Want to Learn About Nutrient Dense Foods?.

Dr. Weston A. Price

Over 60 years ago Dr. Weston A. Price foresaw the decline in modern industrialized food nutrients and the deleterious effects it would have on modern health.

He studied cultures the world over and discovered that ancient cultures using traditional foods were healthier than most modern diet Americans.

Ask our farmers about their favorite family recipes that involve fermented foods, slow cooked meats and cultured milk products.

 

RMAC Updates

May 10, 2010

Case Statement for Amending Raw Milk Statute

(Article 25-5.5-117  Raw milk)

 
In 2005, legislation was passed to permit consumer access to fluid raw milk that would legally be distributed through the Herd-Share Agreement, a contractual relationship between consumer and producer. This contract was based on the consumer’s “right to choose” and obtain a food product that is otherwise not available through the conventional food system. The raw milk statute limits the distribution of fluid raw milk directly from producer to consumer and may not be sold in a retail establishment.

 Following the 2005 legislation, raw milk producers with the guidance of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union organized to form the Raw Milk Association of Colorado (RMAC), an alliance of consumers and raw milk producers. The founding mission of RMAC was to create a self-regulated organization that establishes accountability for member producers and defines standards for safe raw milk production and distribution. Today there are 55 member dairies and recently RMAC has set forth a “Seal of Excellence” that establishes a testing protocol and bacterial limits for product distribution.

 In the past several years, the demand for raw milk has grown exponentially; RMAC estimates there are over 15,000 consumers of raw milk in Colorado. Herd-share owners have increasingly requested producers offer customized raw milk products such as cream, butter, yogurt, cottage cheese and soft cheeses. A service agreement has been designed to give shareholders a means to authorize the dairy operator to provide these hand-crafted farmstead products.

 The Raw Milk Statute stands silent on these customized raw milk products and consumers and producers seek legislative clarification that would ensure access to these foods. The shareholders stand on their “right to choose” as owners through the herd share contract. An amendment to the current Raw Milk Statute would accomplish the following:

 

1.      Extend dairy shareholders rights to contract services from their farmer in order to create artisan farmstead dairy products from owner’s existing milk share, including but not limited to curds, whey, buttermilk, yogurt, butter, cream, cream cheese, crème fraiche, hard and soft cheeses, ice cream, kefir, ghee, and cottage cheese.

 

2.      Support the economic viability, opportunity, and diversity of Colorado’s small family farms through the extension of customized dairy processing services listed above.

 

Case for Support

Clarify existing statute

  • Statute provides ownership of raw milk but lacks language regarding artisanal farmstead dairy products.
  • Herd-share boarding contract pays farmer for dairy boarding services
  • Amend the statute to specifically allow the sale of customized dairy processing services.  These services allow consumers to have access to artisanal, farmstead products made with their milk.

Access to Healthy Foods

  • Consumers want natural, unprocessed foods from their farmer
  • Artisanal farmstead products are not available in the retail market.
  • Pasture-based dairies offering additive-free products are difficult to find.
  • Consumers lack expertise, equipment, and/or time to culture their milk at home.

 

Safety

  • The CDC has data on illness attributed to raw milk and raw soft cheeses, but none for butter, yogurt, cream or other fermented raw milk products.
  • No added risk in artisanal farmstead products: lactic acid producing bacteria create low pH, inhibiting growth of harmful bacteria.
  • The Raw Milk Association of Colorado established raw milk production standards in 2007 and developed a testing protocol in 2008 with an independent lab. Two years of  test data have never detected pathogens from any RMAC dairies.
  • Small, pasture-based dairies with distribution to herd-share owners limits public exposure; this amendment serves only the existing consumers who already drink raw milk.

 

Economic Impact

  • Improves economic viability of small family farms
  • Adds an estimated 20-30% increase to farm income
  • Increases job opportunities in rural areas of Colorado
  • Implementation at no cost to taxpayers

  

Submitted by: Raw Milk Association of Colorado

Contact:

David Lynch, President farmerlynch@msn.com 719-966-2237 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              719-966-2237      end_of_the_skype_highlighting; 719-395-5814 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              719-395-5814      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Blair McMorran, Executive Director info@rawmilkcolorado.org 720-985-5842 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              720-985-5842      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/alfalfa_locations_list.shtml

Genetically Engineered Alfalfa (Roundup Ready Alfalfa, or RR Alfalfa for short) is being grown in the the following Colorado counties:  Fields nearby will most likely end up propagating this strain, as cross-pollination occurs; as well as getting hit by air-born herbicides (Roundup). 

   
COLORADO

ADAMS

ALAMOSA

BACA

BENT

CHEYENNE

CONEJOS

COSTILLA

DELTA

DOLORES

DOUGLAS

EAGLE

EL PASO

KIT CARSON

LA PLATA

LARIMER

LOGAN

MESA

MONTEZUMA

MONTROSE

MORGAN

OTERO

PROWERS

PUEBLO

RIO GRANDE

SAGUACHE

SEDGWICK

WASHINGTON

WELD

YUMA

***** FIVE STARS ***** 

to RMAC's Herd:

Since RMAC began milk tests in April 2008, no pathogens have been found - not one!

Thank you RMAC producers, for a stellar job!