UPDATE ON RAW MILK SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA

Your Donations Needed to Support Legal Action

The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund has agreed to research legal options to
overturn AB 1735, a new California law that mandates standards so stringent that
raw milk dairies would not be able to comply on a consistent basis. By
eliminating the major producers of raw milk in California and sending a clear
message to legislators in other states, this law will adversely affect the
availability of raw milk throughout the country.

BACKGROUND
The law, signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger on October 8 and scheduled to take effect
January 1, imposes a strict limit of 10 coliform bacteria per milliliter in
tests taken at the point of sale. All other states with the coliform limit of
ten for retail raw milk test at the bulk tank. Since coliform bacteria rapidly
divide and multiply whenever milk is sent through pipes, the new law will mean
an end to raw milk sales in California.

Neither Organic Pastures Dairy nor Claravale Dairy, the two licensed raw milk
dairies in California, were notified of hearings on the bill. Spokesmen for
both dairies have expressed opposition to the legislation, which they
characterize as a "sneak attack" on raw milk.

Most coliform bacteria are not pathogens but essential probiotic good bacteria.
Both dairies have a superlative safety record. Claravale has been supplying raw
milk to the public without incident for over 80 years; over 1300 tests carried
out at Organic Pastures since its founding in 1999 have failed to find a single
human pathogen.

ACTION PLAN

Spearheaded by Mark McAfee, president of Organic Pastures Dairy, consumers are
engaged in opposition to the legislation on three fronts

1. Negotiations with the California Department of Farms and Agriculture and the
governor to overturn the legislation

2. Lobbying and letter writing on the part of consumers

3. Research into legal avenues to stop AB1735 in the courts.

ACTION TO TAKE

1. Send your donations to the Farm-to-Consumer Foundation, a Section 501(c)(3)
non-profit organization whose mission statement and purpose is, in part, to help
save the nation's family farms by protecting the constitutional right of farmers
to provide their unprocessed and processed farm foods directly to consumers
through any legal means. If everyone receiving this email would donate just $25
to the Farm-to-Consumer Foundation, we'd have the funds needed to mount a
powerful campaign. By donating to the Foundation, you will contribute to the
AB1735 Revolt and ensure that your right to raw milk and raw milk products is
protected. Go to

https://www.ptfassociates.com/secure/ftcldf/ftcfdonation_ab.asp

to make your tax-deductible donation. You may also send a check to

Farm-to-Consumer Foundation
AB1735 Legal Defense Campaign
8116 Arlington Blvd., Suite 263,
Falls Church, VA 22042

California stores that carry raw milk have said they will add to the kitty as
well. The goal is to raise about $35,000 dollars in the next few weeks to fund
very aggressive legal protection actions to stop AB 1735 via court proceedings
and subsequent litigation. Your donations can also help expose the parties that
performed this quiet and surgical sneak attack on your rights to eat the foods
of your choosing.

2. Keep those letters coming to legislators and the governor of California.
For contact information and sample letters, go to

http://organicpastures.com/contact_lawmakers.html.

Thank you for your help in keeping raw milk alive in California!