Agri-Mark will receive the New York Dairy of Distinction 2012 'Business of Distinction' award at a special ceremony on Aug. 27 at the New York State Fair in Syracuse, NY.

"We're pleased to announce that Agri-Mark has been named our 2012 'Business of Distinction'," said Nancy Putman, Secretary of Dairy of Distinction's New York chapter. "Agri-Mark and its Cabot and McCadam dairy brands exemplify the very best in the dairy industry."

She said the award is presented to Agri-Mark "in recognition for all it has done to support and promote the dairy industry throughout New York State, and across the nation. Many of the members of Dairy of Distinction's New York chapter are members of the Agri-Mark dairy cooperative, and we are thrilled to recognize the good work and deeds they do in support of their communities and the industry at large."

Nancy and her husband Clark are also members of the Agri-Mark Cooperative, and together operate the Putman Farm in Lisbon, NY, where they have 47 milkers and 50 head of young stock.

"Naming Agri-Mark this year's Business of Distinction award winner was a pretty easy call for our Board," Putman explained. "When we looked at all Cabot has done this past year to celebrate cooperatives, community and volunteers through its 2012 Community Tour and Reward Volunteers programs, and all McCadam has done to support the communities they serve throughout the state by donating products and services to non-profits and local organizations, it was an easy decision for our board members," Putman said. "We're happy to recognize Agri-Mark for all it does to promote the dairy industry and support communities throughout the state."

"We're honored to be recognized with this prestigious award," said Neal Rea, Chairman of the Board of Agri-Mark, and a New York state dairy farmer himself. "We take great pride in everything we do and this award is a fine testament to the hard work and dedication of all our farm-family owners and the employees of Cabot and McCadam."

Agri-Mark, with $900 million in 2011 sales, ranks No. 33 on the 2012 Dairy 100, Dairy Foods' annual list of North America's largest dairy processors. The co-op processes cheese, butter, milk, cultured dairy foods, nonfat powder and whey. It operates plants in Massachusetts, New York and Vermont.

Agri-Mark farmers own the Cabot brand of Vermont Cheddar, butter and other dairy products in addition to the McCadam brand of New York Cheddar, Pepper Jack and other cheeses. Cabot has won the award of World's Best Cheddar three times and McCadam recently won the award of America's Best Cheese.