I just recently attended the Agricultural Media Summit in Portland, OR and just missed the American Cheese Society annual conference. I’ve been meaning to look up what happened there and finally did. For one thing they have a competition here’s the top result:

Not since Lewis & Clark has a pioneering partnership yielded such accolades. Cabot Clothbound Cheddar, a cooperative venture of Vermont cheesemakers Cabot Creamery and Jasper Hill Farm, was named “Best of Show” at the 23rd Annual Conference and Competition of the American Cheese Society (ACS), held this year in Portland, Oregon. Cabot Clothbound Cheddar was awarded first place for “Aged Cheddars, All Milks (Aged Between 12 & 24 Months).” Then, in a second judging exclusively of blue ribbon winners from the 22 categories, Cabot Clothbound bested a very competitive field to earn Grand Champion

Here’s where you can find the complete results brochure. (pdf)