quality testing labs, Milk hauling logistics, Farm management systems

Data Flow: Quality and component data supports premiums; market and cooperative information shared with members

Industry Standards: FDA Grade A, PMO, FARM Program, B-Corp standards

Competitive Advantages

Award-winning brand with premium market positioning

Over 100 years of cooperative heritage

Strong New England regional identity

B-Corp certification demonstrates values commitment

Consumer loyalty to Cabot brand

Getting Started

Timeline: Membership application through Agri-Mark; acceptance based on geographic fit and milk supply needs

Infrastructure: Grade A dairy facilities in the Northeast region

Migration: Coordination with Agri-Mark field representatives

Tips for Success:

Understand Cabot's quality standards and how to maximize premiums

Engage with the cooperative's community and consumer events

Tell your farm's story as part of the Cabot family

Participate in member governance and meetings

Training & Support

Training: Member education, quality workshops

Support Channels: Field representatives, member services

Community: Northeast dairy community, Cabot farm family network

Pricing

Model: Premium Component Pricing with Award-Winning Brand Benefits

Agri-Mark/Cabot Pricing Advantage

As owners of Cabot Creamery, Agri-Mark members benefit from premium brand positioning that commands higher prices in the marketplace.

Component Pricing

| Component | Pricing Basis |

|-----------|---------------|

| Butterfat | Northeast Federal Order $/lb pricing |

| Protein | Northeast Federal Order $/lb pricing |

| Other Solids | Northeast Federal Order $/lb pricing |

Quality Requirements & Premiums

| Factor | Impact |

|--------|--------|

| SCC Standards | Rigorous quality for award-winning cheese |

| Bacteria Count | Premium quality requirements |

| Component Content | Higher butterfat/protein = higher value |

Standard Deductions

| Deduction | Description |

|-----------|-------------|

| Hauling | New England region milk transportation |

| Checkoff Assessment | $0.15/cwt for national dairy promotion |

| Equity Retention | Builds member ownership in cooperative |

Cooperative Benefits

| Benefit | Description |

|---------|-------------|

| Premium Brand Ownership | 100% farmer-owned since 1919 |

| Award-Winning Products | "World's Best Cheddar" recognition |

| B-Corp Certification | Verified social and environmental responsibility |

| Regional Identity | Strong New England heritage and consumer loyalty |

| Patronage Dividends | Share in cooperative profitability |

Value Proposition

Cabot's premium brand positioning allows the cooperative to command higher prices in the marketplace, which flows back to farmer-owners. The "World's Best Cheddar" reputation translates to competitive member pricing.

Contact: agrimark.net | cabotcheese.coop

Evaluation Questions

Is my farm in Agri-Mark's membership region?

What quality standards must I meet?

How does the cooperative equity program work?

What opportunities exist for consumer engagement?

How can I share my farm's story through Cabot?

Recommended Reading

[Cabot Creamery](https://www.cabotcreamery.com/) (Cabot): Cabot's consumer website and products

[Our Farmers](https://www.cabotcreamery.com/pages/farmers) (Cabot): Meet Cabot farm families