108289 AgriMark NL SC · 2017. 1. 27. · extra sharp cheddar cheese made by Foremost Farms USA at the 2011 NMPF cheese competition. The Foremost Farms Cheddar was selected from among

Two Agri-Mark mem-bers from Vermont wereelected to the Agri-MarkBoard of Directors at thisyear’s round of regionalmeetings that ended onDecember 14, 2011.

Rob Wheeler ofWilmington, Vt. waselected as director ofRegion 3, a position pre-viously held by RichardWoodger, who has been adirector since 1992.

In Region 12, the newdirector is Mark Rodgersof Glover, Vt., who replaces Paul Percy, a

long-time director andExecutive Committeemember since 1978,when the co-op wascalled Yankee Milk, Inc.

“We’ve lost two expe-rienced directors whohave contributed greatlyto our success over theyears,” says Neal Rea,Agri-Mark’s Chairman ofthe Board. “We willmiss both of them great-ly, but we look forwardto working with our twonew directors to bring

Monthly Use of Milk by Class

in Federal Order No. 1

December 2011*

New Chateaugay plantmanager...page 2

Board Report...page 3

Spotlight on the Elwellfamily of Maine...page 4

Former Senior V.P.Richard Langworthyenjoys his retirement...page 6

Townley new ChiefFinancial Officer...page 7

Winter2012

*Source: USDA, NortheastMarketing Area December 2011Market Administrator’s Bulletin.

Inside...

iewpointNews for Agri-Mark’s dairy farmer members

See page 10

Top Quality Award Winners

for 2011

arm in h their opped

New CEO Stammer optimistic about futureSays that ways to support the growth of brands will always be an issue, but a good one

Have there been any surprisesso far, anything unexpected

that you have found as the new CEO? It

Two new Vermont members elected tothe Board at the regional meetings

Agri-Mark’s regional membership meet-ings started in late November andended in mid-December. Shown aboveare new Directors Rob Wheeler, left,and Mark Rodgers.

(continued on page 9)

Richard Stammer,Agri-Mark’s new CEO.


108289_AgriMark NL_Viewpoint 2/10/2012 12:53 PM Page 1

Agri-Mark, Inc.100 Milk StreetMethuen, MA 01844(978) 689-4442(800) 225-0532(800) 423-4005 - Inside MAVisit us at:www.agrimark.net

OfficersChairman, Neal Rea

Vice Chairman, Michael Barnes

Secretary, Paul Dolton

Treasurer, Walter Fletcher

Board of DirectorsJames Jacquier, Canaan, CT

Mark Duffy, Carlisle, MA

Rob Wheeler, Wilmington, VT

William Banker, Morrisville, NY

Neal Rea, Cambridge, NY

Paul Doton, Woodstock, VT

Robert Foster, Middlebury, VT

Mark Rodgers, Glover, VT

Debbie Erb, Landaff, NH

Walter Fletcher III, Burnham, ME

William Harrigan, Chateaugay, NY

Michael Barnes, Mt. Upton, NY

Al Desormeaux, Gouverneur, NY.

Merrill Reynolds, Bangor, NY

StaffPresident & Chief Executive Officer,

Dr. Richard Stammer

Membership Services: Quality,

Field Service, Transportation,

Robert Stoddart

Economics, Communications

& Legislative Affairs,

Robert Wellington

Finance and Administration,

Ed Townley

Editor, Douglas J. DiMento

Our Mission Statement

2

Agri-Mark News

The purpose of the Viewpoint is torecognize members for noteworthyaccomplishments and to provide

them with useful news and information about Agri-Mark andthe national and regional dairy

industries.

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Cabot wins four golds in NMPF competitionWisconsin extra sharp wins Chairman’s Trophy, but Cabot has solid showing

Tom Herbick has joinedAgri-Mark as plant manager ofthe Chateaugay facility. Hereplaces Ron Davis, the previousplant manager, who will retirelater this year. Tom comes toAgri-Mark with extensive experi-ence in the dairy industry, mostrecently serving as plant manag-er of the Saputo Cheese plant inGreen Bay, Wisc. It was at StellaCheese in Ogdensburg, N.Y., thatTom got his start in the cheesebusiness, before moving toSaputo Cheese where he servedas plant manager at a number oftheir plant locations, including Denmark and BlackCreek, Wisc., as well as Hinesburg, Vt.

During his tenure with Saputo, Tom receivedtheir "Manager of the Year" award on four occa-sions, including as recently as 2011. As a native ofUpstate New York, Tom is returning to familiar ter-ritory as he assumes the leadership of theChateaugay plant.

In preparation for his impending retirement,

Ron Davis will move into the posi-tion of Senior Dairy Technologistwhere he will focus on trainingplant personnel in cheese produc-tion while passing on his wealth ofknowledge in support of a man-agement transition within theChateaugay plant.

Ron has enjoyed a successfulcareer, possessing both expertisein cheese making and a vastknowledge of the dairy industry.Beginning his career at theMcCadam plant working for hisfather, Ron honed his manage-ment skills working at the

Dairylea Adams plant, the Kraft Pollio Campbellplant, and with his own business - PlumbrookAmish Farms, before returning to McCadamCheese.

Under Ron's leadership, McCadam Cheesewon the coveted title of the "United StatesChampion" and was voted "America's BestCheese." We wish both Tom and Ron well in theirnew positions.

New plant manager hired at Chateaugay

This year the Chairman’s Trophy at theannual meeting of the National Milk ProducersFederation (NMPF) in November went to anextra sharp cheddar cheese made by ForemostFarms USA at the 2011 NMPFcheese competition. TheForemost Farms Cheddar wasselected from among 149 entriesto this year’s cheese contest.

Cabot won four golds withfirst place showing in the MildCheddar, Medium Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar-shown right, and Unique or Flavored (Tuscancheddar) categories.

Cabot also won a second place in theNatural Cheddar category with its MontereyJack and a third place for its Horseradish

Cheddar in the Processed American Flavoredcategory.

In another contest, judging for the 2011World Cheese Awards was held in late

November in England. CabotClothbound Cheddar tookhome a bronze medal, theonly medal in its class for anentry outside the British Isles.

Again this year, the U.S.cheddar entries generally

struggled to break past entries from mostlyEngland and Ireland.

New Chateaugay plant manag-er Tom Herbick.


In addition to the normal monthly reportsby Agri-Mark CEO Richard Stammer and hisstaff to the Agri-Mark Board of Directors, otherissues were discussed at the December 2011meeting of the Board, including the followingitems that have been taken from the minutesof that meeting:q Chairman Neal Rea presented his

report. He focused his comments on theregional meetings which he hadattended. Rea reviewed ques-tions that had arisen at meet-ings and the farmers’ interestin what was happening inWashington D.C. Rea reviewedthe NMPF Annual Meeting andthe discussions that had takenplace.q Each director that had

already had their regionalmeeting reported on their indi-vidual meeting.q Stammer presented the management

report. Stammer reviewed regional meetingsand the NMPF Annual Meeting. He reportedthat he and Ed Townley had met with CoBankand the meeting was very positive. Stammerreviewed the lawsuit that is taking placeagainst CWT, which includes Agri-Mark. Hereported that CWT will be collecting money in2012 and 2013 as it has now received enoughapproval from member co-op boards. q Stammer discussed the vision and

direction which drives the budget. His goal isto make as much as we can, given our assetsand resources, but that our co-op mission dri-ves our business. He views the budget as a tac-tical implementation of our current strategicgoals. He reviewed his plan to develop thestrategic goals and discussed the fact that he iscurrently working with the Board to lay theground work for future strategic goals. q Membership Manager Robert Stoddart

reviewed the plans to lower the somatic cell

count standard to 400,000 per ml. based onour need to sell dairy products outside the U.S. Following discussion, the Board voted to lowerthe co-op’s somatic cell count standards to thenew FDA limit of 400,000 when it officiallygoes into effect. This was reported on in depthin member check letters.q Rich Johnson, Sr. V.P. Sales, a 19 year

employee, presented a detailed analysis of howhis department functions. Hereviewed the many long-termemployees that contribute to thesuccess of our sales team. He dis-cussed his goals and how he triesto place people in the rightplaces. Johnson reviewed howthe sales department communi-cates and how he works withother departments to improveperformance of the cooperative. q Ed Pcolar, V.P. of

Operations, reviewed the success of the newcultured HTST and the improvements in theproducts which are produced from it. Hereported that Cabot is exiting the single serveyogurt business to focus on Greek yogurt. q Director Bill Banker of New York dis-

cussed the plans for the Northeast CooperativeCouncil and CoBank Annual Meeting. q Director Paul Doton of Vermont dis-

cussed Dairy Management Inc. milk promotionissues.q Director Walter Fletcher of Maine dis-

cussed the fact that increasing numbers ofAmish were planning on moving into NorthernMaine.q Director Jim Jacquier of Connecticut

reported on the Big E banquet where over 700Future Farmers of America (FFA) studentswere present.

3

Board Report

The Board discusses the Agri-Mark regionalmeetings and 2012 operating budgetBoard also takes action to lower the co-op’s somatic cell count standards

“Rea reviewed questions that hadarisen at meetingsand the farmers’

interest in what washappening in

Washington DC.”

The membercheese salewas anotherbig hit

The Agri-Markmember cheese salecontinues to be popu-lar. This past fall,members, employees,eligible former mem-bers and milk haulerspurchased more than$496,225 worth ofselect Cabot andMcCadam products atdiscounted prices.

Almost 105,000pounds - more than 52tons - of cheese wasordered. That was11,282 cases! In addi-tion, more than73,500 pounds of but-ter was ordered aswell- more than 36tons and more than2,000 cases.

The mailing forthe next cheese salewill take place inMarch of 2012. Thespring sale is restrict-ed to members andeligible former mem-bers only. Watch yourmail!

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Bob and ErmaElwell of Unity, Maine,retired in the spring of2011 following 74 yearsin the dairy business --every one of them as acooperative member ofAgri-Mark and its prede-cessor cooperatives!

Bob and Erma werecooperative memberssince 1937! Bob startedshipping milk in cans ona farm he ran with hisfather, but was thenasked to ship milkdirectly, rather thancomingle the milk.

Bob and Erma were married in 1943 --that’s 69 years together -- and they both haveworked together on the farm ever since. Theyhave two daughters who live away from thefarm.

A late fall visit with Bob and Erma foundthem in their kitchen rocking chairs, keepingwarm by the woodstove, occasionally lookingout the back window to the pasture where thecows were feeding.

As we talked, I noticed that Erma rocks alittle faster than Bob, and its easy to see thatshe is still a bit of a spitfire. Bob, who turned 90last October, still wears his green work clothesthat he wore every day when he was working.Old habits are hard to break. He smiles andshakes his head at Erma’s spirited comments,throwing in a name or two during the conversa-tion of former area farmers or hired men whichhave now been gone for 50 years or more. Theirminds are still sharp, and we talked at lengthabout former dairy cooperatives in the area andthe farmers who organized them.

The Elwells retired inthe spring of 2011, andleased their farm andJersey herd to one ofhis former employees.He hopes the new mancan make a go of it.Bob’s father alwaysmilked Jerseys, and sodid Bob. He was bornand brought up withJerseys, he says, andlikes the fact that hisherd is in good hands.

“They don’t hurt asmuch when they stepon your toe,” says Bob,smiling, trying to

explain his fondness for the breed.I found out that Bob had been a co-op man

from the very beginning and never wavered. Hewas a member of the Maine Dairyman’sAssociation, which later merged into the NewEngland Milk Producers Association, whichbecame Yankee Milk and then Agri-Mark. Bobhas stuck with the co-op through every merger,every up and down year and says he has noregrets at all. Bob says he simply liked the ideaof working together with other farmers for a bet-ter price and better markets.

“A lot of milk dealers were failing at thetime and farmers were losing money,” Bobexplains, ”So a guaranteed price and marketwere real big back then. Still is.”

Erma sees it from a different perspective. “Once he sets his mind to something it

doesn’t ever change,” says Erma, “He’s strong-headed, and that’s how he was about dairy co-ops. He always had to go to a meeting, or seesomeone. We travelled all over the countryside

Agri-Mark News

4

MEMBER FARM SPOTLIGHT

Bob and Erma Elwell Elwell Farm Unity, Maine

Agri-Mark signed70 new members in2011, including thefollowing 48 thatwere accepted at theMay throughDecember meetingsof the Agri-MarkBoard of Directors.

Ernest & Amy BeyerLowville, N.Y.

James BlodgettBrookfield, Vt.

Ted P. FinnertyGouverneur, N.Y.

Mose D. & AnnaSwartzentruberHeuvelton, N.Y.

Baker Farm LLCSwansea, Mass.

Wallace A. FishLeeds, Maine

Josh & TomTrombleyChateaugay, N.Y.

Robert F. Abbott IIIEagle Bridge, N.Y.

ConceptGenetics/WilliamHanfield, Jr.Wells River, Vt.

Penny Hargett &Jessie WinslowGansevoort, N.Y.

Welcome New Members!

Bob Elwell, left, was recognized by ChairmanNeal Rea at the Region 14 regional meeting lastfall for being an active and loyal member.

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Agri-Mark News

Hill View FarmRichard A. GilmoreAltona, N.Y.

Allen & Mabel SensenigNorth Bangor, N.Y.

Cartwright K.StelmashuckParish, N.Y.

Mahlon & Katie E.SwartzentruberGouverneur, N.Y.

Robert & Diane AndrewsGouverneur, N.Y.

Brian W. GuilmainFort Plain, N.Y.

Elam L. HershbergerPulaski, N.Y.

Paul LisaiWest Glover, Vt.

Reuben &Annette MartinDickinson Ctr., N.Y.

Gregory &Ryan MeeksEvans Mills, N.Y.

Melrose Farms LLCPeter GibsonWaterford, N.Y.

Amos A. MillerPulaski, N.Y.

(

Welcome New Members!(from previous page)

E been taina willin need


on co-op work.”Bob says that the co-op

meetings were the best way tofind out what was going on inthe marketplace and what theco-op was doing about it.

“He liked to stay on top ofthings, and the co-op meet-ings were the best way to dothat,” chips in Erma.“Everybody had a chance totalk business and then visit alittle. Those were good days.”

Bob remembers the daysof shipping milk in cans to theformer H.P. Hood plant inUnity, and still rememberswhen the farm got its firstbulk tank in 1955 or 1956. Heremembers how his local milkhauler, retired Vern Bagley,used to pick up milk in cansin the back of a pickup beforeswitching to the tankertrucks.

When Bob became a co-op member in 1937, dueswere 2.5 cents per hundred-weight and the co-op offered aguaranteed price and marketsecurity. He remembers thathis milk price the year hemarried Erma, in 1943, was$3.40 per hundredweight. Abrand new John Deere tractorhe bought in 1941 was $955.He bought another one sixyears later for $1,294.

“Even though the milkprice was a lot lower, wealways seemed to have a littlesomething left over,” saysBob. “It might have beensmall, but we had somethingto live on. Now every day is abattle to make sure you are

not losing money, nevermindmake any.”

Bob says that the co-ophas always treated him wellover the years, but farmersmust remain active in thebusiness to get anything outof it.

Bob always practicedwhat he preached, oftenattending Agri-Mark’s annualspring meeting whether hewas an elected official or not,wanting to keep informed. Hemilked 175 cows at one point,and getting away from thefarm was not always easy.

He is appreciative of themany local farmers he trav-elled with over the decades,from Phil Andrews, to RichardVarnum, to Harold and JoyceLarrabee and Walter andEdna Fletcher, and manymore.

“It’s always good to know

what is really going on first-hand,” says Bob. “I’m notgoing to miss the car rides,”he admits. “But I’m going tomiss the meetings.”

Bob and Erma mademany friends at these meet-ings over the years andrecount trips to New York andnorthern Vermont to visitother co-op members. Herecalls running out of gas on avery rural country road andwas helped by a co-op field-man from another state hehad never met who would nottake any money in return.

“Being part of the co-opwas like having an extendedfamily wherever you went,”says Erma. “Everybodyhelped everybody else thebest they could.”

Now, Bob says he wouldadvise all young farmers tobelong to Agri-Mark. The co-op has generated steady year-end profits in recent years,and the branded businessesare growing. Bob acknowl-edges that he has used the co-op’s Equity Plan as his retire-ment plan and is pleased theway it worked out.

“It’s important for theyoung farmers to get involvedand work together and growthe co-op, just like a lot of ustried to do when we wereyoung,” says Bob. “Theywon’t regret it.”

Thank you to Bob andErma for being such loyal,long time members and bestwishes for many more yearsahead together!

Bob Elwell relaxing at hishome in Unity, Maine. Besidesbeing a long-time co-op mem-ber, Bob is one of the chartermembers of the Maine FarmBureau, along with memberAlbert Bradford of Turner. Hiswife Erma preferred not to bein the photo.

Elwells have been co-op members since 1937...(continued from previous page)


6

Agri-Mark News

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R i c h a r dLangworthy, Agri-Mark’s Senior V.P. ofM a n u f a c t u r i n gOperations, retiredJuly of 2011 followinga 30 year career withthe cooperative. Hebegan working for theco-op in 1977, whenAgri-Mark was thencalled Yankee Milk.

“Dick was the firstmanagement person Ihired after I becameGeneral Manager,”recounts PaulJohnston, Agri-Mark’sformer CEO. “It was adecision I never regret-ted.”

Dick has spent vir-tually his whole life in the Northeast dairyindustry. He grew up on his family’s farm inWestern New York, attendedCornell as an undergraduateand received his Masters inEconomics from the Universityof Connecticut. He worked for afew years in New York City inthe Federal Milk MarketAdministrator’s office, and thenlanded at the cooperative.

Dick was hired by YankeeMilk as an Economist and wasresponsible for economic fore-casting, government relations, co-op communi-cations and the Young Cooperator program. Inthe early 1980s he assumed responsibility asSenior V.P. of Marketing and CommercialOperations. One of his first major projects wasthe significant expansion and renovation of ourWest Springfield butter/powder/condensingplant.

For a short period of time in the late 1980s

and early 1990s, Dickworked as a SeniorVice President at theH.P Hood Companyand returned to Agri-Mark in 1995. Agri-Mark had just mergedwith Cabot a few yearsearlier, and hereturned as Senior V.P.of ManufacturingOperations just as theco-op was undertakingthe renovation andexpansion of theMiddlebury plant.

A few years later,Dick oversaw the new,much larger warehouseexpansion, and a fewyears after that the co-op made a big step for-

ward when it added the whey processing facilityat Middlebury.

Dick’s team was responsible formany improvements and advance-ments at Agri-Mark over the years.Expanding the co-op’s productionat Cabot while also retrofitting theChateaugay plant Agri-Markbought in 2004 brought manychallenges that Dick’s operationsteam not only overcame, but alsocapitalized upon. Projects consis-tently came in on time, on budget

and, more importantly, delivered theresults they promised and more.

Dick’s responsibilities have now been takenover by Jim Pratt, Senior V.P. of Operations,and Ed Pcolar, V.P. of Operations.

Since retirement, Dick has been spendingmore time with his family and grandchildren,even though he still makes weekly trips to theMethuen office every Tuesday to help with the

Richard Langworthy is enjoying his retirement following more than 30 years of service

Many new, state-of-the-art facilities have beenbuilt during the past three decades and are run-ning profitably for members and providing goodjobs for employees. Included in the list is theMiddlebury, Vt., plant shown behind Dick in thephoto.

(co

(continued on next page)

December 2011Agri-Mark

Milk QualitySummary

Raw Bacteria Count0-10,000 67.52%10,001-20,000 13.32%20,001-30,000 6.31%30,001-40,000 3.43%40,001-50,000 1.75%Over 50,000 7.67%

Pasteurized Count0-300 82.58%301-600 9.82%601-1,000 4.64%Over 1,000 2.96%

Leucocyte Count0-200,000 43.65%200,001-400,000 39.25%400,001-750,000 15.42%Over 750,000 1.67%

Component TestAverages

Butterfat: 3.89True Protein: 3.15Other Solids: 5.72

“Projects consistentlycame in on time, on budget and,

more importantly,delivered the results

they promised and more.”


7

Agri-Mark News

The Viewpoint (USP No. 378-560) Vol. 10, No.1, Winter 2012. Viewpoint is published twice per year by Agri-Mark, Inc., 100 Milk Street, Methuen, MA,01844. Periodicals Postage paid at Lawrence, MA and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Viewpoint,

Agri-Mark, Inc., P.O. Box 5800, Lawrence, MA 01842. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the Editor is strictly prohibited. Subscription price is $15.00 per year for members only. Complimentary issues provided solely at the discretion of the Editor.

Jordan BennettMadrid, New York

Duane Whitcomb, Jr.West Warren, Mass.

John J. CoxWaldo, Maine

Mary & Phillip S. ConnollyPittsfield, Maine

John A. MillerMexico, N.Y.

Emanuel & Elizabeth ShetlerGouverneur, N.Y.

Lou Ann ParishAdams, N.Y.

Joe & Fannie TroyerGouverneur, N.Y.

Mosie J. & Fannie YoderDeKalb, N.Y.

Mark AkinsLisbon, N.Y.

Elm Farm LLCWoodstock, Conn.


(from page 5)

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Last November, when Dr.Richard Stammer was appointed tothe position of Agri-Mark ChiefExecutive Officer, Ed Townley ofWilliston, Vt., was also promoted toExecutive Vice President and ChiefFinancial Officer of the cooperative.Townley has been working for Agri-Mark for the past eight years in theorganization’s Montpelier office asSenior Vice President andController of the co-op’s Cabotbrand. He continues to live inVermont, but still oversees the financial staffat Agri-Mark’s headquarters in Methuen, Mass.,as well as the staff in Montpelier.

“I’m really pleased that we have someonewithin the organization who has the skills nec-essary to keep the complex financial side ofour business moving forward,” says RichStammer, Agri-Mark CEO. “We are a farmercooperative that markets dairy products underthree brands – Agri-Mark, Cabot and McCadam– and each combine to return money directlyto the farm families that own the cooperative. I

have worked closely with Ed forthe past eight years and am excit-ed to have him play a key role inmy new management team.”

Townley has held a variety offinancial positions since graduat-ing from Northeastern Universityin 1979 with a B.S. in accounting.He worked for IBM, the BurlingtonFree Press newspaper and LanePress before landing at Cabot in2004 where he was responsible forall accounting functions, financial

measurement and reporting for the expandingcheese and dairy retail business.

“I feel very fortunate to have the opportu-nity to expand my role in a business like Agri-Mark that has its brands still growing in saleseach year by leaps and bounds,” says Townley.“I look forward to the challenge of my newposition. I also have an excellent financial staffto work with to ensure that we are doing thebest we can financially for our farmer-ownerseach day.”

Townley is new Agri-Mark Chief Financial Officer

Ed Townley.

co-op’s dairy product hedgingprogram, which he oversawfor many years. He alsoexpects to be spending evenmore time saltwater fishing inhis boat off the coast ofNewburyport, Mass., as weath-er allows, in the coming years.

As Paul Johnston has said,“Few people have the dedica-tion, attitude, skill and profes-sional experience that Dickhas brought to our organiza-tion, day after day, year afteryear.”

According to Dick, “I missthe energy and enthusiasm ofthe people I worked with to

run the businesses and pro-jects of the cooperative overthe years. Retirement offersthe valuable resource -- time -- to do things with friends andfamily with which work ofteninterfered.”

Everyone at Agri-Markmisses Dick professionallyand personally and we wishDick and his wife Laura manyhappy, healthy years aheadwith their family.

Langworthy retirement...(continued from previous page)

Dick during his early years atAgri-Mark in the 1980s.


Agri-Mark News

has not been unexpected, butwhat has been the mostrewarding to me is the depthof commitment that our mem-bers and employees have forthe company. Whether I am ata farm, an office or a salesmeeting or in one of our man-ufacturing plants, everyonestrongly supports Agri-Markand its brands because theyknow the money is going backto our farmer-members.Employees take a lot of pridein working for our membersand our members take a lot ofpride in the fact that theirmilk is being turned into prof-itable, award-winning dairyproducts by our employees.It’s really great as a new CEOto start with that type ofenthusiasm for the co-op andthe brands right from thebeginning.

What do you think arethe top two challenges facingthe co-op today?

Supporting the growth ofour successful brands willalways be a challenge, but agood challenge to have. Allbranded businesses face thatchallenge. But the added chal-lenge for Agri-Mark is that wehave to do this while we alsoserve the best interests of ourmember-owners. Our firstobligation is to our membersand assuring that we are meet-ing their expectations of whatthey want from their coopera-tive.

What is the co-op doingto help increase farm prices?The good part about being a

co-op is that we work to helpincrease prices on the farmdirectly as well as generatereturns from the marketplacefrom the sale of value-addedproducts. Chairman Neal Rea,

myself and economist BobWellington have been veryactive in working with theNational Milk ProducersFederation, our NortheastFarmer Cooperatives organiza-tion and other groups to tryand find a way to stabilizefarm prices at acceptable lev-els that covers a farmer’s costsand gives him a profit.

Cabot has grown tremen-dously in the past 20 yearssince it merged with Agri-Mark. What do you think canbe done to keep the Cabotbrand growing in sales andprofitability for members?

We know the formula forsuccess in this very competi-tive business. We have to con-tinue to produce the very bestdairy products.We have toinvest wisely in our infrastruc-ture to maintain quality plantsand always strive for more effi-ciency. We have to continu-ously seek new products tomeet changing consumertastes. We have to provide ourcustomers with the service lev-els they expect. We have towisely select new markets weare gong to invest in forgrowth. And we have to sup-port our growing sales withinnovative marketing pro-grams.

8

Mary FloodEllenburg Ctr., N.Y.

Samuel M.SwartzentruberEaston, Maine

Brian & Carole SipleyPeru, N.Y.

Virginia L.BeauchesneAuburn, Maine

Kevin R. DuFresneWashington, Maine

Andrew FlansburgConstableville, N.Y.

James E. RainvilleHeuvelton, N.Y.

Eli & Barbara ShetlerCanton, N.Y.

Vicky J. StevensMadison, Maine

John H. TroyerHeuvelton, N.Y.

Walter &Bonnie CooperAntwerp, N.Y.

Dan M.E. MillerRensselaer Falls, N.Y.

Stammer optimistic....(continued from page one)

Dr.Richard Stammer at the 2010 Agri-Mark annual meeting.


(from page 7)

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“Supporting thegrowth of our

successful brands willalways be a

challenge, but a goodchallenge to have.”


Agri-Mark News

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Projects targeting energy efficiency at each of our creameries are key to both reducing envi-ronmental impacts and creating value for our farmer-owners. Our facilities work with avariety of partner organizations in search of energy savings. Efficiency Vermont is an exam-

ple and this graph shows reduced electricity use due to energy efficiency projects over the pastdecade, with examples of projects from the past two years. Also, keep in mind that Cabot’s busi-ness has grown tremendously in the past decade.

New directors elected at regional meetings...(continued from page one)

them up to speed on Agri-Mark. Both of the new direc-tors have been through ourAgri-Mark Young Cooperatorprogram, so we know theyhave a good base of knowledgeabout the co-op.”

Rea says the membermeetings went well, with a lotof interest in what was goingon with the new dairy legisla-tion in Washington andactions the co-op was takingon behalf of members. Therewere also a lot of questionsabout both the Cabot andMcCadam brands that are

owned by the co-op and howthey were performing for

members.“The year 2012 is going to

be a year of transition in manyways, both on the Board andwithin our management staff,”says Rea. “However, we expectto have good results for 2011once the audit is completed.We are also in a very goodposition for the coming yearsto further grow our businessand continue to generate prof-its for members.”

Richard Price, left, ofGilmanton Iron Works, N.H.,accepts the Top QualityAward for Region 2. To hisright is proud Agri-Mark fieldrepresentative Erin Marlowe.

Elmer M. MillerRensselaer Falls, N.Y.

Irvin & Martha NoltNorth Bangor, N.Y.

Charles SturnioloChamplain, N.Y.

If one of our newmembers is yourneighbor, please takea moment to wel-come them to Agri-Mark!


(from page 8)


Congratulations tothe following memberswho produced excellentquality milk for the co-op during 2011!

Region #1FIRST PLACE AND TOP

QUALITY PRODUCER:Lowell J., Jr. & Karen D. DavenportSECOND PLACE: University of Connecticut

Region #2FIRST PLACE: Price FarmSECOND PLACE:Gordon W. & Marion F. Jones

Region #3FIRST PLACE: Karen C. & Charles R. HerzigSECOND PLACE:The Corse Farm Dairy LLC

Region #4FIRST PLACE:Sean Quinn & MelissaMurraySECOND PLACE:Mark & Alice Moody

Region #5FIRST PLACE:Reta L. Youngs& Kevin DibbleSECOND PLACE:Hanehan Family Dairy LLC

Region #6FIRST PLACE:Richard H. KeeneySECOND PLACE:Noel & Mary Clemens

Region #7FIRST PLACE:Richardson FarmSECOND PLACE:John W. Luther

Region #8FIRST PLACE:Tower Hill FarmSECOND PLACE: Leslie Rublee

Region #9FIRST PLACE:Joe L. FultsSECOND PLACE: Stephen Eisel

Region #10FIRST PLACE:Gerard & Kay A. SpinnerSECOND PLACE: Glen & Mary Blow

Region #11FIRST PLACE:Dimock Farms LLCSECOND PLACE:Daniel J., Jr. & Mary AnnBeachy

Region #12FIRST PLACE:Andersonville Dairy LLCSECOND PLACE:Philippe & Nancy Alston

Region #13FIRST PLACE:Roger & Joy WoodSECOND PLACE:Winsome Farm

Region #14FIRST PLACE:University of Maine

SECOND PLACE:Joshua J. Clark

Agri-Mark News

10

Karen and Charles Herzig were the topwinners in Region 3.

New York StateA g r i c u l t u r eCommissioner DarrelJ. Aubertineannounced inDecember theappointment of twoAgri-Mark membersto the 14th New YorkState DairyPromotion AdvisoryBoard: Kim Nelson ofWest Winfield, an at-large member; andCarol Rea ofCambridge, endorsedby Agri-Mark.

The 10-memberDairy PromotionAdvisory Board advis-es the Commissioneron the disposition ofapproximately $12.5million a year infunds collected frommilk producers underthe producer-approved New YorkDairy PromotionOrder.

The Board alsorecommends promo-tion programs, nutri-tion education pro-grams, program infor-mation and other sup-

po we pr re Ea ser No mi du Yo Or

Sta Ad ap at pro

ha tha bil an Yo fou sta

is ag co ca ec ing far th cu pro hig tip

NY DairyPromotionAdvisoryBoardAppointed

N B(co pr

Agri-Mark’s regional top quality award winnersThese farm families produced the best milk of more than 1,250 member farms in 2011

Roger and Joy Wood of Concord, Vt. werethe top winners in Region 13.



n

Agri-Mark Young Cooperator News

11

Y

porting services, aswell as various dairyproduct qualityresearch proposals.Each board memberserves for three years.Nominations were sub-mitted by milk pro-ducers under the NewYork Dairy PromotionOrder.

The first New YorkState Dairy PromotionAdvisory Board wasappointed in May 1972at the request of dairyproducers.

New York Statehas 5,380 dairy farmsthat produce over 12.5billion pounds of milkannually, making NewYork the nation’sfourth largest dairystate.

The dairy industryis the state’s largestagricultural sector,contributing signifi-cantly to the state’seconomy by generat-ing $2.2 billion at thefarmgate, over half ofthe state’s total agri-cultural receipts, andproviding some of thehighest economic mul-tipliers in the state.

NY AdvisoryBoard...(continued fromprevious page)

Four YC couples attended the annual meeting of theNational Milk Producers Federation

Brian and Jennifer Lynch ofAntwerp, N.Y.; Jason and CarrieBaker of Randolph, Vt.; MelissaBreene and Matt Jordan of WestGreenwich, R.I., and SteveBarstow II and Katelyn Perchakof Hadley, Mass., representedAgri-Mark Young Cooperators(YCs) at the National MilkProducers Federation (NMPF)annual meeting held inNovember in San Diego,California.

During the meeting, YCsattended NMPF’s YC Leadershipand Development Program thatincluded sessions on issues affecting the dairyindustry and their individual farm operations.Attending the Leadership and DevelopmentProgram, along with the meeting’s general ses-sions, gave those attending considerableinsight into cooperative milk marketing and abetter understanding of the national dairyindustry picture.

“It was a great educational experience,”says Melissa Breene. “We learned so muchabout the national dairy industry and themany organizations that are part of it, it wasgreat.”

For those not familiar with the selection

process, Agri-Mark’s Board ofDirectors sends four YC cou-ples (or individuals) to theNMPF annual meeting eachyear. YCs interested in attend-ing submit a two page applica-tion form that is used, alongwith a personal interview withthe NMPF YC DelegateSelection Committee, as thecriteria for those selected toattend the meeting.Brian Lynch says that he andJennifer enjoyed the meetingand the chance to meet withother young farmers from

around the country.“Meeting with people our own age who are

experiencing the same things we are on thefarm was enjoyable,” he says. “We also likedthe roundtable discussions with different pro-ducer groups as well. It gives you a differentperspective on things when you realize whydairy farmers in other parts of the countrysometimes think different than we do.”

Applications for the 2012 selection processwill be available this coming spring. Pleasecontact John Majkut at Agri-Mark’s Methuenoffice (800-225-0532 ext. 4935) if you haveany questions.

Members Brian and Jennifer Lynch, left, from New York State attended the NMPF meeting, as didMelissa Breene and Matt Jordan, center, of Rhode Island. Jason Baker, right, from Vermont., alsoattended the meeting with his wife Carrie.

Katelyn Perchak and SteveBarstow II of Hadley, Mass.,also visited San Diego!


Agri-Mark News

12

Agri-Mark, Inc.100 Milk StreetMethuen, MA 01844Address Service Requested

Need some helpwith Agri-Mark’sweb site?

Members - if youneed help with Agri-Mark’s web site, pleasecontact John Majkut atthe co-op’s Methuen,Mass., office.

Members areencouraged to use thetoll-free numbers onpage two and connectto extension 4935.

John can bereached by dialing hisextension directly at978-687-4935 or byemailing him at [email protected].

Notice of Annual Meeting of

Voting Representatives of Agri-Mark, Inc.

Please take notice that the annual meeting of the voting representativesof Agri-Mark, Inc. will be held at the Marriott Hotel, 189 Wolf Rd., Albany, NewYork on Thursday, April 12, and Friday, April 13, 2012. The Thursday sessionwill begin at 1:00 P.M. The Friday session will begin at 8:30 A.M.

The purposes of the meeting are:1. To receive and act upon the minutes of the 2011 Annual Meeting.2. To receive and act upon reports of officers and committees.3. To receive and act upon the Annual Financial Report.4. To consider and act upon the report of the Resolutions Committee.5. To transact any other business which may properly come before

the meeting.

By Order of the Board of Directors


Documents

108289 AgriMark NL SC · 2017. 1. 27. · extra sharp cheddar cheese made by Foremost Farms USA at the 2011 NMPF cheese competition. The Foremost Farms Cheddar was selected from among