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2012 IYC: Cabot Creamery

Dairy cooperatives in the United States peaked in the 1940’s with nearly 2,300 in 42 states.  Because dairy farms were relatively small and remotely located, cooperatives – formed by groups of farmers seeking solutions to common problems – began to emerge.  In 1919 a group Vermont farmers came together to figure out what to do with their excess milk.  Roberta MacDonald, Senior Vice-President of Cabot Creamery says their co-operative has come a long way since its formation over 90 years ago.  Having merged with several cooperatives, MacDonald says they are the largest cooperative in the Northeast.  She says they represent over 1,200 farm families throughout that region.

MacDonald says the core of their business is to keep farmers farming and help sustain their future.  “I know for a fact we would not have half of the farmers we do farming,” she says, “especially in the more urban states without the cooperative business structure.” 

She tells Brownfield Cabot was born out of necessity in 1919 and the cooperative business model has helped them continue today.  She says the business model continues to be solid and says “people are embracing the cooperative model and the cooperative principles even if they don’t understand what it means.”  MacDonald says people, however, do understand it means 100 percent of the profit is returned to the members.

AUDIO: Roberta MacDonald, Cabot Creamery (9:15mp3)

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