Page 83 - Fall2012

play three essential pieces of information about This is huge progress and signals a “cease fire” in the CDFA attack
their operations. That information includes: against the California family cow and local consumption and sale of
raw milk. RAWMI has been a part of the development of the voluntary
1. The farmer's story and website. self-certification standards that were drawn up at the working group, but
2. A copy of their RAMP food safety plan RAWMI still appears to be an outsider for some micro-dairies because of
showing the “Grass to Glass” efforts that the distrust for political process that so many of the family cow operations
they make to assure the very best raw milk have had with state regulators. Some would rather hide than engage. As
possible. time passes more and more of the California small dairies are changing
3. Raw milk bacteria counts and testing results. their attitudes and RAWMI is becoming more of a resource as transpar-
ency and food safety become more essential in the relationship between
This type of transparency is something farmer and consumer.
that consumers have been quietly demanding In other states this political dynamic appears to be a reflection of
for years. It is also a way for the hard work and the local situation. In Oregon there is little or no hesitancy to engage and
efforts of the farmer to be displayed and appreci- become transparent.
ated. When one hundred dairies are listed and
showing their data, the FDA will have a pretty FOOD SAFETY IS THE FUTURE
darn hard time denying the cold clean raw milk Food safety and testing are all new to most micro-dairies. Time and
facts. demonstrated RAWMI utility will change things. I can imagine a time
when raw milk dairies will brag about their RAWMI testing numbers
CALIFORNIA and RAWMI will become a place to read consumer raw milk testimonials
It is interesting that not all localities have that are FDA-banned at their own farmers' websites. RAWMI portal data
embraced RAWMI. In California, for instance, will become something you take to your bank or your insurance agent for
the political climate for micro-dairies has been access to lower premiums. RAWMI portal data will be a household refer-
less than inviting. In fact the situation in Califor- ence point for consumers seeking to learn about their food sources. We
nia is dynamic and changing. In 2013, a bill will should all work to accomplish this as a goal. It will be good for farmers,
be introduced in California to legalize the sale consumers, cows, the earth and America.
of raw milk off the farm as long as the farmer The evidence collected by RAWMI is irrefutable and everyone, even
has three or fewer cows and sells to the final our government, will be able to review and see the facts for themselves.
consumer directly off of the farm. RAWMI is a market builder and teaching organization.
The draft is not final, but the content has Market building and teaching are the two most effective tools that can
pretty much already been negotiated with all the be used against the highly corrupt pasteurized milk commodity systems
powers in charge. This happened as a result of that ignore consumer health, raw milk test data, CDC and NIH research
the efforts of the “CDFA Small Herd Working science and farmer sustainability. After all, the processors love a farmer
Group” and the engagement and work of CDFA, that sells them milk at below cost.
Department of Public Health and the state vet It has been said that things are cheaper if you can steal them. That is ex-
along with cow share owners and yes, RAWMI actly the paradigm of thought that runs through the minds and checkbooks
was at all seven of the meetings. of modern day processors and their dairy farm-killing, allergy-causing,

THE WISCONSIN RAW MILK ASSOCIATION

The Wisconsin Raw Milk Association (WRMA) (http://www.wisrawmilkassociation.com) is a small grassroots group
of farmers and consumers committed to changing the raw milk laws in Wisconsin. The WRMA is presently working to
pass a law legalizing the sale of raw milk and raw milk products, while ensuring a safe supply.
The Wisconsin Raw Milk Association is actively negotiating to get legislation introduced and passed that would legalize
on-farm sales of raw milk. This would not only make on farm sales legal but would also further protect private food clubs.
There are only a handful of producers, a small number of consumers and one lobbyist doing this work. The opposition
has many lobbyists and financial supporters, a well-developed marketing campaign, an apathetic public, DATCP, public
health professionals and the despotic federal agencies.
Andrew Mastrocola, Jefferson/Waukesha Chapter Leader, and others are spending much time and their own limited
money to help this situation. They are calling for help. If you are able to donate to their efforts, see http://pledgie.com/
campaigns/17430

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