CDFA’s Stephen Beam: “I’m No Darth Vader,” and Besides AB 1735 Is Working Well, Thank You
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 03:36PM 
I didn’t mean to suggest, with my little photo shoot experience Sunday involving FDA milk czar John Sheehan, that all the regulators at the National Council for Interstate Milk Shipments conference were, shall we say, difficult. I suspect the FDA reps were in a class by themselves, likely under some kind of blanket order to avoid the media and other “enemies.”
I met a number of state dairy regulators, and found most of them to be quite cordial. For example, there was Lewis Jones, head of the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s dairy division (pictured above), who came up to me after Mark McAfee of Organic Pastures Dairy Co. had testified Sunday morning, and asked if I remembered him. Of course, I had quoted him in a BusinessWeek.com article I had written in 2006 about Ohio being one of the most anti-raw-milk states in the country.
Jones told me that the state court decision in late 2006 that had put a halt to Ohio’s efforts to prosecute herd shares had led to lots of herd shares springing up around Ohio. He said he had no idea how many herd shares were operating in Ohio, but that the number had to be at least a couple dozen.
Tom Leitzke, head of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, said after Mark McAfee’s presentation, “He did a great job of expressing his position. I do appreciate it when people are willing to come in and have a dialogue.”
Perhaps my most interesting meeting was a chance encounter with Stephen Beam, chief of milk and dairy food safety for the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Beam, of course, is the author of AB 1735. A tall boyish-looking fellow, Beam was cordial and pleasant. He knew about this blog, though seemed intent to suggest he doesn’t actively read it. “People send it to me sometimes,” he said
He had a definite message for readers here: “I’m not the Darth Vader many on your blog seem to think I am,” he said. “We are not against raw milk in California. We have never been against raw milk in California.”
He admitted he began drafting the ten-coliform-per-milliliter standard almost immediately after the illnesses of six California children blamed by public health authorities on raw milk in September 2006. But the reasoning behind the coliform standard was entirely based on public safety: “We want the milk to be available, but we want it to be clean and safe.”
When he complained about the virulence of some of the anti-CDFA messages during the height of the debate over replacing AB 1735 with something else, beginning in late 2007 and continuing until Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed SB 201 last September, I reminded him that CDFA had adamantly avoided testifying in hearings held in the California Senate a year ago. He blamed lawyers advising the CDFA, who were afraid of commenting while the two raw dairies had litigation pending. “Some of the things that were said about me by some of your readers were pretty harsh,” he said.
The California AB 1735 story is one with a happy ending, he argued. “Look what’s happened,” he said. California’s two raw dairies are still in business, there have been no illnesses, and, “People have their milk.”
Well meaning people can argue about whether all the agonizing was worth it, but I give Beam credit for being upfront about reliving the issue.
Reader Comments (12)
Not that I don't want to hear what he has to say but it doesn't sound all that upfront. Not exactly the happy ending that Beam is beaming about.
Chris L.
I think it’s important that you and others understand one point. Mark is pretty unique when it comes to raw milk farmers, and while many do share his intense passion for the wonder that it is, he is hardly representative of the majority. Most raw milk farmers I know are humble folk, quiet, respectful, down to the earth kind of people. They are not trying to change the world, or convert the masses to raw milk. Most are content to milk a few dozen cows, and just make a living, just providing raw milk to those who want it. Thousands of acres and hundreds of head of cattle are not on their agenda. Few gallivant around the country, after all it’s pretty hard to be there twice a day, 7 days a week, if you’re flying in airplanes (most I know usually milk the cows themselves). Investment bankers, FDA lawsuits, hanging with the governor, entering the Lions Den, are not things that most raw milk farmers would find attractive.
All this said, the truth about raw milk can be told by anyone….at least anyone who drinks it…. And while Mark definitely has a place at the front of the movement, that he is a messiah, being blindly followed is bunk. Again you attempt to discredit all raw milk aficionados by the actions of a single one. It’s just as hard, when you do this, to take YOU seriously.
Mark’s got kahunas for going to the conference, and attempting to ‘legalize’ interstate shipments of raw milk…the fruition of his business plan dictates it. His perceptions at the conference are important though, and the message he carried to the ‘opposition’ is vital. His perspective, treatment and impressions from the conference are critical for all raw milkees to understand. It’s what we’re all up against.
They won’t be able to keep a lid on it much longer…..and they know it.
"ODA appeals raw milk ruling by Washington County Judge"
http://www.mariettaregister.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=972&Itemid=1
I wait your proposed draft language for the "first drink" protocol for the uninitiated immune depressed new raw milk drinker.
Mark
Permit me to be a little entertaining hopefully. You cast Mark McAffe as our Raw Milk Messiah, perhaps that is so, but that also means that there are many anti -raw milk messiahs and false raw milk prophets and who might they be? Is it the one who says "Drinking raw milk is like playing Russian roulette with your health"? Or is it I who say "Drinking boiled milk produced by sick filthy cows from approved confinement dairies is like playing Russian roulette with your health but with a fully loaded gun"? I have many wounds and bullet holes in my body as a result of the SAD placed on my dinner table by the TPTB, but they are healing since I rejected the false food gospel they preach. I reject the food wolves dressed in white lab. coats carrying their charts, graphs and studies that tell me sterile toxic laden food is good and safe to eat.
I am trusting my health to the 8th grade "educated" farmers that produce the food that IMHO saved my life. These farmers are the most intelligent, brave human beings I have ever encountered. Yeah---they have cow manure on their shoes, trousers and under their finger nails and sometimes they don't smell so good from all their HARD WORK, but it is a blessing to be able to shake their hands and give them a hug. These guys live and produce in the REAL WORLD--not like the bubble boys in white coats preaching false food doctrines.
The SAD is an illusion and produces pain, suffering and even loss of freedom. Since I have repented {rejected the SAD} and been baptized by consuming raw dairy, I have been physically saved{for awhile at least}.
Keep fighting the good fight Mark---we are goiing to win in the end---for the truth is our aegis and our banner and messiah.
I'll go out on a limb here and agree with hb.
Based on certain phrases used repeatedly and uniquely, I think CP is very close to a certain former plaintiff who agenda is now complete. Therefore you'll have to look elsewhere for your "first glass" protocol - hopefully with solid science. There are some studies that measured types and amounts of digestive bacterial cells from different cultures and continents. Perhaps they could be used as a model?
As for Mr. Beam, please remember that Darth Vader was just a country bumpkin that took the wrong path in life. The true evil was embodied by the Emperor and his far-reaching web of darkness and deceit.
http://wholefoodusa.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/swat-team-raid-on-homeschool-and-food-and-health-ministry-for-hungry-families/
Photos: Ohio Raw Milk Conference
Posted: 21 Apr 2009 05:41 PM PDT
SWAT Team Raid on Homeschool and Food/Health Ministry for Hungry Families
Posted: 21 Apr 2009 08:15 AM PDT
If a dozen or more terrorists held two women, 10 children, toddlers and a baby hostage for six hours, the event would be on television nationwide and on the front pages of newspapers the next day. I suppose it would not mean so much to me if the victims were not my friends, as if they [...]
Chris L.
You make very good points, which led me think about the fact that probably most in the "anti-raw milk" crowd have never been to a raw dairy farm. Unless someone is an inspector with the state or county and has first-hand experience with a local raw dairy, most of what is portrayed comes from images in the media, which Mark dominates. Among those images are numerous quotes about the enormous amount of money he makes being a raw milk producer. Also, the misquotes about outbreaks seem too frequent to be oversights. For example, saying patients ate Dole spinach in 2006 when they didn't, or saying a patient was on chemotherapy when they were not...
I am out West where things tend to be bigger, so maybe the raw milk image is different in other parts of the country.
At least Mark is producing a real product that informed people are willing to pay a premium price to obtain. That can not be said of Wall Street and the big banks they produce no product they merely shuffle worthless papers make enormous profits and when the numbers dont add up the simple claim welfare benefits [IOUs] which are promptly confiscated from future generations all legal and no one is ashamed!
I dont think history will point the finger at Mark for making a profit but what will it say of the moneychangers that have rendered our nation insolvent? Insolvent to strong a word? Do the 6th grade math Americas mortage is due and we cant pay it [with real money] is forclosure in our future?
KUDOS to Mark and all the raw dairy farmers that are able to sell their product above cost and make a profit didn't that use to be the American way?
Lykke no offense intended just some food for thought.
Agree, there is nothing wrong with making a profit - even better if it is pursuing sustainable agriculture. What I found callous and offensive were some statements to the press suggesting that "outbreaks and recalls" help advertise the raw milk products and bring in more customers. That lack of concern about illnesses (even if just a few and even if the company doesn't believe it was caused by their product) is disturbing. Can you imagine a Cargill or PCA executive say that?
New Farmers Alliance Champions Raw Milk
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/x1092980020/New-farmers-alliance-champions-raw-milk
Connecticut Alliance for Raw and Farmstead Dairy Products formed last week first order of business is as a watch dog to ensure the anti-raw dairy bill killed recently will not be secretly placed on another bill as an amendment. It also advocates working with regulatory agencies and developing scientifically based manual of best management practices. We will see who comes the table in Connecticut.