Page 82 - Fall2012

RAWMI is a OUTBREAK IN OREGON help farmers understand their own challenges
In Oregon, twenty-three people were seri-
and manage these challenges. RAWMI is a tool
way for ously sickened in February 2012 after consuming to allow transparency of the bacteria counts that
consumers raw milk from a cow share operation. As a result each farmer should be so proud of. RAWMI is
to be able to of this outbreak, RAWMI was invited to provide a way for consumers to be able to identify high
identify high training and additional assistance to more than quality sources of raw milk and know that a third
fifty small Oregon raw milk dairy farmers who party has audited their systems.
quality made the decision to stand together, embrace A RAWMI Listed Dairyman is connected to

sources of standards and improve raw milk production. The a broader brotherhood of like minded dairymen
raw milk and first RAWMI listed dairymen came out of this who challenge themselves every day to achieve
excellence. These RAWMI listed dairymen act as
training and mentoring experience.
know that a We are very proud to announce Champoeg mentors for one another and support each other
third party Creamery and its owner Charlotte Smith as be- in times of need. Most importantly, a RAWMI

has audited ing the first “RAWMI listed” raw milk dairy listed dairyman has a plan to help him avoid a
operation in North America. Charlotte will be time of need.
their systems. speaking about her RAWMI experience and the When the RAWMI listed seal is seen,
tools that RAWMI brings to her operations at consumers will know what they are buying and
the Santa Clara WAPF convention in November feeding their families.
2012. Not everyone will embrace this new open-
It is hoped that more small dairy operations ness. Not everyone will want to stand up and
will follow her example and join RAWMI and establish a track record where there was none
become listed. before. RAWMI is for pioneers who want to
change the world and make it a healthier place for
TRANSPARENCY all to live, one baby, one family and one farmer
We have seen a national trend towards some at a time. RAWMI listed farmers will be a group
raw milk producers “secretly hiding and being of pioneers who will fear little because they will
scared of transparency." We do not blame pro- have done the hard work to assure excellence in
ducers who hide away from exposure. In many their raw milk products.
parts of the U.S. raw milk production is illegal The line to become RAWMI listed has
and hiding is required. formed and we now have many farmers inter-
However, it will be very difficult to advance ested and have submitted applications to follow
raw milk food safety or establish a track record Charlotte's lead. A brave new world of transpar-
of safety and increase consumer access to raw ency and openness has been established and now
milk, if raw milk producers do not come out of it is up to us to join and support RAWMI as we
hiding. RAWMI is not about hiding; it is about establish a track record and prove that raw milk
standing up and leading the way forward with is safe and healing.
pride and hard work.
So many small dairy operators fear govern- THE BENEFITS TO FARMERS
ment and fear exposure and this is not without Each RAWMI listed farmer will have their
merit or good reason. RAWMI is a tool that can own portal at www.rawmilkinstitute.org to dis-

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