By finding this blog, you must be aware that the raw milk farmers in Connecticut are in need of your help.
Click here, here and here to see the proposed changes that could seriously impact their business by essentially 'nickel-ing' and 'dime-ing' them to the point that they will be unable to provide their product to the people that want it. Your right to buy raw milk in your local grocery or health food store will be taken away as well if the bill passes.
It's not too late to do something to help.
Write a letter to your State of Connecticut House and Senate representative and let them know that you care about your freedom to choose raw milk and aged raw milk cheeses over pasteurized. Ask them to reject the proposed bill; specifically - to reject limiting sales to the farms only and reject the additional testing costs at the expense of the farmers. These proposed testing fees could possibly prevent them from running their business.
Tell your representative why it's important to you that they reject this proposed bill.
This is just a suggestion of how a letter can be written, please use your own words and even a personal testimony:
Dear Representative,
Please be aware of a proposed bill that is soon to cross your desk concerning the raw milk and aged raw milk cheese producers of Connecticut. This subject is very important to myself and my family and we would like your support. I urge you to take action and reject this bill. Buying raw milk and aged raw milk cheese is a choice and choice is a freedom. Please help us to keep the freedom to buy raw milk at my local grocery store without any additional cost to the farmers.
Now raw milk - what's next?
Check back for information regarding the scheduled meeting at the State Office Building on January 21st, 2009 at 10:00AM in room 126.
9 comments:
It would be helpful to have the exact citation number of this proposed legislation, as well as the exact paragraph that would prevent, say, "Edge of the Woods" in New Haven from selling raw milk.
My assemblyman doesn't strike me as a terribly bright man, and I'm sure I will need to be very specific.
The proposed legislation does not have a bill number yet. It will be posted as soon as one is assigned sometime after January 14th. Letters that are written right now will be to give them a heads up, that there are people that care about raw milk and the small farmers. We may need to contact our representatives several times to get their attention. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment!
My family does not live in CT so we are unable to have a represetative on this issue. But,we do hope that it does not pass because for months now we have been traveling from RI to CT to purchase raw milk. We support their farm and their rights to sell to stores. And we reject the idea of imposing fees on them for further testing of their cows. We will try to make the Hartford meeting.
Thank you so much for taking the time to let us know this issue is important to you. These farmers have many out of state customers, showing support at the State Office Building would definitely be one thing you could do to help. We'll keep you updated on this fight and let you know if there is anything else you can do. Thanks for the comment!
On Saturday mornings I travel to Willimantic from Glastonbury to pick up real milk (and sourdough bread). I read about the proposed bill this morning. The national dairy industry works hard to suppress our rights. We really need to get a good estimate of our market value (including Hollie's contribution), and use a steady, organized approach to fight their constant incursions. It really is about freedom, and exposing dishonesty.
Daniel, please contact me at chooserawmilk@resetyourways.com if you have specific ideas that we can implement. Suggestions are warmly welcomed. I'm assuming you shop at the Willimantic Co op, don't you just love that place? I'm so glad they're there.
I heard about this issue a few days ago and contacted Jennifer at CitySeed, the organization that promotes farmer markets. She is very interested in what is happening. On Monday I will be sending my local representatives and senator calls, letters and information in support of raw milk.
It is important for the General Assembly to realize that raw milk is far more beneficial to human health than pasteurized milk. After all, if it was dangerous we would have stopped drinking it a few thousand years ago!
I would suggest that everyone concerned with this issue send their representative and senator scientific information on the health benefits of raw milk. We need to counter the Department of Agriculture and Health Department which is trying to kill the sale of raw milk by way of burdensome and rather heavy-handed regulation. As someone involved with regulatory processes, I can spot "Death by Regulation" when I see it.
But the health benefits are only one aspect. A greater aspect is that in buying raw milk we are supporting local businesses, and in the coming years local businesses will play an increasingly important role in the economy. Instead of driving small dairy's out of business, government should be subsidizing them.
Thanks for reading,
Stephen
Is there a particular committee or representative who is sponsoring this bill? Do they believe that this is a real public health concern? What meaningful data or research are they citing as evidence of this? What group collected/paid for the data and do they have an ulterior agenda? Is the threat demonstrable or is this just uncontrolled legislative sprawl?
It never fails to amaze me how much Connecticut acts to undermine its best interests.
I am writing my letter right now. I believe Stephen is correct - we should state why we drink raw milk. I get mine from Foxfire Farm: 90% grass-fed, which I have read and believe contains cancer-fighting chlorophyll of which only cattle and chickens can process for us. The conjugated lineolic acid (CLA) in raw milk also fight cancer. Also, of course it's not pastuerized or homogenized, both of which I desire not to take in. My health beliefs are mine, and the availability of raw milk to me is a very important right that I believe we all deserve.
Mike Feeney
Lebanon
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