Vermont Public is independent, community-supported media, serving Vermont with trusted, relevant and essential information. We share stories that bring people together, from every corner of our region. New to Vermont Public? Start here.

© 2024 Vermont Public | 365 Troy Ave. Colchester, VT 05446

Public Files:
WVTI · WOXM · WVBA · WVNK · WVTQ · WVTX
WVPR · WRVT · WOXR · WNCH · WVPA
WVPS · WVXR · WETK · WVTB · WVER
WVER-FM · WVLR-FM · WBTN-FM

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@vermontpublic.org or call 802-655-9451.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

St. Albans Farmers To Vote On Merging With Dairy Farmers Of America

Two men sit behind a desk.
John Dillon
/
VPR
St. Albans Co-op CEO Leon Berthiaume (left) and board chairman Harold Howrigan Jr. explain the merger deal before a recent hearing of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

It's decision time for the 340 farmer-owners of the St. Albans Cooperative Creamery. The farmers vote Monday on whether to merge their co-op into the much larger Dairy Farmers of America.

The seven-member St. Albans board has already voted unanimously to have the St. Albans co-op, its trucking company and retail store become wholly owned subsidiaries of the 14,000-member Dairy Farmers of America based in Kansas City, Kansas.

Now for the deal to be finalized, two-thirds of those attending a special meeting in St. Albans must approve.

The St. Albans board has pitched the deal as a win-win for the Vermont co-op. One big reason is the need for investment in the co-op’s plant and equipment. A DFA official has pledged that it will invest $30 million in the St. Albans processing plant, and another $5 million in the trucking company.

But critics point out that St. Albans' farmers will vote on the deal without knowing fully how it will affect their bottom line. The exact value of their ownership stake will be determined by an audit after the vote happens.

The special meeting with be held Monday, July 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the American Legion in St. Albans.

John worked for VPR in 2001-2021 as reporter and News Director. Previously, John was a staff writer for the Sunday Times Argus and the Sunday Rutland Herald, responsible for breaking stories and in-depth features on local issues. He has also served as Communications Director for the Vermont Health Care Authority and Bureau Chief for UPI in Montpelier.
Latest Stories