Page 5 - Winter2010

Letters

Valley to encourage them to reconsider that Organic Valley is against raw milk farmer is at the mercy of the inspector’s
their position. I encourage this. I have sales, it’s the liability they face if one view, and we all know how the govern-
also written them letters. However, as of their farms causes illness. You can’t ment feels about raw milk. You have
a farmer who has been affected by the sit in Washington and tell me that every to understand how your view hurts so
new rule, I would also like to discour- farm that sells raw milk is high quality many more than it helps. Why is it that
age any boycotts or mudslinging. I have and safe. Unless you’ve investigated the farmer takes all the risk and only
been hearing talk of a national boycott each and every site on your web page, a few reap the rewards? If a vote were
of Organic Valley brand. I am convinced how can you honestly say that? taken by our co-op, half of the farmers
that sort of action can only hurt the On our farm, we do sell raw milk would vote against raw milk sales, half
entire organic movement. I definitely to a few relatives and neighbors. This for it. Why is it wrong for Organic Val-
believe they made the wrong choice. is legal in Illinois, and Organic Valley ley to protect all of their producers?
However, we need to work together is okay with this. These customers are We are fifth generation Illinois
despite differences and appreciate the only people we trust, and they trust us dairy farmers. We would not be farm-
common ground we have. I consider to produce milk that is healthy and safe. ing any longer if Organic Valley hadn’t
Organic Valley to be one of the most The problem is that the farmer faces all been able to take on our farm in 2002.
honorable and well run organizations I the liability if something goes wrong. We could not pass on our farm to our
have ever worked with. They also tend Once it leaves the farm, you have no sons for the sixth generation. We ask that
to be a little ahead of the organic rule control over how quickly the milk is you reconsider your decision, remember
regarding pasture requirements. I cer- refrigerated or if the containers it went those of us who are affected directly by
tainly agree that the “no milk diversion into are clean. it, and find another way to make your
for a business” policy has seemed out of Asking members to not support point.
character for what I know of them. But I Organic Valley products hurts all of Delmar and Theresa Westaby
am convinced that a boycott of Organic the farmers who work so hard to pro- Stockton, Illinois
Valley (which has an excellent reputa- duce their products. When sales drop
tion as a small organic co-op) would, to a low level, a supply quota will be CONTROVERSIAL CUCUMBERS
at the least, cripple the growth of the automatically implemented on the dairy The recent Virginia Independent
organic movement. If Organic Valley is farmers to produce less milk. This, in Consumers and Farmers Association
not to be trusted, who in organics will turn, causes financial strain on us. Not meeting at the Farmers’ Market in
the consumer trust? all Organic Valley dairy producers agree Virginia Beach was interesting and en-
Glenn Wenger with raw milk sales; some of us do, but lightening. Members from as far away as
Mountain Meadows Farm in a limited capacity. The farms that Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania came
Richfield, Pennsylvania want unlimited raw milk sales should to discuss their trials and tribulations
terminate their agreement with Organic as small independent farmers. It was a
AN ISSUE OF LIABILITY Valley and go out on their own. shock to learn just how very difficult it
I am writing in concern over your Also, another factor in all of this is to be a small farmer nowadays.
decision to ask your members not to is the federal and state milk inspectors A friend observed that eating good
support Organic Valley products due who will target those facilities that allow quality food such as products grown by
to their position on raw milk sales. We raw milk sales. If Organic Valley openly small independent farmers is an invest-
are Organic Valley Dairy Producers promotes raw milk, every inspector ment in health. You can either buy good
in Illinois. Your decision hurts all the around will be after their farms. If you quality food, he said, or pay higher bills
other producers with Organic Valley fail a government inspection for any rea- when you visit the doctor. These days,
whether we sell raw milk or not. It is not son, you cannot sell milk to anyone. The there are many people who share those

WINTER 2010 Wise Traditions 5

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