Spring, 2003 Real Milk Update

What's Happening in the US and Overseas

Twenty-eight year old Shannon Hayes grew up on a farm in Warnerville, one hour west of Albany, New York. Her parents, Adele and Jim Hayes, raise pastured beef, chickens, turkeys, geese, lamb and pigs. Shannon is following in her parents' footsteps in the progressive agriculture field, has a contract for a cookbook on meat dishes, writes a monthly column for a publication called Graze, is a poised speaker and sits on the board of New York's Regional Farm and Food Project. Recently she appeared on a radio program where she poetically described the process of buying raw milk straight from the farm:

"One cannot purchase raw milk from an anonymous figure standing at the grocery store register. It cannot come from faceless, all-powerful corporations. It cannot come with a guarantee of the watchful eye of government inspectors. Raw milk is passed to you through the farmers' hands. The assurance of a safe glass of raw milk means looking the farm family in the eyes, knowing how they grow the food, knowing firsthand of their integrity. Purchasing raw milk is not merely a commercial transaction. It is an act of faith and trust between the farmer and the buyer. One is entrusted to grow the food with care; the other is entrusted with protecting the farmers' right to grow it. To accept this drink, without the layers of so-called protective treatments and bureaucratic inspections, is to accept more than simply nourishment, flavor and ideals. It is accepting a glass of fellowship."

Following are updates on our campaign to make that exchange of fellowship possible throughout the country, throughout the world.

WISCONSIN

We have reported on the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's (DATCP) efforts to prohibit cow sharing programs they once endorsed. However, during court proceedings Judge Cheryl Daniels acknowledged that bona fide owners of a milk producer license may consume raw milk directly from the farm. With financial help from the Weston A. Price Foundation, a model corporation has been set up at Clearview Acres in Hayward, Wisconsin. Those desiring raw milk can become nonvoting members of a corporation holding a Grade A license in the dairy operation of a farm. The language of this corporation will be made available to farmers throughout the country for a modest fee and then can be tailored to the particular state. The completion of these documents has generated intense interest and we are hopeful that this model will be used to bring dairy farmers and raw milk consumers together in many states. For more information, contact the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, farmtoconsumer.org, (703) 208-FARM (3276), .

CALIFORNIA

Raw milk can legally be sold in stores in California and two fine dairies are making it available—Claravale Dairy in Watsonville, and Organic Pastures Dairy near Fresno, CA. Recently the state asked Mark McAfee, owner of Organic Pastures, to "voluntarily" shut down operations because listeria was found in a test. Mark tests his milk daily and posts the results on his website—he has found no pathogens and has received no complaints. Mark said, firmly and politely, "No way, José."

NEW YORK

We have a late-breaking report from Hawthorne Valley Dairy in the Hudson Valley, which sells raw milk through their farm store. State officials have shut down raw milk sales over the issue of Staphylococcus aureus, a potentially pathogenic organism, in the milk. Although no one has gotten sick and no one has complained, officials want to set the accepted level at zero. The dairy will be arguing for a count of 500, which is the European standard for on-farm sales. This is clearly an attempt by the state to shut down raw milk sales in New York. Hawthorne Valley and other raw milk sellers will need dedicated consumer support to force the state to set a reasonable standard.

OHIO

For years, the only dairy selling raw milk in Ohio has been Young's dairy—grandfathered in when legislation to abolish raw milk sales was passed in 1956. But after 50 years without a single problem, the dairy has decided to close down the raw milk operation and sell only pasteurized milk. The reason: a recent outbreak of 47 salmonella cases, 16 of whom worked at the dairy, from a strain that originated elsewhere in the state. And while state officials have been unable to positively attribute the problem to Young's, the dairy has given in to pressure.

The outbreak and subsequent decision by the dairy came just a week after the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation voted to support an effort aimed at permitting more people to sell raw milk. The majority of the more than 400 delegates to the group's annual meetings, all active or retired farmers from across the state, said that anyone who wants to should be given a license to sell raw milk. Then came the incident at Young's Dairy. Coincidence? We think not.

But the decision by Young's could actually be a boon to other farmers in the state who want to set up cow-share or farm-share programs. Laurie Smith of Cridersville is trying to put something together. She can be contacted at .

OKLAHOMA

We have recently learned of Swan Brothers Dairy in Claremore, Oklahoma. They sell raw milk, cream and cheese from pastured animals. Their website is www.tiawah.com/swandairy.htm.

TENNESSEE

Shawn Dady is working with legislatures to make raw milk legal in the state. At a recent meeting, the health departemnt brought in an "expert" from the University of Tennessee who described the diseases that could be carried in raw milk. As a fall back position, the committee is now looking into the legality of cow share programs—which are already being set up inTennessee. For further information contact Shawn at (615) 661-7699 or visit www.tennesseansforrawmilk.com.

UTAH

Tyler Carver is working on setting up a "farm share" program in Utah. He has located a willing farmer and tapped into plenty of interest. For more information, or to lend him a helping hand, contact Tyler at or (801) 366-0472.

COLORADO

Guidestone Farm was given clearance to operate a cow-share program by the Colorado health department in 1994. For eight years, they have operated quietly, without any problems, providing raw milk to more than 150 families. Now other farmers are becoming interested in doing cow-share programs—more and more people want access to raw milk—so naturally the state is trying to shut the program down. In a letter dated February 27, Dan Trimberger of the Consumer Protection Division announced proposed regulatory changes that would make cow-share programs illegal.

State officials recently met with consumers to discuss the proposed changes—and were unprepared for the quality of the testimony they heard. Consumers argued for their right to freedom of choice, health professionals delineated the health benefits of raw milk, and two lawyers—one for Guidestone and one for the Colorado Farmers' Union—pointed out that legislation against cow-share programs would be unconstitutional. Officials left the meeting with their tails between their legs, stating that the current law would stand until further deliberations.

MARYLAND

Spiritual Food for the New Millennium, based in Bethesda, Maryland, is spearheading an effort to set up a farm-share program based on the Wisconsin model. They are working with a biodynamic farmer in the Eastern Shore and with Edgar J. Asebey, a lawyer with experience in environmental and regulatory law. Tim Wightman will be helping them with technical advice. What's needed is help with the financing. This is a key program and one that could really expand the Campaign for Real Milk. If you are interested in helping, contact Edgar at (240) 354-6870 or .

MASSACHUSETTS

State law allows the sale of raw milk, but local regulations determine whether raw milk is available in a particular township. That's why the availability of raw milk in Massachusetts varies from district to district. Cyndy Gray is spearheading an effort to set up a cow share program—the Contented Cow Co-op—in Essex, Massachusetts, where local laws are restrictive. One family has volunteered to make available their historic dairy farm. Purchase of cows and equipment will be necessary. If you would like to help, contact Cyndy at .

In Hardwick, Massachusetts (about the middle of the state), Regina Robinson is in the planning phases of a cow share program using restored pasture rented from her dad, a conventional dairy farmer. She needs both moral support and financial help. She can be contacted at or (413) 477-0011.

MICHIGAN

Although not technically allowed under current dairy regulations, a cow-share program operated by Chuck and Debbie Oliver serving the greater metropolitan Detroit area is thriving. Currently providing unprocessed milk and cream to approximately 200 participants, the Olivers are signing up new customers weekly.

Interest is growing in other parts of the state, especially as farmers recognize that cow share programs are a way to overcome the downward income spiral of dairy farmers caught in the contract system. New programs may be starting in the Grand Rapids and Lansing areas, as well as another north of Traverse city. These farmers will need strong consumer support.

At the same time, the Detroit chapter is working with legislators to change existing regulations to include cow share programs. To support this endeavor, please contact Peggy Beals at (734) 457-0406 or .

Australia

On my recent trip to Australia, I found a lively interest in raw milk. Availability varies depending on the state—Australians should contact their local chapter (to date, there are nine in Australia) to find out whether raw milk is available locally.

In Brisbane, farmer Pat McCarthy has set up a successful cow share program. His milk, cream and beautiful yellow butter can be obtained at the weekly Brisbane farmers market.

A Real Milk Alliance in Queensland is working with lawyer Ron Sinclair to make changes to existing regulations to allow the sale of raw cows milk in health food stores, similar to existing sales of raw goats milk. If you would like to get involved, contact Don MacFarlane at (07) 5467-1411 or .

While in Queensland, I was updated on the activities of a dairy in Goomboorian. They had been selling raw milk from their Jersey herd as "pet milk" in local health food stores. When the health department told them to desist, they came up with a better idea. They now sell Cleopatra's Bath Milk as a "Cosmetic Skin Treatment." The label states: "As it is presently unlawful in Queensland to supply pure, unprocessed dairy products as food, it is important your body is able to absorb the vitamins and enzymes only available in raw milk, this can be done by bathing in it. Please tell your member of Parliament what you think." Sales of Cleopatra's Bath Milk are brisk!

New Zealand

Raw goat milk is available at Huckleberry Farms Natural Foods store, which has three locations in Auckland. It must be ordered in advance.

If you are interested in a cow share program, contact our new local chapter Alison Ellett at (09) 420-8548 or .

NICARAGUA

We received the following message by email from Christain Masis in Nicaragua ( ). "We have a small dairy farm and use the milk to make a product which is very popular in our county and the Nicaraguan community loves it. We have been selling this product for about 12 years. . . We make it from raw milk by adding a small amount of culture. . . We call it lecheagria, which means sour milk. People say that it is very healthy for diabetics, for liver disease, for almost for every thing. . .We are having the problem that the owners of the grocery stores where we sell the product are asking us for labels on the containers, because the USDA inspectors ask them for a label in order to not make them throw the product into the garbage. It seems that the inspectors know that it is made from raw milk. We are thinking of pasteurizing the milk but the customers say that if we do it, they are going to stop buying the products, because it is going to lose the properties it has. What can we do? This is what we do for a living."

We have advised them to get their customers to protest, or to organize some kind of direct sale program.

HELP WITH LEGAL FEES

The legal costs of battling the state of Wisconsin and of setting up the new farm share program totalled $34,500 for three farms combined—not to mention the loss of income during periods where the farms were not allowed to sell raw milk. If you would like to help these brave farmers clear their debt, please make contributions to Clearview Acres (715-462-3076) or Midvallyvu Farms, Inc. (715-285-5331). To receive full tax-deductibility, donations may be made to the Weston A. Price Foundation, earmarked for A Campaign for Real Milk. All funds donated for these legal expenses will be made over to the law firm involved.

This page was posted on 07/16/03