If you’ve ever been in a restaurant or club patrolled by bouncers, you know the system of justice is uneven. If you somehow violate the club rules–maybe are a little unruly, or try to converse with the entertainers–the punishment usually varies according to where you stand in the club’s pecking order. If you know the club’s owner, you’ll be given a second chance, and a third chance. But if you don’t know anyone, and the club’s bouncer doesn’t like your attitude, or the way you’re dressed, or the sound of your voice, out you go, on your rear end.
Or it could be that the bouncer knows you, or knows of you, and doesn’t like your type, doesn’t approve of your choice of friends or cars…or food.
Bouncers, after all, are generally bullies, with some authority.
That’s kind of what it’s like in the world of food production and so-called food safety in these days of hyper-fear-mongering.
Consider two recent cases of producers who knew the bouncers’ boss.
Dole, the global fruit and veggie producer, just announced it is “voluntarily” recalling lots of bagged salad because the Ohio inspectors found listeria in one bag of the stuff. That’s it, just put out a recall notice and go about your business. Dole stays in the night club.
And the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced earlier this month that its inspectors (er, bouncers) have now on two occasions, last January and February, found listeria “from direct food-contact surfaces” in cookie-producing facilities at Kellogg, the worldwide producer of cereal and other foods.
The penalty in this situation? A slap on the wrist, if you want to call warning letters a slap on the wrist. It seems as if Kellogg has received two warning letters, and has had at least a couple of in-person meetings with FDA officials, and provided any number of cleanup plans. Just keep rocking and rolling.
Here’s what the FDA bouncers said to in their second warning letter to Kellogg: “In addition to the March 09, 2011, response discussed above and the Augusta Hygienic Reset document discussed above, we acknowledge receipt of your firm’s response letters dated February 23, 2011, and March 02, 2011. Furthermore, on March 03, 2011, management representatives from Kellogg met with representatives of the Atlanta District Office and provided an overview of the corrective actions outlined in the March 02 response letter. FDA officials again met with representatives from your firm on May 02, 2011, at FDA’s White Oak campus in Silver Spring, Maryland to discuss food safety issues, and actions your firm has taken since FDA’s inspection in February 2011. We have evaluated your written responses and will verify the adequacy and implementation of these steps during our next inspection.”
I ordinarily don’t dwell on the ongoing government minuteae of inspection, recall, and warning letters–there are any numbers of roving product liability law firms to bombard us with this info in their quest for new clients–but these two incidents stood out to me because both involved the presence of listeria monocytogenes in and around food…and both companies were allowed to go their merry ways.
For two other companies that didn’t know the bouncers’ bosses, or more likely, irritated the bouncers because of the kind of food they produce, life hasn’t been nearly as simple as it’s been for Dole and Kellogg.
Morningland Dairy had pretty much the same situation as Dole–listeria monocytogenes found in two samples of its product shipped to California last spring. Unfortunately, the bouncers didn’t allow the company to continue shipping and selling product after implementing a recall, as Dole can do. No, Morningland not only had to do the recall, but was ordered to destroy its entire inventory, representing essentially all its working capital.
When Morningland began asking questions, raising objections, well, the bouncers did the equivalent of breaking the owners’ arms, kicking them in the groin, and throwing them out into the street–that’s what the Missouri suit filed against the company represented.
Estrella Family Creamery in Washington had pretty much identical circumstances to Kellogg. Listeria monocytogenes found in the production facilities. But unlike Kellogg, Estrella wasn’t allowed to do endless back-and-forth. It improved on a second inspection, but that wasn’t good enough. When it tried to do what Kellogg has done–sell product to stay in business–boom, a court order shut it down.
I’m thinking the titles for the FDA inspectors and their state underlings should be changed, to something like “Bouncer 1”, “Bouncer 2” and so forth, till you reach the top of the bureaucratic pile: “Bouncer Supreme”. With the Food Safety Modernization Act taking effect, giving the FDA bouncers ever more authority, and food producers fewer options for court appeals, small producers will do well to avoid the bouncers.
***
In my previous post, I worried that the Wisconsin illnesses from unpasteurized commercial milk would at some point be used to denigrate raw milk. It didn’t take long–the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism just posted a long article about the raw milk debate that early on quotes individuals who became ill from the commercial milk served at a school function, and blames their misfortune on raw milk.
As predicted, the distinction between two types of milk–that intended to be served unpasteurized, and that destined for pasteurization–is lost. Indeed, the article eventually quotes a study from the 1990s saying that 25% of unpasteurized milk is contaminated, as if to suggest that all milk intended to be consumed unpasteurized is similarly contaminated.
Too bad, because otherwise it’s a thorough report on the conflict over raw milk that’s been raging in Wisconsin.
The failure of the Wisconsin article to draw the distinction between the two types of raw milks only proves the need for RAWMI, with a strong standard of identity and regular laboratory testing of "raw milk for the people."
The conspiracy theorists and free-for-all ideologues are really only playing into the hands of FDA and FOOD INC. Unless the raw milk movement can succeed at drawing a clear distinction between the two raw milks, attempts by the authorities to paint raw milk as an inherintly dangerous food that should be banned will continue to gain traction with broader audiences.
It is a mistake to think that regulations created by PMO proccessors, that allow for raw milk sales in some states, means that the milk is any different than PMO milk.
I thought RAWMI was still in the development phase. Are you saying that it's up and running and that it certified farms last year?
"It is a mistake to think that regulations created by PMO proccessors, that allow for raw milk sales in some states, means that the milk is any different than PMO milk."
Are you saying that the Wisconsin farmshares that came under fire a few years ago, most of whom also sold to processors, produced "substandard" raw milk?
Bill has mentioned Hitler many times in the recent past. Hitler used Ministers of Propaganda to further his agenda, and Bill is the Minister of Propaganda for RAWMI, here to further their agenda. Have you ever noticed that every time you turn around Bill says, "…and that's why we need RAWMI."? He's conned you into thinking that what he cares about is food safety and public acceptance, but he's just here to sell RAWMI to you and to distract you from asking real questions.
I'll go first.
When and where was RAWMI incorporated? How many states is RAWMI incorporated in? What is the corporation's legal name?
Who's on the RAWMI board? How were they selected?
Where does RAWMI receive it's funding from?
How many farms are currently certified by RAWMI, and what states are they in?
Does RAWMI utilize the National Standards for Raw Milk Production? When will they be available to the public?
Who is the legal counsel for RAWMI? How is RAWMI tied to FTCLDF? Is RAWMI's legal counsel designed to protect the RAWMI farmers or the RAWMI corporation?
Anyone here connected to RAWMI is welcome to answer, not just Bill.
As for these two — Barney Google and Lola Granola are either different pseudonyms for the same person, or are married to each other. Both names are comic-strip characters. Just a coincidence? Why won't they share their real names?
Dare I suggest that these two (or is it one?) are in a conspiracy with FDA and Big Dairy to maintain the status-quo around raw milk. They want raw milk to have a quiet death, as the family dairy farm is squeezed out of the market by the multinational corporations, and replaced with CAFOs.
I am here to tell you that we are not going to give up this fight quietly. The days of black-market dealing will be done with. RAWMI will help us seperate the wheat from the chaff (perhaps the reason Barney/Lola are so afraid of us?). We will forge ahead with creating a new standard of identity for raw milk, along with testing protocals and RAMP's to ensure safety.
Adapt or die. That is the imperative. I am glad to be at the forefront of embracing this bright new future for raw milk.
Then Bill says, "RAWMI has not started certifying farms yet."
So which is it, Bill? Which statement is the bold-faced lie?
You are reading way too much into it. Sorry for creating any confusion by my statement. I see now how it could be misinterpreted as suggesting there were RAWMI certified farms in 2010, but that was not what I was trying to say.
It is true that there were outbreaks in 2010 from legal raw milk, but these were not under RAWMI certification. They were from raw milk produced and sold legally under modified PMO standards. That was my only point. RAWMI certification will be much different than PMO standards.
Who are you and why do you conceal your identity? And who is Barney Google?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lola_Granola
The questions have been asked….and many of us would like to know the answers to them.
You seem to think that rawmi is the answer to everything, and those that question it are lunatics. you evade every direct inquiry, and when pressed on it, you break the old, why won't you write your real name (as we have realized before this is the last resort of the weak…or those who are afraid to answer direct questions)
Come on Bill. Why must there be secrecy about this. Can rawmi not stand alone in the light of day…or must you attempt to dictate the future of raw milk in the darkness. Come clean you dirty boy.
If you are hoping to gain consumer confidence (which RAWMI will need), you are not going to do it with BS rhetoric…you will no doubt note that there is no need or want for that in the direct farmer-consumer relationship, which in my opinion goes well above and beyond all that you have promised with RAWMI.
Kevin Gordon
"I am fully braced for lots of negative feedback from the work that RAWMI will do. I expect this and I look forward to it.
"I am also very happy to report that the list of dairies from Canada and the USA that wish to become RAWMI certified is growing every day. Consumers that have heard rumors of RAWMI…love it!!!
"Looking forward to RAWMI finally getting up and going….
"I invite all of the RAWMI naysayers to visit the facilities ( virtual at first ) and read the RAWMI policies prior to judging our farmer and consumer friendly program. Feed back is wanted and appreciated."
How about it Mark, would you like to field my questions about RAWMI ???
As someone who's agreed to be on RAWMI's board, my understanding is that it represents an initial early-stage effort at a raw milk association/standards-setting organization/sponsor of research. The emphasis is on "initial" and "early-stage." Suggest you calm down some, and let the story unfold further before getting so worked up about it. There are already plenty of institutional obstacles around (including the bias against nutritionally-dense foods presented by the regulators, per the double standard and overly aggressive enforcement we see regularly) that the RAWMI concept doesn't need to be shot down before it gets a chance to roll out.
David
How disappointing that you agree to run cover for Bill…and rawmi.
The rhetoric that we have been exposed to since the announcement of this new association has been off the chart. The villifying of those who have carried the raw milk torch to this pint has been excessive…and now we are led to believe that every outbreak that does occur (whether fabricated or not) is due to the fact that they haven't bought a subscription the the group.
I suggest that it is Bill that needs to 'calm down'.
The refusal to answer…for anyone to answer, speaks volumes….that this effort needs to be covert. For if the light really was shining on it the rest of us would see what it really is, an effort not to 'make raw milk safer', but a power grab by industrial raw milk producers to open the market to those who would enter it purely for financial reasons.
The questions are valid and appropriate….the concern by many in the raw milk community for what is transpiring is just…especially considering the statements and tenor that we've been hearing from the likes of Bill. Sad that you are complicit in this secrecy.
That it's been over 12 hours, and that we haven't been privileged to read at least 3 or 4 posts by Bill also speaks volumes. Maybe he's been told to cool it…or maybe he is waiting for direction on how to respond from Daddy Milkbucks….but the answers are critical for ALL in the raw milk community who have concerns. I especially want to know the relationship that the new group will have with the Legal Defense Fund…and the Foundation. Are they really going to turn their backs on the folks who brought them to the stature they have currently?
Transparency is important for trust to develop. Reading the various stories from all "sides" about all our foods and TPTBs attacks pushes me more and more to being as self sustaining as possible.
http://ex-skf.blogspot.com/2011/06/radiation-in-japan-government-wants-to.html
Govts poisoning the masses?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/27/french-ecoli-strain-germany_n_885018.html
Will this be spreading to the US soon?
Milk Farmer rightfully points out that there have been a number of disparaging comments made towards the folks who brought us safe, wholesome raw milk to begin with. (Black market? WTF?) These folks have been bringing us raw milk all along because it was the right thing to do, not for fame, or glory, or insane profits. I don't want to see these folks marginalized. I am curious to see if my farmer (an exceptional, honorable, world class dairy farmer) will be able or willing to meet RAWMI's requirements. I want to know if he thinks RAWMI's plan makes sense. Note to RAWMI: I go where my farmer goes.
You (RAWMI) guys are smart guys. You've been around, you've read what we've read and seen with your own eyes what we've seen. Can you not see that it is completely natural to be skeptical of "associations" and "institutions" that purport to solve all of the problems we have today? I understand some need for secrecy because there are real enemies of fresh milk, but I think you cannot afford to add members of this community to your list of enemies.
I'm also over folks using the phrase "conspiracy theorist" as a way of marginalizing others who comment here. If you've read five posts in a row on this blog, you can clearly see there is no theory about it. In fact, just read this blog post if you only have time for one!
As a RAWMI board member, can you tell me if RAWMI is associated with the National Standards that Tim Wightman is writing?
Thanks in advance.
For those who have been drinking, selling and sharing raw milk with friends, neighbors and relatives for decades this issue is fundamental. We are defending our freedom to choose the foods that we eat.
Ive seen similar grass route endeavors that eventually were taken over by government and bureaucratized. Two good examples in Ontario would be the Farm Business Registration and the Ontario Milk Marketing Board.
We are given the impression and may very well have a choice as to whether or not we wish to participate however in my experience that choice to participate will eventually be manipulated and those who chose not to participate will be marginalized.
Ken Conrad
I have no objections to you raising questions about RAWMI, and I think your concerns and suspicions are well grounded. There's been enough deviousness and backstabbing among agriculture groups and farmers in recent years to last a lifetime.
I don't have the answers to all your questions–for example, possible involvement of Tim Wightman, or of the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund. I just haven't had the time or inclination to check all that out. I've been involved in enough startup enterprises to know that you can't necessarily anticipate every eventuality or every question in advance. At some point, you have to get going, with the understanding you're going to work many things out on the fly. Some enterprises make it, and some don't. Some become doers of good, and others symbols of evil.
I agreed to become involved in RAWMI because I believe there needs to be some kind of organizational effort to educate farmers and consumers about the realities of safety and other issues in this crazy simmering caldron I often refer to as the raw dairy arena. There has been lots of talk in recent years about this organization or that, but RAWMI is the only national one I'm aware of that has gone beyond the talking stage. I think there's plenty of room for additional organizations. And it may be that RAWMI (and others) will be a bust, won't handle its mission responsibly, or will become power hungry and move too far beyond its mission. We'll have to confront those eventualities as they happen.
Also, I asked Bill Anderson to reduce his commentary because I thought he was becoming so dominant following recent posts as to inhibit other readers who might want to comment. He seems to have taken my suggestion.
I think the lively discussion about RAMI is fine, I just sense that some of the questions and accusations might be premature.
David
Op-Ed Columnist
Its Time to Learn From Frogs
By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
Published: June 27, 2009
"Apprehension is growing among many scientists that the cause of all this may be a class of chemicals called endocrine disruptors. They are very widely used in agriculture, industry and consumer products."
"The Environmental Protection Agency is moving toward screening endocrine disrupting chemicals, but at a glacial pace. For now, these chemicals continue to be widely used in agricultural pesticides and industrial compounds. Everybody is exposed."
Bacterial infections are the result of immune system disruption.By far agricultural chemicals,principally herbicides,are the most heavily used immune system disruptors that we encounter.It is past time to stop saturating our agricultural land with these chemicals.As long as industry and Agribiz can distract us by blaming these bacterial infections on bacterial contamination of food,nothing will change.A healthy immune system has no problem with these bacteria unless they are accompanied by a toxic chemical.Trying to prevent exposure to micro-organisms necessarily involves the use of toxic chemicals.We should be trying to prevent exposure to these toxic chemicals instead,but we have to recognize what the real cause of illness is first.
http://www.thecompletepatient.com/journal/2010/12/22/key-lesson-in-judges-ruling-against-michael-hartmann-dont-go.html?currentPage=4#comments
Last December we had this very same conversation regarding the National Standards. At that time RAWMI board members Mark, Bill and David denied any knowledge of the National Standards before finally having to admit they were being written; now we have RAWMI board members Mark, Bill and David not denying knowledge of RAWMI per se, but seemingly unable to tell us anything about the organization. The way that Mark has talked – "I am also very happy to report that the list of dairies from Canada and the USA that wish to become RAWMI certified is growing every day", and "I invite all of the RAWMI naysayers to visit the facilities (virtual at first)…" – I assumed RAWMI was in the final stages, not in the early planning stages that David now claims.
I'm sorry, David, but I don't believe you when you say you sit on the RAWMI board but don't really know anything about them. You don't know what RAWMI's mission statement is? You don't know if RAWMI is legally incorporated yet? You don't know if RAWMI has received any funding yet (i.e. USDA grant)? You don't know if Pete Kennedy or FTCLDF is acting as legal counsel?
As an organization, do you really not have ANYTHING you can tell us at this point? How did all these farmers join on to RAWMI as Mark said, if there's nothing at all anywhere to join on to?
With respect, RAWMI has been discussed and touted on this blog for months now. It is natural for people who have been producing raw milk without a net, as it were, to have some trepidation regarding standards imposed by a largely unknown board of "experts". When the statement is made that "RAWMI will help us seperate the wheat from the chaff" it sounds very authoritarian and threatening.
Mark and Bill have made the RAWMI roll-out sound imminent. Apparently this is not the case, since you say that it's still in a state of infancy. I think, therefore, that the Board should consider changing the name, as the obvious website for it is already taken.
I'd be surprised if the Fund and Foundation will take an official position on the new syndicate. It would tremendously unwise for them to encourage the commercialization and industrialization of raw milk….as most of their membership is small, local, direct to consumer farms (and consumers). Anyone with a clear eye can see that Ken is right, and despite claims to the contrary, those that don't join will be marginalized (if there is any doubt of that just read some of Bill's comments).
Sylvia had it right when she said that transparency is important for trust to develop. Given the rhetoric, secrecy, and silence, one must seriously question the trust that the new association is warranted. Do we really want the future of raw milk in the hands of one who establishes a market via outsourcing, then as a result of extra scrutiny because of an 'incident' acknowledges it, and then to fill that market goes out and buys a couple of hundred cows? That might make the investment bankers quiver with orgasmic glee (as they are flown around, surveying their 'investment'….. in a fuel efficient plane), but I'm not sure it's a behavior pattern we want when we crown a Raw Milk Czar.
My guess is that we'll hear less about rawmi….at least in the near future. The resistance is greater than envisioned, and they now realize that the wool cannot easily be pulled over peoples eyes.
I know there's been a lot of back and forth about RAWMI over the last few months, and I have to confess, I haven't paid real close attention to much of it. As I said, whenever a new organization starts up–profit or non-profit–there's always lots of hoopla from those closest to it. They want it to sound more real than it might be, to encourage enthusiasm in the marketplace so the new enterprise will have lots of support. I just figured that was the case with RAWMI, so I've tuned lots of it out (sorry, Mark, nothing personal).
So I looked up my emails about RAWMI's launch, and I found one from May 30 from Mark McAfee, listed as "Founding Director," and it starts out: "I am working really hard right now to create and complete the draft Raw Milk Institute content and RAWMI draft policies and bylaws for all of you to review and modify and or approve at our first telephonic conference call which is still a month or six weeks away. I will be submitting a package for all of you ( at least a week ahead of time ) to review and that way the meeting can be more efficient and I can get feedback for any serious changes that are needed."
None of the promised material has arrived yet. Once there are documents, and a date for a meeting, I'll take a look at everything and try to be prepared.
I'll just add that, as long as I'm involved with RAWMI, I will push for it to be a positive force. I will oppose bullying or exclusionary policies. And I would strongly oppose acceptance of any government grants or other such "benefits." I can't say a lot more because I don't know much more. Keep in mind that a director is not a manager or executive. A director's role is to help provide oversight. Up till now, there's been nothing to provide oversight for.
David
I don't have context for evaluating RAWMI or a few other things brought up. I agree there needs to be clarity and openness with any organization that wants to work with and FOR small local farms. I also think name calling of any sort and some of the rhetoric is out of place and out of hand coming both directions.
I do think that something like RAWMI does the opposite of demean the efforts of the small farms and people who have brought us to this point, since it stands for the culmination of many years of hard work to begin to bring back real local foods. And I think at this point something like RAWMI is much needed (I would prefer something far more local/regional in nature).
As a WAPF chapter leader, I have visited way too many real milk farms that honestly concern/scare me. I have even had some of my farmers visit other farms to offer advice/instruction/expertise, and they were also terrified. As real milk grows in popularity, there are some good/sincere people wanting to get into doing it who do not have a CLUE about what they are doing.
I would point out that RAWMI could be much like Underwriters Laboratory.
http://nutrition-and-physical-regeneration.com/blog/92/fda/what-keeps-us-safe/
I would much rather have an independent party that be at the feet of the state, and while I wish their was the third, liberty minded choice of no interference from anyone, that may not be possible in many states or areas.
Also, some of us want this kind of certification for our farms and the farms we want to support, or want to see it available because while romantic, the idea that every farm supporter can be intimately tied into the life of their farmers is a bit elitist. I want real food to be widely available to people who are in all sorts of circumstances and situations, not just those who have the time, money, etc. to personally drive to their farm multiple times per year. Geographic and other issues matter in this discussion.
many of our farmers are already doing these things and it also helps show that we care about safety far more than the corrupt agencies, officials, and regs that we now contend with.
And if RAWMI in any way seemed corrupt or unjust, you can be sure that the WAPF chapter leaders and others would work to kill it faster than an anaconda in a chicken coop.
I for one in my personal dealings with many of the people mentioned on this blog (which have been many over the past few months for various reasons) and with David have seen nothing but good, good hearts, and a willingness to learn and listen to others.
I don't know Bill, hopefully he will take some correction as many proper points were raised that he needs to heed, both in his rhetoric and his attitude, but he raises valid points the other direction. Hopefully all can listen and come together – we have far bigger concerns than each other ahead.
http://datcp.wi.gov/uploads/Food/pdf/WorkingGroupReport.pdf
Has there been any discussion on this forum about it?
Otherwise, you made some good points.
http://www.i-sis.org.uk/Genetic_Engineering_E_coli_Outbreak.php
From the above article the author states, Horizontal gene transfer and recombination is a major route to creating new pathogens and spreading drug and antibiotic resistance. There is nothing natural about artificial genetic engineering, which has greatly expanded the scope and accelerated the rate of horizontal gene transfer and recombination. Furthermore, E. coli is the primary bacterium used in genetic engineering. Many new genes and combinations of genes were created and amplified and propagated in E. coli, because the originalbacterium was harmless. In the process, genetic engineers have turned an original harmless bacterium into deadly pathogens. The problem is surely that even when you have killed the bacteria, the recombinant (genetic engineered) DNA survives, and can be transferred into living bacteria in the sewage, soil, and water to create new strains.
They have opened up Pandoras Box with their release of genetically engineered organisms into the environment. Attempting to solve our problems through testing, standards and regulations is a vain attempt to control an out of control situation and is about as useful as using a Band-Aid on a severed jugular.
Ken Conrad
http://www.vernalgroup.com/OPDC.html
to me it reeks of pathological narcissism……….(and I bet it'll be one helluva tax write off)
Seeing that only makes me doubt the intent of the RawMI venture even more. This is not the building of an organization that purports to offer training for farmers to produce the best raw milk….
Whatever Mark isn't, he's not stupid. His goal is to legitimize raw milk in the eyes of the general public, which in and of itself isn't necessarily a bad thing. Creating a 'shrine' to raw milk, having his raw milk museum, the 'processing plant' (bottling note the delivery truck around back), and maybe even an experimental lab all in the same building isn't a bad idea. Keep touring kids through there and you've changed the attitudes of the next generation (especially if you give out free samples…{i can feel MW cringe}).
My problem is with the rhetoric. The notion that raw milk production currently is dangerous, and that all raw milk producers are 'lacking' is bogus. This kind of party line, that only rawmi milk is good, and those who don't join are 'bad', is divisive and alienating. Something doesn't have to be bad to be improved upon. This new syndicate can be successful, and unifying, if respect is paid to those who have brought raw milk to the place it is today, and it can acknowledge that raw milk can be produced safely without 'joining'.
I hope that our discussions, especially the criticisms and barbs are effective in allowing the directors of the new group to see fully the repercussions their actions can have, and make it's creation and application more amenable to the entirety of the raw milk community. It shouldn't have to 'stand above' by stepping on the backs of the small producer. Personally I think that raw milk will be tarnished when taken mainstream. When it becomes just another commodity on the supermarket shelf, when it's produced in large industrial factory farms it will lose much of it's special potential for significant agricultural change… but those who have more 'working capital' quite often purchase the 'evolution' they want to see.
One thing is for sure…..the Future will be here before we know it.
The Surprisingly Colorful History of Milk
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2011/06/28/milk
(Thank you Milk Farmer and others for getting across the farmstead dairy concerns.)
Alaska investigating 4 cases of raw milk contamination
27.jun.11
http://www.barfblog.com/blog/149160/11/06/27/alaska-investigating-4-cases-raw-milk-contamination
KTUU reports the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is investigating four cases of people who became sick after drinking bacteria-contaminated raw milk from a Mat-Su Valley farm.
??According to DHSS spokesperson Greg Wilkinson, state law doesnt allow the sale of raw milk, but does permit owning shares of an animal to receive its milk — which doesnt have to be tested or pasteurized before its distributed.??
The four people infected with Campylobacter jejuni bacteria from May 7 through June 4 were Southcentral Alaska residents ranging in age from 1 to 81 years old. All four experienced severe stomach flu after drinking raw milk from one of the unnamed farms cows, and two said family members also experienced symptoms but did not seek medical attention.
http://www.ktuu.com/news/ktuu-state-investigates-raw-milk-bacteria-cases-062711,0,7072251.story
RAWMI is still under developement and no dairies are certified by RAWMI…although their are interested farmers that have called to get information.
We just sent off a $4000 dollar check to the RAWMI attorney so that the bylaws could be finallized. The RAWMI bylaws are fairly techinical and we want to get it right.
I am working as hard as I can to do this right and launch with a grounded and solid foundation underneith RAWMI.
I would like to report that our 4 Raw Milk Cats Cycling team… not only broke the worlds record for RAAM race across America…but they destroyed it for all female athelets of any age. Our Raw Milk Cats team is averaging 50 years old.
Here is what Dr. Cat Berge Says about the race and the finish:
The Raw Milk Cats, a 4 woman relay team set a world record in the worlds toughest endurance event: Race Across America!
Raw Milk Cats, sponsored by Organic Pastures, four women, Isabelle Drake, Lori Cherry, Jeanine Spence and Catharina Berge, between 44 and 58 years of age, beat most male and mixed teams and set a new world record! We biked across the USA, from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean in 6 days, 11 hours and 34 minutes, averaging 19,22 mph (31 km/h).
Did we think we could set an overall US transcontinental cycling record at the start? No, even our age group record of 17.1 mph (27 km/h) seemed like a tough target. We biked day and night, at every minute of the race one of us four girls was hammering as hard as she could. Every time we took our pulls on the bike, we biked for our team mates, our crew, our supporters, and Organic Pastures. When we got of our shifts, raw chocolate milk would refuel us.
Organic Pastures who has always set the bar higher than others and fought for healthy natural food from healthy animals in natural environments, inspired me to push faster and faster. Half way through the race my husband Marc messaged me forget about the 50+ record, you are going for the overall record! When muscles were screaming and lungs were burning, I pushed on: one for all, all for one!
Crossing the finish line, my crew chief plays the Swedish national anthem for me, and tears roll down my eyes, as I realize that I have given my team The Raw Milk Cats, my friends, my supporters and Organic Pastures a race of a lifetime and the message that No goals are too high to aspire if they are in your heart.
Cat, team leader for Raw Milk Cats
On a different subject…take this poll published by The Progressive Dairyman Magazine….this is the CAFO Dairy publication that asks for you to take their poll.
Take the poll which asks whether raw milk should be legalized in all 50 states. Shockingly….so far the poll says 98% yes…this is from big dairies and their families. Interesting!! Take Poll Now and put this to rest.
http://www.progressivedairy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=40:polls&layout=blog&Itemid=66
I have been super busy. In LA at the Farmagedon premier….in Nevada starting up the Nevadas first raw milk dairy…things are really going fast for raw milk. '
RAWMI is taking the right steps to do this right. RAWMI is going to be a very serious threat to to those that claim that RAWMILK IS RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH YOUR HEALTH…
RAWMI is dedicated to the proposition that their are definitely "Two Raw Milks in America".
RAWMI certified will protect the consumer and their farmer for human consumption raw milk and CAFO PMO FOOD INC stuff will be protected as they are today by the FDA and Marler.
The battle rages…but not really. This is an educational dollar voting grass roots nutritional civil rights uprising. When enough people vote with their food dollars….it is done.
Mark
As long as you can explain how RAWMI doesn't mean there are THREE raw milks in America…
I still think you should consider a different name for proper web access/ PR.
And speaking of the internet, how do "interested farmers that have called to get information" fare on their inquiries? Better than us, I hope?
BTW, we are busy too.
If we're not kept in the dark, we may just be an asset.
RAWMI is much grander.
I am sorry that I can not share details about RAWMI yet. All of the content needs to be approved by the directors prior to publishing and announcement.
All of the RAWMI standards and content is a program in evolution and changes as information is developed. This is pioneering work and I have full confidence in the Directors, the Executive Advisory Board, the Vision and the Mission.
To answer Kirsten, the internet and this blog spreads information very quickly. So any information regarding RAWMI was caught second hand. Farmers called me directly to discuss how to participate and the general concepts of RAWMI. There is no special access channel. I will openly and freely talk about RAWMI with anyone that is interested.
The Price Pottinger Nutritional Foundation ( PPNF ) of San Diego had one of their representatives come visit me and is writing a huge article about RAWMI for release about the time RAWMI boots up. When RAWMI becomes official….it is going to be a controlled stampede for consumers in Raw Milk Desert areas and Raw dairymen alike trying to get more information and how to get involed.
I can sense it already.
As far as Three Raw Milks in America….you are probably right. There will be "FDA, PMO CAFO untested raw milk for Pasteurization", "Underground Raw Milk"…..and "RAWMI Tested Safe Delicious RAMP program managed Raw Milk for Human Consumption".
Your pick….Your local RAWMI dairyman will have a profile at RAWMI website proudly showing every little detail of his program ( its performance ) and his dairy. He will be the one not wearing the Marler target on his back.
Mark
Mark
Really, I do hate certifications . . . . organic, grass, pasture, humane . . you name it there is a certification out there for all of them.
I am sick of it.
Come to our farm and see what we do . . . . that is my mantra . . . . and buy from me directly from my licensed store where I do sell weekly raw milk products from local farms (not only ours) who are licensed to sell raw milk:)
Get in your little turbo prop and fly to Maine and see how we do it here. No certifications needed and no outbreaks either:)
Kind regards,
Violet
http://www.kilbyridgefarmmaine.blogspot.com
If Bills tenor is any indication of the future….these clowns will jump at every outbreak to trash good hard working milk producers….just to enlarge their 'brand'.
The small local producer isn't the main threat to Big Dairy…. large commercial raw milk dairies…the ones that will competing for supermarket shelf space are. In a way this might be good…for maybe Marks new syndicate will actually garner much of the attention away from the little guys.
Then RAWMI has no teeth.
Kind regards,
Violet
http://www.kilbyridgefarmmaine.blogspot.com
Small , grass based, clean, local raw dairies are the future of raw milk . . . Mark's plan does not support this.
I want to see 1000's of small dairies crop up everywhere . . . . with as little as 1-5 cows.
Mark wants to just get big and compete with the mainstream porcessed organic dairies.
Kind regards,
Violet
I am focussed like a laser to assure that RAWMI launches well and your questions are addressed in the well thought out content of the RAWMI Mission and Vision. Bylaws, legalities, content, website development and initial standards all take some time. When I mentioned in December 2010 about the missing national raw milk standards, I was patiently awaiting word from Tim Wightman about National Raw Milk Standards. They never came.
I invited Tim to join RAWMI and he graciously declined. I understand Tims personal time constraints entirely.
RAWMI was born in the mid-spring of 2011. The lessons that brought RAWMI to life come from all of my travels and speaking about RAWMILK across the USA and Canada. I saw what Mike Schmidt had done first hand in Canada. What I saw time and time again was scattered tattered rules and regulations or no regulations at all. I saw consumers begging for delicious safe raw milk. I saw farmers doing a great job of producing raw milk and I saw farmers doing a horrible job of producing raw milk. I also saw that the FDA PMO NCIMS and CAFO FOOD Inc forces absolutley rejoicing in tne raw milk mess and lack of cohesion. I even saw Whole Foods Stores betray OPDC and Claravale and the Family Cow in Pennsylvania kicking us out of the store ( with Marlers help I might add ) becuase there were no national standards for raw milk and two kids had gotten sick from Retail Raw Milk in Conneticut.
The time had come to act and lead those that wanted a choice for responsible transparent standards to a better place and stop the madness. The FDA and the Food Safety Modernization Act was the Icing on the Raw Milk Chaos Cake.
I waited for others to act and in the abscence of action RAWMI was born.
I will do my best to have RAWMI website up by September 1st. That is my goal and my commitment. If I can do it faster I will. The content is not trivial….the bylaws and approval of the Directors is essential. RAWMI is a Team Effort…..We have much that we must consider prior to announcing the GUTS and Feathers of this effort.
Yes….the vision is very ambitious.
One of the greatest mistakes a person can make in his life….is to aim low for his goals.
RAWMI aims high. Yes…RAWMI will start out in a rental trailer and work like crazy to establish itself. Yes…RAWMI will hire a great team to achieve its mission.
Yes…the architectual design of the RAWMI Institute is ambituous.
We need the facilities in order to gain the respect of our country that has been steeped in horrid anti-raw milk dogma for 100 years. If RAWMI is going to invite all peoples, all governments, all Universities, yes….even the FDA to come visit and see how raw milk is done right….( even for the cow shares and two cow dairies ) then we will need to command a facility and a teaching institute to achieve this vision.
My goal is to nutritionally change America….we can do much better and I am damn committed to making this happen.
If the naysayers want to throw stones, tomatoes or what ever….I will not fear and or feel them. I am on a mission to connect to other people of like minded vision and provide delicious safe raw milk to all Americans and our next generation.
As for all of you that damn me or RAWMI…..feel free to do so. I will invite you first to join me in our grand opening. You damn me and RAWMI becuase you do not know what we are doing. I would be frustrated if I was looking from the outside in as well.
You forget who my father, grand father and great fathers were. You failed to do your dilligence. My father was one radical farmer, Cesar Chavez friend and dangerous anti-vietnam war activist. He feared little. My grandfather was a teacher and veteran of trench warfare in WW1. My great grandfather founded the First Presbyterian Church in Berkley CA.
I was a welder in a mine at 18 years old, a swift water techinical rescue paramedic on a helicopter, medical educator, Mission Pilot for LIGA flying doctors and the founder of the first organic raw dairy in CA. Connect the dots….I do not fear much either. I have Humanity, the truth, and great people standing with me. I also have the love and support of tens of thousands of raw milk consumers that need and also cheer on this vision.
Please just stand by….and please be patient. I do not give up and I do not dive into things with out truly considering the risks. I will try my best to make the September 1st 2011 RAWMI opening a reality. When RAWMI opens, I promise to post the link here first. David will have all the details as this process goes forward.
Remember that there are Two RAWMI boards. One is the Executive Advisory Board ( for feedback and comments and support ) and the other is the RAWMI Directors Board that run the non profit after considering the mission and all of the data and input.
September first…you have my commitment,
Mark
We will be marching with Scott D'Amboise who is for the small farmer in Maine. . . . and who is actually a real person and not a career politician who is running for Senate. We need 70 more men and women like him to run for the Senate . . . and 300+ who will run for Congress in 2012.
How many Senate candidates do you all know that would support small farms . . . . This is what I am talking about here.
Meet up time is noon on the 4th at our farm. All of those in the Northeast who are truly for food freedom and want to kick out an establishment candidate who supported S-510 are welcome. I don't care what party you belong to either:)
Kind regards,
Violet
http://www.kilbyridgefarmmaine.blogspot.com
Its Science, but Not Necessarily Right
Sure…you're fearless… big friggin deal.A healthy does of caution, with a dash of modesty usually allows for a better survival. When you lie, and try and tell people that every raw milk producer who doesn't agree with you….or your efforts…is a dirty underground black market producer….your not helping others build confidence and trust in what you plan to do. Your passion is undeniable….but it's also your biggest drawback. Keep it straight and truthful, and maybe, just maybe you'll be able to fool a majority of raw milk producers in this country….the small herdshares with less than 10 cows…. into believing that you indeed have their 'best' interest at heart. It's obvious to me (and others) that you don't….and what you plan to do will open the door to people who don't share your passion for raw milk (but do share your passion for profit) into the raw market.
August 1st is our first conference call and I will address all of the issues that have been brought forth here to the directors. The list of Directors and the Executive Advisory Board will be announced soon after the August 1st conference call.
All the best,
Mark
And if my memory serves me your father was also a double agent spying on Israel and Syria for the U.N, right? Please remind us, did he work for the CIA, Mossad or MI6?
Someone on this blog once told me that they hated the term stakeholders. As such, not surprising to watch your small group create standards without input from the stakeholders.
MW
I guess Billy Boy didn't get the message. If he can't get on his soapbox here, he'll find another venue for his RAWMI propaganda…
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/opinion/mailbag/article_d0e7a620-a116-11e0-b5d4-001cc4c002e0.html
Wonder if they'll be concerned about him 'intimidating' other posters over there. lol
Hey Mark….lets change the subject. Can you tell us about that dairy you are helping with in Nevada…how many hundreds of cows will it have….and how many thousands of gallons of groundwater will it need annually to irrigate the desert pasture?
By the way, my father joined a union at 16….and rode the subway for almost 50 years so he could make a living and support his family. While he had many friends, none of them were famous. He was happy with just enough, and was content with what he had. Greater man.
That's a very elaborate building you got there, how are these supposed members going to pay for this???
So many cents per gallon sold, so many dollars per hundredweight produced, either way it's another expense for the producer. This is just like the video I posted about the unions a week or two ago, where the establishment makes money off the sweat and hard labor of the serfs.
The way I see it you need us worse than we need you!!!
The line has already been drawn in the sand and every day that line is getting longer and the divide is getting wider.
http://www.vitalcommunities.org/articles/Article.cfm?ArtID=663
Mark, I would agree with your brother…placing ones children in danger because of ones beliefs is not right….. I'd be angry/saddened if my father did that too.
Teaching farmers and everyone else about safety is important. Making certain entities "mandatory" is not freedom. I buy from a farmer who doesn't use herbicides/pestisides, he is organic and has no certifications.
I've learned a lot on this blog. I've learned that my definition of organic is not the same as the governments or various companies. I've learned that the so called certified organic milk sold in stores is adulterated beyond pasteurization/homogenization and they have govt approval and expensive certifications….a piece of paper doesn't make something good nor true.
The government says they will be transparent, they are not, when things are shielded, it causes mistrust to grow. People have been lied to way too often. The word "organic" is a good example..the definition has changed so many times, it no longer has much meaning.
You cannot please everyone, alienating those who disagree is not the way to go either. When someone is alienated, they are closed to anything you have to say- no matter what it is. It is ok for there to be disagreements, it is not ok when people are put down for not agreeing. That puts you in the same category as the one who said it was russian roulette to drink raw milk.