----- Original Message -----

From: Troy Johnson

To: WAPFOKCentral@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 1:58 PM

Subject: RE: [WAPFOKCentral] Re: Chickens

 

I would like to know about turkeys too. Could you add me to your chix list too, please? Thanks. Sarah --- On Mon, 10/26/09, kathy gibb <gibbkathy@hotmail.com> wrote: From: kathy gibb <gibbkathy@hotmail.com> Subject: RE: [WAPFOKCentral] Re: Chickens To: wapfokcentral@yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, October 26, 2009, 12:14 PM   They are waiting on a permit to process, turkeys ( I believe 1 turk= 4 chix); I will let you know any news about that, I have added you to my chix list! kathy To: WAPFOKCentral@ yahoogroups. com From: lynnekanary@ yahoo.com Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:01:45 -0700 Subject: Re: [WAPFOKCentral] Re: Chickens   Kathy, I just found this email - don't usually use this email address.  However, if there's going to be a delivery in OKC area again (I'm especially interested in turkeys), please let me know.  Please send to:  bobkanary@sbcglobal .net Thanks, Lynne Kanary --- On Mon, 10/12/09, gibbkathy <gibbkathy@hotmail. com> wrote: From: gibbkathy <gibbkathy@hotmail. com> Subject: [WAPFOKCentral] Re: Chickens To: WAPFOKCentral@ yahoogroups. com Date: Monday, October 12, 2009, 5:25 PM   Here is the letter I got today about the new, chicken facility.. If anyone knows a small poultry farmer who wants miore info let me know as I just got a phone number.. here is the e-mail: I also want to take this opportunity to tell you a little about the processor and about what to expect for those of you that haven't been able to try these birds before. We've had lots of questions, so I'm going to try to sum them up below: · The birds are dressed, frozen, and vacuum-packed whole chickens weighing 7-9 lbs each (roasters). No kidding, they are *big*. And no kidding, they are $5 each. The processor can do about 500 - 700 birds/day, and all of the processing and packaging is done under USDA on-site inspection. The birds are processed and packaged by hand, start to finish. Unlike industrial plants, no chlorine is used in the processing of the birds. No salt is added to the birds, either. They have applied to USDA to be able to label their birds as "all natural" and "open range." · These birds are raised by the processor at a rural location a few miles from the plant. The birds are "loose housed" -- the processor receives chicks at one day of age, and raises them in conventional houses at about 60% of the density of the typical industrial operation. Once the chicks have feathered out, the doors to the houses are opened during the day, and the birds are free to range until nightfall, when they are closed up during the night. They are fed a vegetarian ration that is mixed locally, and are not given hormones (illegal to give to poultry) or antibiotics. I got the chance to visit the farm and plant a few weeks ago, and I saw well-cared for, relaxed, and healthy birds. · This processor is committed to supporting independent Oklahoma poultry farmers. They will process birds with no minimum for $1.50/bird. They will sell day-old chicks to producers for the same cost that they pay for them. They are also working to be certified to process turkeys. Any producer who wishes to set up a processing time or purchase chicks can call the plant at 918-207-0565. · This processor is unique in that they are a non-profit foundation. The DARP Foundation is a faith-based drug and alcohol recovery program, and they have built this plant to help support the work of the foundation and to support the recovery process for their participants. For payment at the pickup site, make checks payable to 'DARP Foundation' (cash works, too!). This all started with an e-mail that Harlan Hentges sent to the Oklahoma Sustainability Network list the first Friday in October, seeking help for a new poultry processing operation that was facing a cash flow crunch. By the following Monday, we had orders for over 1000 birds! Since so many folks didn't get birds the first time around, we decided to do this again. As a reminder, we haven't had an inspected processor in Oklahoma that would work for small producers in more than a decade. The only processors in our state belong to Tyson or Simmons or another of the 'big boys.' Some Oklahoma farmers take their birds to Arkansas or Texas to be processed, but now, we truly have an opportunity to support an Oklahoma processor and eat some good Oklahoma birds :) Please submit your orders to Kristin no later than close of business Monday (5 pm), Oct 19th. The original e-mail still has a life of its own, folks are still sharing this information, and orders are coming in at an amazing rate! By next Wednesday, with the two deliveries combined, I believe we will hit our original goal of 4000 birds! This is an amazing achievement, and y'all are truly appreciated for your commitment to local, sustainable agriculture in Oklahoma. Order soon: this may be the last OKC delivery of these birds direct from the processor for 2009. Windows 7: It helps you do more. Explore Windows 7.

---

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.423 / Virus Database: 270.14.32/2460 - Release Date: 10/26/09 08:10:00

Here is the letter I got today about the new, chicken facility..
If anyone knows a small poultry farmer who wants miore info let me know as I
just got a phone number..
here is the e-mail:

I also want to take this opportunity to tell you a little about the processor
and about what to expect for those of you that haven't been able to try these
birds before. We've had lots of questions, so I'm going to try to sum them up
below:

·       The birds are dressed, frozen, and vacuum-packed whole chickens
weighing 7-9 lbs each (roasters). No kidding, they are *big*. And no kidding,
they are $5 each. The processor can do about 500 - 700 birds/day, and all of the
processing and packaging is done under USDA on-site inspection. The birds are
processed and packaged by hand, start to finish. Unlike industrial plants, no
chlorine is used in the processing of the birds. No salt is added to the birds,
either. They have applied to USDA to be able to label their birds as "all
natural" and "open range."

·       These birds are raised by the processor at a rural location a few miles
from the plant. The birds are "loose housed" -- the processor receives chicks at
one day of age, and raises them in conventional houses at about 60% of the
density of the typical industrial operation. Once the chicks have feathered out,
the doors to the houses are opened during the day, and the birds are free to
range until nightfall, when they are closed up during the night. They are fed a
vegetarian ration that is mixed locally, and are not given hormones (illegal to
give to poultry) or antibiotics. I got the chance to visit the farm and plant a
few weeks ago, and I saw well-cared for, relaxed, and healthy birds.

·       This processor is committed to supporting independent Oklahoma poultry
farmers. They will process birds with no minimum for $1.50/bird. They will sell
day-old chicks to producers for the same cost that they pay for them. They are
also working to be certified to process turkeys. Any producer who wishes to set
up a processing time or purchase chicks can call the plant at 918-207-0565.

·       This processor is unique in that they are a non-profit foundation. The
DARP Foundation is a faith-based drug and alcohol recovery program, and they
have built this plant to help support the work of the foundation and to support
the recovery process for their participants. For payment at the pickup site,
make checks payable to 'DARP Foundation' (cash works, too!).

This all started with an e-mail that Harlan Hentges sent to the Oklahoma
Sustainability Network list the first Friday in October, seeking help for a new
poultry processing operation that was facing a cash flow crunch. By the
following Monday, we had orders for over 1000 birds! Since so many folks didn't
get birds the first time around, we decided to do this again. As a reminder, we
haven't had an inspected processor in Oklahoma that would work for small
producers in more than a decade. The only processors in our state belong to
Tyson or Simmons or another of the 'big boys.' Some Oklahoma farmers take their
birds to Arkansas or Texas to be processed, but now, we truly have an
opportunity to support an Oklahoma processor and eat some good Oklahoma birds :)



Please submit your orders to Kristin no later than close of business Monday (5
pm), Oct 19th. The original e-mail still has a life of its own, folks are still
sharing this information, and orders are coming in at an amazing rate! By next
Wednesday, with the two deliveries combined, I believe we will hit our original
goal of 4000 birds! This is an amazing achievement, and y'all are truly
appreciated for your commitment to local, sustainable agriculture in Oklahoma.
Order soon: this may be the last OKC delivery of these birds direct from the
processor for 2009.

http://oklavore.com/
  this is not a link for ordering, I just included it as it lets you know what's
going on. I have never seen the oklavore site before, but I will check it from
now on..the  contact for ordering birds is the e-mail address in the letter
below.
  I had no idea there was a small processor opening up in OK .. we really need
one so these small bird growers can make a living- there are plenty of the "big
boys" around but they all have a minimum daily amount of birds they will process
in a day, like 2,000 for average..they are geared to the big commercial chicken
houses and they really shuts out our small farmers..
kathy

--- In WAPFOKCentral@yahoogroups.com, "Stephanie Nichols"
<stephanie.nichols@...> wrote:
>
> The link didn't work. Can you re-try?
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: gibbkathy
>   To: WAPFOKCentral@yahoogroups.com
>   Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2009 2:03 PM
>   Subject: [WAPFOKCentral] Chickens
>
>
>     We have a new USDA processing facility in OK for the small poultry
farmers..http://oklavore.com/
>   I wish I had known about this last week to post but I got the ordering
e-mail second hand yesterday, here it is :
>   we need to support these people!
>   kathy
>   Folks,
>
>   You may remember the e-mail I posted a few weeks ago about a new poultry
>   processor in NE Oklahoma just starting up. Today, I am pleased to announce
>   that they have their USDA certification and they are busy processing birds
>   under inspection. Hallelujah!
>
>   This processor also raises birds a few miles from the processing location
>   north of Tahlequah. These birds are housed at a much lower density than
>   current industrialized standards. They are free to range during the daylight
>   hours and are fed a completely vegetarian ration with no hormones or
>   antibiotics added. I've seen these birds, and they seem healthy, calm, and
>   stress-free. The resulting dressed product weighs about 7-9 lbs and *tastes
>   wonderful*. This processor is committed to providing processing services to
>   sustainable Oklahoma farmers and to providing affordable products to rural
>   residents of our state. However, they face a short-term cash flow crunch and
>   are very much in need of our help. How? By buying chicken! These birds are
>   being offered at $5 for a 7-9 lb roaster. We are in the process of setting
>   up one-time deliveries to Oklahoma City and Tulsa for next week. The Tulsa
>   delivery will be Wednesday, OKC is still TBD. If you want to support local
>   food, farming and processing, check your freezer space and come buy some
>   birds. Buy some for your family and neighbors. Buy some and donate them to
>   your local food bank!
>
>   Please send an e-mail to osborn.nancy@... with your name, phone
>   number, location, and number of birds you'd like to buy. If we can buy about
>   4000 birds in the next week, they can get through this crunch. If you have
>   restaurant or institutional contacts who might like a large lot of roasters,
>   please talk to them and send them our way. You have an opportunity to make a
>   real, long-term difference in the face of local food next week--just by
>   buying some chicken!
>
>   Thanks,
>
>   Harlan
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>   No virus found in this incoming message.
>   Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>   Version: 8.5.421 / Virus Database: 270.14.7/2422 - Release Date: 10/08/09
06:39:00
>

----- Original Message -----

From: gibbkathy

To: WAPFOKCentral@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2009 2:03 PM

Subject: [WAPFOKCentral] Chickens

 

We have a new USDA processing facility in OK for the small poultry farmers..http://oklavore.com/
I wish I had known about this last week to post but I got the ordering e-mail second hand yesterday, here it is :
we need to support these people!
kathy
Folks,

You may remember the e-mail I posted a few weeks ago about a new poultry
processor in NE Oklahoma just starting up. Today, I am pleased to announce
that they have their USDA certification and they are busy processing birds
under inspection. Hallelujah!

This processor also raises birds a few miles from the processing location
north of Tahlequah. These birds are housed at a much lower density than
current industrialized standards. They are free to range during the daylight
hours and are fed a completely vegetarian ration with no hormones or
antibiotics added. I've seen these birds, and they seem healthy, calm, and
stress-free. The resulting dressed product weighs about 7-9 lbs and *tastes
wonderful*. This processor is committed to providing processing services to
sustainable Oklahoma farmers and to providing affordable products to rural
residents of our state. However, they face a short-term cash flow crunch and
are very much in need of our help. How? By buying chicken! These birds are
being offered at $5 for a 7-9 lb roaster. We are in the process of setting
up one-time deliveries to Oklahoma City and Tulsa for next week. The Tulsa
delivery will be Wednesday, OKC is still TBD. If you want to support local
food, farming and processing, check your freezer space and come buy some
birds. Buy some for your family and neighbors. Buy some and donate them to
your local food bank!

Please send an e-mail to osborn.nancy@gmail.com with your name, phone
number, location, and number of birds you'd like to buy. If we can buy about
4000 birds in the next week, they can get through this crunch. If you have
restaurant or institutional contacts who might like a large lot of roasters,
please talk to them and send them our way. You have an opportunity to make a
real, long-term difference in the face of local food next week--just by
buying some chicken!

Thanks,

Harlan

---

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.421 / Virus Database: 270.14.7/2422 - Release Date: 10/08/09 06:39:00

We have a new USDA processing facility in OK for the small poultry
farmers..http://oklavore.com/
  I wish I had known about this last week to post but I got the ordering e-mail
second hand yesterday, here it is :
  we need to support these people!
  kathy
Folks,

You may remember the e-mail I posted a few weeks ago about a new poultry
processor in NE Oklahoma just starting up. Today, I am pleased to announce
that they have their USDA certification and they are busy processing birds
under inspection. Hallelujah!

This processor also raises birds a few miles from the processing location
north of Tahlequah. These birds are housed at a much lower density than
current industrialized standards. They are free to range during the daylight
hours and are fed a completely vegetarian ration with no hormones or
antibiotics added. I've seen these birds, and they seem healthy, calm, and
stress-free. The resulting dressed product weighs about 7-9 lbs and *tastes
wonderful*. This processor is committed to providing processing services to
sustainable Oklahoma farmers and to providing affordable products to rural
residents of our state. However, they face a short-term cash flow crunch and
are very much in need of our help. How? By buying chicken! These birds are
being offered at $5 for a 7-9 lb roaster. We are in the process of setting
up one-time deliveries to Oklahoma City and Tulsa for next week. The Tulsa
delivery will be Wednesday, OKC is still TBD. If you want to support local
food, farming and processing, check your freezer space and come buy some
birds. Buy some for your family and neighbors. Buy some and donate them to
your local food bank!

Please send an e-mail to osborn.nancy@... with your name, phone
number, location, and number of birds you'd like to buy. If we can buy about
4000 birds in the next week, they can get through this crunch. If you have
restaurant or institutional contacts who might like a large lot of roasters,
please talk to them and send them our way. You have an opportunity to make a
real, long-term difference in the face of local food next week--just by
buying some chicken!

Thanks,

Harlan

There is a new dairy in
  Jennings, Ok. This is in the Stillwater area, not very far
  from Hallett race track.
    Howard Muse runs the dairy; he has jersey cows
  and shorthorn milkers. The milk is 4$/ gallon and
  comes jugged in the usual plastic( HDPE)  jugs.
  The cows are on native grasses while in the field, and like
  most raw dairies in the state, receive a feedbag during
  milking.


  I received directions  from Howard last week: they are
    located one mile North and one mile East of Hallett on Ranch
   Creek Drive. (That's the first cross-roads north of
   town.) Howard is working on a sign to place on the highway and
   should have it done in a couple of days. It will be white
   with black lettering, "MILK FOR SALE", with a red
   arrow pointing East, "1 MILE". We also have a
   "MILK FOR SALE" sign in the yard near the
     mailbox.

   Our physical address is: Howard & Helen Muse
  361973 E. 5300 Rd.
  Jennings, OK 74038

   their phone number is 918-356-4431. The cell phone number is
   918-403-9436 and Howard usually has it in his pocket

Dr Jim Mazey has just put up a website with lots of information on mercury and
fluoride. Dr Maxey is a Huggins-trained dentist ( mercury removal) whose
practive is in Tulsa; to my knowledge he is the only Huggins trained dentist in
the state.

http://www.dentalconfessions.com/index.htm

kathy gibb

----- Original Message -----

From: gibbkathy

To: WAPFOKCentral@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 7:59 AM

Subject: [WAPFOKCentral] Re: Eggs

Hi Stephanie
I am delighted to add you to my list, eggs sources are something I am always asked about and always short of. There is usually a supply at the farmers market, but 9/10th of the time these have wimpy pale yolks- compared to the deep orange yolks I am looking for it is hard for them to pass muster. I don't really care if the chicken got all vegetarian organic feed ( which is an oxymoron for a bird!!), I want a girl that eats grubs, maggotts, small frogs, etc. I will pass your info on
kathy

--- In WAPFOKCentral@yahoogroups.com, "Stephanie Nichols" <stephanie.nichols@...> wrote:
>
> I also sell fresh eggs. Free range, chemical free, beautiful orange yolks, healthy and natural. I'm in the Edmond area if anyone needs fresh eggs out this way. Whispering Oak Farm located at 6405 Whispering Oak Dr Edmond 73034. Eggs are in a fridge under my carport, money jar inside.
> I have a packing license under my farm name.
>
> Stephanie Nichols
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: gibbkathy
> To: WAPFOKCentral@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 10:11 AM
> Subject: [WAPFOKCentral] Eggs
>
>
>
>
>
> john McDaniel has fresh eggs coming out his ears, Debbie Irwin has brought all her eggs to his place and the fridge is full. I picked up a few dozen last week and the yolks were a beautiful deep orange..
> e-mail me for directions
> kathy gibb
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.59/2064 - Release Date: 04/17/09 07:08:00
>

---

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.12.1/2070 - Release Date: 04/20/09 17:56:00

Hi Stephanie
I am delighted to add you to my list, eggs sources are something I am always
asked about and always short of. There is usually a  supply at the farmers
market, but  9/10th  of the time these have wimpy pale  yolks- compared to the
deep orange yolks I am looking for it is hard for them to pass muster. I don't
really care if the chicken got all vegetarian organic feed ( which is an
oxymoron for a bird!!), I want a girl that eats grubs, maggotts, small frogs,
etc. I will pass your info on
kathy

--- In WAPFOKCentral@yahoogroups.com, "Stephanie Nichols"
<stephanie.nichols@...> wrote:
>
> I also sell fresh eggs. Free range, chemical free, beautiful orange yolks,
healthy and natural. I'm in the Edmond area if anyone needs fresh eggs out this
way. Whispering Oak Farm located at 6405 Whispering Oak Dr Edmond 73034. Eggs
are in a fridge under my carport, money jar inside.
> I have a packing license under my farm name.
>
> Stephanie Nichols
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: gibbkathy
>   To: WAPFOKCentral@yahoogroups.com
>   Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 10:11 AM
>   Subject: [WAPFOKCentral] Eggs
>
>
>
>
>
>   john McDaniel has fresh eggs coming out his ears, Debbie Irwin has brought
all her eggs to his place and the fridge is full. I picked up a few dozen last
week and the yolks were a beautiful deep orange..
>   e-mail me for directions
>   kathy gibb
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>   No virus found in this incoming message.
>   Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>   Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.59/2064 - Release Date: 04/17/09
07:08:00
>

----- Original Message -----

From: gibbkathy

To: WAPFOKCentral@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 10:11 AM

Subject: [WAPFOKCentral] Eggs

john McDaniel has fresh eggs coming out his ears, Debbie Irwin has brought all her eggs to his place and the fridge is full. I picked up a few dozen last week and the yolks were a beautiful deep orange..
e-mail me for directions
kathy gibb

---

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.59/2064 - Release Date: 04/17/09 07:08:00

john McDaniel has fresh eggs coming out his ears, Debbie Irwin has brought all
her eggs to his place and the fridge is full. I picked up a few dozen last week
and the yolks were a beautiful deep orange..
  e-mail me for directions
kathy gibb

OSU/OKC FARMER'S MARKET -

How many of us greet a snow day off from work with the anticipation of getting
caught up around the house and cooking a big pot of stew? Now imagine you are a
farmer, perhaps a farmer who has only one day per week to lay out your weekly
harvest - the bounty of your months of hard work - to procure your paycheck for
the entire week. What does a snow day mean to you now? Ouch.

Stephanie Jordan (Conservation Chair, Sierra Club Cimarron Group), Bob Davis
(Local Food Chair, Sustainable East Oklahoma County), Cheryl Camp (Market
Manager for OSU/OKC) and Dianne Perkins (Sierra Club) didn't want to see that
happen, so we put on our thinking caps and picked up the phone. The result is
Farmer's Market Take Two, at the usual Saturday meeting spot (400 N Portland)
THIS SUNDAY FROM 12:00-3:00.

Some of the vendors were skeptical about how many shoppers could be re-routed on
short notice, so let's show them the power of community and show up in droves.
Please post this to any applicable listservs you know of, mention it to your
friends at church, or ask your neighbor if they would like to go with you, or
even offer to pick something up for them. Cheryl will also be contacting the
local news sources.

We can use our networking to turn a would-be financial hit for the farmers into
a chance to see how much the community is in their corner. And isn't that why we
all do what we do?

See you tomorrow!

Steph, Bob, Cheryl and Dianne

Trafficking in Raw Milk

After illegal drugs, raw milk -- milk that's unpasteurized and unhomogenized,
just as it comes out of the cow -- may be the most briskly traded underground
commodity in America.


It's early Saturday morning, and the Brooklyn street is almost empty. Except at
one half-open store, where about 30 people are lined up in the narrow aisle
clutching empty backpacks, shopping bags and suitcases. At the door, a man
checks each entrant, asking "Are you here for the...pickup?"

Someone shouts "The van's coming!" and the place burst into action. People run
into the street and come back hauling heavy cartons and cooler chests. Then the
store empties as quickly as it filled, as everyone lugs their contraband
purchase home.

And "lug" is the word. What's being distributed at this store -- and in
countless offices, backyards, homes, churches and parking lots across the
country -- is milk. Raw milk.

Apart from illegal drugs, raw milk -- milk that's unpasteurized and
unhomogenized, just as it comes out of the cow -- may be the most briskly traded
underground commodity in the United States. By a conservative estimate, some
500,000 people in the U.S. drink the stuff, says Sally Fallon, president of the
Weston Price Foundation, which is dedicated to spreading the word about raw milk
-- and making it legal. Her guess is that the true total is closer to a million.
Even the Food and Drug Administration, which is doing its best to keep raw milk
out of the mouths of citizens, has acknowledged that about 3 percent of U.S.
milk drinkers drink it raw.

It's not that those Brooklyn milk-buyers were doing anything illegal -- drinking
raw milk is legal in every state. So is buying it. What's not legal, except in
eight states (Arizona, California, Connecticut, Maine, Pennsylvania, South
Carolina, New Mexico and Washington), is selling it to the general public. The
other 42 states have a variety of bans. In some, it can be sold only on the
farm. In others, it can be sold only as pet food. Some outlaw its sale
altogether. Federal law prohibits transporting it for sale -- even from a state
where it's legally sold -- across state lines.

Skirting the law

That hasn't stopped ingenious raw milk drinkers from finding ways around the
rules. Some buy the milk in states where it is legal and carry it across state
lines themselves. (Milky Way Farm, in Starr, S.C., does a brisk business selling
raw milk in parking lots right on the state line to buyers from neighboring
states where it's illegal). Others form milk-buying clubs, which purchase the
milk from a farm that's allowed to sell it and bring it back to a central
distribution point. In states where selling raw milk isn't allowed at all,
clever lawyers have taken advantage of old-time laws that let a farmer board and
feed a neighbor's cow to set up cow-share programs. Members legally own the
cattle the dairy farmer is raising and milking, and -- as owners -- get the
milk.

These arrangements may fall within the letter of the law, but they clearly skirt
its intent, so raw milk drinkers keep very, very quiet about their sources. A
raw milk club in New York demands a reference from a current member before it
will let you join. Joining one New Jersey club takes weeks because the club
checks out each potential member (to make sure they're not a government agent in
disguise) before letting them in.

The complicated legal arrangements make buying raw milk something of an ordeal.
No running down to the corner for a quick quart: in most cases, buyers must
order their raw milk online, usually by the gallon, several days before the
pickup. (If you miss the deadline, you have to wait for the next one.)
Deliveries are rarely made more than once a week and many are two or more weeks
apart. Some buyers have to drive several hours to get to the pickup site, which
is often in a hard-to find spot. "I've gotten lost so many times," says Valerie
Scott Massimo, a New Jersey raw milk drinker. "The house is un-findable, and
they have a wooden fence six feet tall."

There's good reason for these clubs to be cautious. While state authorities
rarely go after raw milk buyers, distributors have gotten in trouble -- late
last year an Ohio raw milk co-op was raided at gunpoint by sheriffs' deputies.
And state officials regularly try to shut down dairies that sell raw milk. The
Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, which defends farmers' right to sell raw
milk, has a dozen cases on its docket right now. "People have the legal right to
drink it," says Pete Kennedy, interim president. "The problem is finding ways to
enable them to exercise their right."

If many state officials get their way, exercising that right will get harder,
not easier. State officials try continually to tighten the laws governing the
sale of raw milk. About a year and a half ago, agriculture authorities in
Georgia, where it can only be sold as pet food, proposed requiring all raw milk
to be dyed charcoal gray, to make it less attractive to drinkers. (Activists
beat that one back). In California, state authorities have tightened the
requirements for raw milk testing, says Mark McAfee, owner of Organic Pastures,
the state's biggest raw milk producer, demanding that the milk be free not just
of harmful bacteria, but of almost any bacteria at all.

A government conspiracy?

Many raw milk enthusiasts see a deep conspiracy behind governmental attempts to
prevent the sale of raw milk. McAfee, who's managed to get into trouble with the
law even in a state where raw milk is legal (by insisting on shipping it across
state lines), blames it on the drug companies. They don't want people
discovering that food can cure what they're selling pills for, he says. "They
don't want any encroachment."

But a quick look at the past makes it clear why so many governmental officials
hold to the need for pasteurization. B.P. (before pasteurization), many dairies,
especially in cities, fed their cattle on -- to put it bluntly -- garbage, and
their milk was rife with dangerous bacteria. Pasteurizing it was the only way to
make it safely drinkable. After many years of pasteurization, just about
everyone simply assumes that raw milk is dangerous stuff. Amy Osborne, a dancer,
got a panicked letter from a relative -- a dietician -- when she heard Osborne
was feeding her baby raw milk. "It made my husband really nervous," she says.
Another mother, reluctant even to have her name used, though raw milk is legal
in her state, worries about whether to let her children's friends drink it. "God
forbid they get sick and blame it on raw milk, "she says.

When a raw milk drinker gets sick, that's generally what happens -- whatever the
evidence. Years ago, Massimo got sick a few months after starting to drink raw
milk from a nearby dairy. Her doctor immediately blamed the milk -- even though
tests showed no harmful bacteria and nobody else who had drunk the milk had
gotten sick. "He was totally convinced," she says, "and he was a doctor and I
wasn't." So she stopped drinking it.

She started again 20 years later when -- after moving to New Jersey -- she
developed diverticulitis and became very weak on the liquid diet that was all
she could digest. Her chiropractor, Steven Lavitan, put her on raw milk, and she
says she immediately began to feel better. Lavitan, who recommends raw dairy
products to many of his clients, says he has even seen cataracts improved by
drinking raw milk. He and others claim that raw milk can cure a host of
ailments, including asthma, allergies, lactose intolerance and other digestive
problems, many of which, they argue, are caused in the first place by drinking
pasteurized milk. "Anything that regular milk can cause, raw milk can cure,"
Lavitan says.

It does a body good

Raw milk lovers advance two basic health arguments. The first (flatly denied by
regulators and most nutritional scientists) is that pasteurization destroys or
damages many of milk's most valuable nutrients. The second is that while it may
kill dangerous bacteria, pasteurization also kills off all the good bacteria in
raw milk -- some of the same ones that big dairy companies are now selling as
"probiotics" in pricey new yogurt and drink concoctions.

In fact, supporters argue, raw milk is just as safe as the dairy it comes from.
If the cows are healthy and the dairy is spotless, they say, raw milk is safer
by far than pasteurized milk, because the beneficial bacteria naturally found in
raw milk make it harder for harmful bacteria to grow.

It's not just health claims that make raw milk drinkers willing to go to so much
trouble to get it. Milk in its natural state simply tastes better, they say --
sweeter, richer and more wholesome. Ellen Whalen, a freelance writer and
home-schooling mother on Cape Cod, says raw milk even goes sour more pleasantly
than pasteurized milk. "Pasteurized milk rots," she says. "Raw milk doesn't go
bad, it just changes."

Help on the way

Some help for raw milk drinkers may be at hand. In late January, Congressman Ron
Paul of Texas, who ran for president in 2008, introduced a bill that would
legalize the shipment and distribution of raw milk and milk products for human
consumption across state lines. It's an issue of constitutional rights, Paul
said in a statement introducing the bill. "Americans have the right to consume
these products without having the federal government second-guess their judgment
about what products best promote health. "

One raw milk defender goes even further. Max Kane, the owner of a Chicago raw
milk co-op who recently finished a cross-country bicycle trip, during which he
ate and drank only raw dairy products to publicize the case for raw milk, would
like to see massive civil disobedience. "As long as people keep trying these
little ways to circumvent the law, this bull---- is going to continue," he says.
"I think everyone should come forward and say we're proud to drink raw milk.
Otherwise it's always going to be us running, and them chasing us."

If you want to try raw milk...

Raw milk's hard to find, Kane found out on his trip, even when, as he did,
you've got a crew of about a dozen friends e-mailing and cold-calling farmers to
hunt the stuff down. The difficulty of getting supplies extended the trip by
over a week and forced Kane to cross Mississippi and Louisiana by bus, since the
few dairies he could find were too far apart to sustain him. He made it across
Texas thanks to a farmer who met him regularly on the road with fresh supplies.

To find a source near you, start by asking around, especially at health-food
stores and farmers' markets. Unless you're in one of the eight states where
selling it in stores is legal, you won't be able to buy it at either place. But
you may get some leads from other shoppers.

Keep your eyes out for fundraisers for the Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund,
or programs sponsored by the Weston Price Foundation. While neither organization
actually distributes raw milk, both fight for it, and their supporters are
likely to drink it.

Another way to contact raw milk drinkers is to do a Web search for "raw milk"
and your state; there may well be a local organization that fights for it. Start
with a search on LocalHarvest.org. Or you can do what Kane did: hunt for local
farmers. Check out the Campaign for Real Milk, which lists producers of raw milk
and cheese around the country and also provides a useful summary of raw milk's
legal status in each state.

(Warning: if you're not in a state that allows farmers to sell raw milk to the
public, the list will be skimpy. Advertising on a raw milk site is "one of
easier ways to get in hot water," notes Kennedy, who says they're regularly
monitored by federal and local officials.)

----------------------------------------------------------

Ann Monroe blogs about the sustainable life at http://www.annmonroe.com/blog/.

Dear friends,

As many of you are aware, today is a big day for those of us concerned about the
National Animal Identification System. If you have not yet heard about this
program, I have described it below, along with the impact that it will have on
small farmers and our rural communities. Please, if you have not sent in a
comment about how NAIS will impact you and your neighbors, follow the links
below to take action and make your voice heard. We must do all that we can to
stop this plan.

Please feel free to circulate this story as you see fit. The New York Times is
also running an abbreviated version in today's Op Ed section.

Best wishes to all of you, and thank you for your continued involvement in
building a truly secure and sustainable local food system.

Shannon Hayes

WHAT NAIS MEANS TO SMALL FARMERS AND RURAL AMERICA

By Shannon Hayes

On Wednesday, March 11th, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and
Poultry will hold a hearing on the proposed National Animal Identification
System (NAIS). On the surface, NAIS is a marvel of technological wizardry
whereby we farmers tag every head of livestock in the country and the USDA
electronically tracks their whereabouts. In the event of a disease outbreak,
they plan to identify within 48 hours which animals are involved, where they are
located, and what other animals might have been exposed. After an outpouring of
farm and ranch protests, NAIS was made "voluntary at the federal level," but the
status is precarious, because funding to states can be contingent upon mandating
compliance. For us as consumers, NAIS may sound like a legislative dream,
assuring the American food supply is safe. But for us as citizens, NAIS is a
nightmare. Policy opponents argue the program cannot deliver on its promises to
thwart di sease contagion; it does nothing to contain food-born illness; it
threatens the civil liberties of farmers; it infringes on the religious freedoms
of many, like the Amish, who object to the system on grounds that it represents
"the mark of the beast."

Any benefit of this specious proposal goes to big agri-business by making
factory farming practices, where contagious livestock diseases are most likely
to occur, seem safe; moreover, it establishes costly barriers for the
ever-growing local food movement. It may help the feedlot beef industry improve
its image for the export market.

Other beneficiaries include manufacturers of animal identification and tracking
systems who stand to garner hefty profits. The program seeks to protect an
industrial agricultural system that, through the use of sub-therapeutic
antibiotics, confinement farming and unnatural feeding practices, exacerbates
the threat of diseases within it, and has spurred the local food movement that
rejects its products.

At the same time, NAIS will devastate the alternative local farming system many
of us, both as farmers and consumers, have given our life energy to create. By
virtue of our farming practices, small pasture-based livestock farms like ours
do not suffer the same disease risks as factory farms; in fact, our grazing
practices and natural farming methods actually help to thwart them. Pathogenic
microbes are less likely to thrive, replicate or develop antibiotic resistant
strains when animals are kept in a natural environment, outdoors, on grass.
Further, when small farms are full participants in a local food system, tracking
a diseased animal doesn't require an exorbitantly expensive national database.

The burden for a program that will safeguard agribusiness interests will be
disproportionately shouldered by America's small farmers, rural families, and
local food consumers. Worse yet, the burden for administering it will force many
rural Americans to lose our way of life.

For factory farms, the costs to implement NAIS protocols are negligible. These
operations already use computer technology to monitor their systems, and in the
case of confinement swine and poultry operations, all the factory animals that
move through a production chain at the same time can be given a single number.
On small farms like ours, every single animal will require its own number. That
means the cost of tracking a thousand animals moving together through a factory
system will be roughly equal to the price that a small farmer will incur for
tracking one animal.

In an article for Mother Earth News, Jack Kittredge reports that ID chips are
estimated to be somewhere between $1.50 and $3 each, depending on the quantity
purchased. A rudimentary machine to read the tags may be $100 - $200. It is
expected that most reporting will have to be done online (requiring monthly
internet fees), plus there will be an added cost of the database subscription,
resulting in about $500-$1000 (conservatively) per year per premise for the
fixed costs. The variable costs, the number of animal ID tags, and the frequency
of data entry, would be added to that figure. I estimate the combined cost for
our farm at $10,000. That's almost 30% of the average income in this county.

Many of us farmers live on the dark side of the digital divide. At Sap Bush
Hollow Farm, dial-up is our only internet option, and it is difficult to
maintain a connection. The frustration is compounded when the NAIS requires that
we report the movement of every animal on the premises within 48 hours. Imagine
the reporting nightmare we will face each May, when 100 ewes give birth to 200
lambs out on pasture, and then, six weeks later when those pastures are grazed
off, the entire flock must be herded one mile up the road to a second farm that
we rent. Add to that the arrival every three weeks of three hundred chicks, the
three 500 pound sows who will each give birth to about 10 piglets out in the
pastures twice per year (and who will attack anyone who comes near their babies
more fiercely than a junkyard pit bull), then a batch of 100 baby turkeys, and
the free-roaming laying hens. Additional tagging and record keeping would be
required for the geese and guin ea fowl who nest somewhere behind the barn and
in the hedgerows, occasionally visiting the neighbors' farms, hatching broods of
goslings and keets that run wild all summer long. Double that accounting figure
each time one of those animals is sold, dies, or is trucked to a slaughterhouse.
Then, factor in the penalties for non-compliance if we fail to account for a
lamb quietly stolen by a coyote, or the added costs if we suffer injury when
trying to come between a protective sow and her piglets.

For my family, the upshot is more out-of-pocket expenses, less time stewarding
the land and animals, mutual stress and danger when tagging these animals, less
time with our customers and community, and a lot more time swearing at the
computer.

Yet another scar to be left by this program will be on rural America's cultural
and economic landscape. Rural families have long been able to thrive on
wholesome local food while subsisting on incomes well below the national
average. They do this by keeping a flock of chickens in the backyard, feeding
out a pig, milking a family cow or goat, or teaming up with a neighbor to raise
a beef animal. Rural youth take on backyard livestock for 4-H projects, learn
more about a future in farming, earn cash for college, and make a contribution
to the family's food security. The annual fixed costs of participating in NAIS
will exceed the value of the livestock for these families.

If we want to step up measures to secure our food supply, then the first step
should be prevention. In a March 8th 2005 letter to the Committee on Homeland
Security, the U.S. Government Accountability Office openly discloses that "the
highly concentrated breeding and rearing practices of our livestock industry
make it a vulnerable target for terrorists because diseases could spread rapidly
and be very difficult to contain." The big factory farms are the problem, not
the little dispersed operations and that dot the countryside. Thus, to heighten
our food security, we should place limits on industrial agriculture and
stimulate the growth of small farms and backyard food production around the
country, –not try to put them out of business. In a white paper on NAIS
alternatives, the non-profit group Farm and Ranch Freedom points out that the
GAO report on Agro-terrorism identified no deficiencies in our current an imal
tracking practices, which include, among others, the brand system, sale and
slaughter records, producer records, and numerous disease tracking and
prevention programs. Nation-wide educational efforts to train farmers and
veterinarians about proper management, bio-security practices and disease
recognition would be a far more effective and less costly alternative to the
prohibitively expensive NAIS.

Anyone who has taken a drive in the country can attest to how the small farms
and little backyard operations, run on a shoestring budget, define our landscape
and our way of life. The institution of a National Animal Identification System
will effectively remove one of the most defining features from the American
countryside. NAIS will slam small farmers. But it reaches further than that, to
the rural poor who put food on the table through subsistence livestock
production, to the local feed and supply stores who service us, the slaughter
houses, the livestock truckers, the sale barns where we trade, and the county
fairs and community celebrations that showcase our efforts and encourage our
youth to consider a future in farming.
The official comment period for the current USDA proposed rule to require all
farms and ranches where animals are raised to be registered in a federal
database under NAIS closes on March 16th. To comment on the program, go to:
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2\
007-0096.
For more background on NAIS and political updates, visit the NOFA-MASS website,
http://www.nofamass.org/news/naisalert.php

Shannon Hayes, Ph.D. is the host of grassfedcooking.com and author of The
Grassfed Gourmet Cookbook and The Farmer and the Grill. She works with her
family on Sap Bush Hollow Farm, a diversified pasture-based livestock operation
in Upstate New York. Shannon's newest book, Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming
domesticity from a consumer culture, is due out in April 2010.

--

Howdy folks!

We just wanted to let you all know that we are taking pre-orders for our pasture
raised chickens.  They're packaged as whole chickens and ready for your freezer.
They are antibiotic and hormone free, and will be ready to pick up the end of
May.  We'd like to get as many pre-orders as possible by Friday March 6th, so we
can have a good idea of how many to order.   They are sold by the pound @ $3.35
per pound; with each chicken weighing about 4-6 pounds.  Drop us an email if
you'd like to place your order, or if you have any questions.

Thanks!!

The Morris Family
Shekinah Springs Farm
405-406-2431
www.shekinahspringsfarm.com

ANIMAL OWNERS and TAXPAYERS‏


From:  Weston A. Price Foundation (info@...)
Sent: Fri 2/13/09 3:01 AM
To: gibbkathy@...

ANIMAL OWNERS AND TAXPAYERS
NAIS ALERT! Protect your right to farm and the food supply!

The USDA has proposed a rule to require all farms where animals are raised to be
registered in a federal database under the National Animal Identification System
(NAIS) for
existing disease control programs. The draft rule covers programs for cattle,
sheep, goats,
and swine. It also sets the stage for the entire NAIS program to be mandated for
everyone,
including anyone who owns even one livestock animal, for example, a single
chicken or a
horse.

It is CRITICAL that the USDA and Congress hear from the hundreds of thousands of
people
who will be adversely affected by the NAIS program. This includes not only
animal owners,
but also consumers who care about local and sustainable foods, taxpayers who
object to
wasteful government programs, and advocates for a safer local food system.

STEP 1: Submit comments to USDA online or by mail. The comments must be received
by
USDA by March 16, 2009.

Submit comments online at:
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?
main=DocumentDetail&o=090000648081c664
Click on the yellow balloon next to "add comments."

Or mail two copies of your comments to USDA: Docket No. APHIS-2007-0096,
Regulatory
Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118,
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Clearly state that your comments refer to Docket No.
APHIS-
2007-0096.

You can download sample comments at
www.farmandranchfreedom.org/content/files/090202_sample_comments.doc or see the
sample comments at the end of this alert


STEP 2: Send a copy of your comments to your Congressman and Senators.
You can find who represents you, and their contact information, at
www.congress.org

Organic Consumers Association has set up an automated system for folks to submit
comments on the proposed USDA NAIS rule

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26665

STEP 3: Spread the word! Forward this alert to your friends, neighbors, and any
agriculture
or food-related mail lists you are on. You can also download a flyer and the
sample
comments at http://farmandranchfreedom.org/content/take-action to put out at
local
farmers markets, riding stables, feed stores, etc.

BACKGROUND

The USDA has been working for over five years to force NAIS onto American animal
owners. NAIS is designed to identify and track each and every individual
livestock and
poultry animal owned by family farmers, hobby farmers, homesteaders, and pet
owners
across the country.
USDA claims that NAIS is a disease tracking program, but has refused to provide
any
support for its claims. In reality, NAIS will impose high costs and government
surveillance
on every farmer and animal owner for no significant benefits, and will likely
force many
small producers out of business.

NAIS does nothing to improve food safety for consumers or prevent animal
diseases. This
program is a one-size-fits-all program developed by and for big Agribusiness.
NAIS will
increase consolidation of our food supply in the hands of a few large companies
and put
the brakes on the growing movement toward local food systems.

Despite promises to the contrary, the USDA's new proposed rule would make
portions of
the NAIS mandatory for thousands of people in every state. Anyone who
participates in
federal disease control program for cattle, sheep, goats or swine will have
their premises
registered. The NAIS Premises Identification Number (PIN) will become the only
form of
premises identification acceptable for USDA animal health purposes, with no
opt-out
provision.

The proposed rule would also limit official Animal Identification Numbers to the
NAIS-
compliant 840-numbering system, laying the groundwork for future regulations
that
would limit people's options on the types of tags they could use.

The proposed rule is not final yet. You can help stop it by visiting the Federal
Registry and
making a comment. Go to http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?
main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2007-0096 and click on the yellow balloon under "add
comments." And send a copy of your comments to your elected officials, letting
them
know how you feel about NAIS.

The grassroots movement has already successfully stalled USDA's plans for NAIS,
which
originally called for the entire program - premises registration, animal
identification, and
tracking - to be mandatory by January 2009. The proposed rule is an opportunity
to get
thousands of objections in the formal record, and have an even greater impact.
It is
imperative that people speak up to protect our right to farm and our food
supply!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Go to www.FarmAndRanchFreddom.org or contact Judith McGeary, 512-243-9404 or
Judith@...


SAMPLE COMMENTS

[Mail two copies to the address below. Or submit comments online at:
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?
main=DocumentDetail&o=090000648081c664 ]

Date: ____________________

Docket No. APHIS-2007-0096
Regulatory Analysis and Development PPD, APHIS
Station 3A-03.8
4700 River Road Unit 118
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238

Re: Docket No. APHIS-2007-0096

I urge the USDA to withdraw its proposed rule to implement portions of the
National
Animal Identification System (NAIS), Docket No. APHIS-2007-0096.

I am a _____________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________
[State who you are - for instance, are you a farmer, consumer, or horse owner --
and why
this issue matters to you]

The proposed rule mandates the NAIS Premises Identification Number (PIN) as the
sole
means of identifying properties for USDA animal health purposes. The proposed
rule also
mandates the use of the NAIS numbering system (i.e. the "840 numbering system")
for
eartags using official animal identification numbers. Tags using other numbering
systems
would be required to be linked to a NAIS PIN.

The draft rule is seriously flawed for multiple reasons:

1) Does not substantiate the alleged benefits to animal health. USDA makes
general claims
about the benefits of identifying locations where animals are kept, but the
agency does
not address the ability of existing programs to meet this purpose, nor how the
proposed
rule would improve the capability to identify locations.

2) Ignores the costs and burdens. The proposed rule would substantially increase
costs for
livestock owners and taxpayers. Costs include the development and maintenance of
a
massive database; purchase of 840-numbered tags by animal owners; changes by
state
agencies to make existing programs consistent with the rule; and increased
federal
government intrusion into the lives and daily activities of farmers and other
animal
owners.

3) Violates individuals' religious beliefs. Amish, Mennonite, and some other
individuals
have religious objections to the universal numbering system under NAIS.

4) Creates disincentives for people to seek veterinary care for their animals
and participate
in existing disease control programs. The proposed rule lists four animal
disease
programs-tuberculosis , brucellosis, scrapie, and Johne's - and will also impact
others.
These programs include provisions for veterinary care through vaccinations and
testing.
Animal owners who object to NAIS may avoid participating in these programs,
thereby
increasing health risks to the public and farm operations.

The proposed rule is a significant step towards implementing the entire NAIS
program.
Thus, the agency should address the fundamental question of whether it should be
implementing NAIS at all. In addition to the problems with the draft rule listed
above, there
are many additional objections to the entire NAIS program:

1) No significant benefits: USDA's assertions that NAIS will provide benefits
for animal
health are not supported, and actually contradict basic scientific principles.

2) High costs for animal owners and taxpayers: These costs include: (1) the
development,
maintenance, and update of massive databases; (2) the costs of tags, most of
which will
contain microchips; (3) the labor burdens for tagging every animal; (4) the
paperwork
burdens of reporting routine movements; and (5) the costs of enforcement on
millions of
individuals.

3) Impracticality: The databases to register the properties, identify each
animal, and
record billions of "events" will dwarf any system currently in existence.

4) Waste of money: The USDA has already spent over $130 million on NAIS
implementation, but has yet to develop a workable plan for the program.

5) Diverts resources from more critical needs such as disease testing, disease
prevention
through vaccination and improved animal husbandry practices, and disease
detection in
currently uninspected livestock imports.

6) Damage to food safety efforts: NAIS will not prevent foodborne illnesses,
such as e. coli
or salmonella contamination, because the tracking ends at the time of slaughter.
Food
safety is better served by focusing on programs such as increased testing for
bovine
spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or Mad Cow), improved oversight of
slaughterhouses and
food processing facilities, and increased inspections of imported foods.
Programs such as
NAIS that burden small, sustainable farmers will hurt efforts to develop safer,
decentralized local food systems

7) Discourages involvement in farming or animal husbandry: Because of costs and
government intrusion, some people will choose not to stay in farming or go into
farming.
This will result in less competition, greater reliance in foreign imports and
poor quality at
higher prices.

I urge the USDA to withdraw the proposed rule to implement portions of the
National
Animal Identification System, Docket No. APHIS-2007-0096.

Sincerely,
Name: ___________________________________
Address: __________________________________
City, State Zip: _____________________________

Additional Comments:

HAVING TROUBLE SUBMITTING COMMENTS?

Some people have reported problems with the online Federal Register comment
process. If
you don't see your comments posted on the website within a few hours, think
about these
issues:

1) Make sure you clicked on the yellow balloon under "add comments" next to the
very
first listed document (the proposed rule). You can also use this link:
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?
main=DocumentDetail&o=090000648081c664

2) Be sure to fill out all of the required fields, marked with a red star

3) Submitting attachments with other comments can sometimes cause a problem. If
you
wish to submit a word or pdf document, submit it separately from comments typed
into
the "general comments" field

4) If you don't get a page showing a confirmation number, go back through each
step.

5) Ultimately, you can always submit using the regular mail as an alternative.
Send TWO
copies to:

Docket No. APHIS-2007-0096
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS
Station 3A-03.8
4700 River Road Unit 118
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238




----------------------------------------

Our postal address is
PMB #106-380
4200 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20016
United States

I know this is not a very active list, however Ron Paul has
introduced a new milk bill and  I think would be in the  best interest
of everyone who drinks raw milk to make a few phone calls  or e-mails
and help to get this bill out of committee!!
  thankyou
kathy gibb
oklahoma city chapter

HR 778 REPEAL INTERSTATE RAW MILK BAN‏
From:  Weston A Price Foundation (info@...)
Sent: Thu 2/05/09 6:41 PM
To: gibbkathy@...

Dear Members,

We are pleased to announce that Congressman Ron Paul has introduced a
bill (HR 778) that would repeal the current ban on raw milk and raw
milk products for human consumption in interstate commerce. The ban
has made it more difficult for consumers to access raw milk and has
hurt the ability of raw milk producers to make a living.

Passage of the bill into law would go a long way to stopping the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in its efforts to completely shut
down the supply of raw milk.

To be successful, HR 778 must have co-sponsors. Your help is needed.
Now is the time to mobilize consumers and farmers across the U.S.

BACKGROUND

On January 28 Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) introduced HR 778, a bill
"to authorize the interstate traffic of unpasteurized milk and milk
products that are packaged for direct human consumption." Under the
bill, the federal government "may not take any action...that would
prohibit, interfere with, regulate, or otherwise restrict the
interstate traffic of milk, or a milk product, that is unpasteurized
and packaged for direct human consumption solely on the basis that the
milk or milk product is unpasteurized...." The bill defines
"interstate traffic" as "the movement of any conveyance or the
transportation of persons or property...from a point of origin in any
State or possession to a point of destination in any other State or
possession...."

Passage of the bill into law would repeal the federal regulation
prohibiting raw milk and raw milk products for human consumption in
interstate commerce. That regulation (21 CFR 1240.61) provides, in
part, that "no person shall cause to be delivered into interstate
commerce or shall sell, otherwise distribute, or hold for sale or
other distribution after shipment in interstate commerce any milk or
milk product in final package form for direct human consumption unless
the product has been pasteurized...."

The regulation is judge-made law having been issued in response to a
1986 court order requiring FDA to prohibit the sale of raw milk and
raw milk products in interstate commerce. The people's branch of
government, the Legislature, had no input in the issuance of the
regulation.

The bill honors States' rights and would not force a State to legalize
the sale of raw milk by producers within its boundaries nor would it
force a State to allow the sale of raw milk from out-of-State
producers in its retail stores. As the law currently stands, raw milk
cannot even be shipped from a State where its sale is legal into
another State where the sale is also legal. The bill would enable
consumers to enter into transactions to obtain raw milk and raw milk
products from other States without the transactions being in violation
of federal law.

The consumption of raw milk is legal in every State, yet its sale is
currently illegal in about half the States. HR 778 would enable those
living in States where the sale of raw milk is illegal-and those
living in States where the sale is legal but sources are not
present-to be able to exercise their legal right to consume raw milk.
As Congressman Paul stated in introducing the bill, "Americans have
the right to consume these products without having the Federal
Government second-guess their judgment about what products best
promote health. If there are legitimate concerns about the safety of
unpasteurized milk, those concerns should be addressed at the state
and local level."

FDA's position is that "raw milk should not be consumed by anyone, at
any time, for any reason." The agency is working to impose this belief
upon those who would disagree. FDA is currently pushing some States to
toughen their laws on raw milk production and sales while trying to
move other States to ban the sale or other distribution of raw milk
altogether. Rather than meddling in the States' exercise of their
police powers, FDA should be focusing its resources and attention on
the many problems that exist in our faltering industrial food system.

Raw milk producers stand to benefit significantly from the passage of
the bill. Nearby and accessible markets would be opened up to them
with the passage of the bill. Small dairy farms, whose continued
existence is threatened, could be enabled to survive with the
additional customers that would now be available to them. Conventional
small dairies suffering from the collapse in milk prices paid them by
dairy cooperatives could transition to selling or otherwise
distributing raw dairy products with a greater likelihood of success.
Lifting the ban would also promote the local food movement by
connecting consumers with producers who happen to live just across
state lines.

ACTION TO TAKE

HR 778 has been assigned to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Those supporting the bill should contact members of the Committee as
well as their own Representative to encourage them to sign on as
co-sponsors for the bill. See links and committee members below.

Supporters of the bill are encouraged to write letters and make phone
calls. Letters of one page or less can be sent to each member by email
and then sent by postal mail. Suggested points to make in the letter
are as follows.

1. The bill upholds consumer freedom of choice. The consumption of raw
dairy products is legal in all fifty states. The bill enables
consumers to exercise their legal right in States where the sale of
raw milk and/or raw milk products is illegal or where there are no
in-State sources.

2. The bill upholds States' rights. Decisions about the safety of raw
milk should be made at the state and local level, not by the federal
government.

3. The bill supports family farms by expanding their markets for raw
dairy products. The bill increases the chances of survival for those
dairies that are no longer able to subsist solely on the income from
the dairy cooperative system.

4. The bill promotes the local food movement by connecting consumers
to producers who happen to live just over state lines.

5. The bill would free FDA to focus on the pressing problems in our
food system, e.g., tainted imports, under-inspected large-scale food
processors.

The status of the bill can be tracked on the internet by entering "HR
778" in the Search field at www.thomas.gov; be sure to select "Bill
Number" instead of "Word/Phrase".

Visit www.farmtoconsumer.org for more information and links. The
committee list below (in order by State) was compiled from
www.energycommerce.house.gov and www.visi.com/juan/congress/. Each
member has an electronic mail webpage as well as a personal homepage.
Other members of Congress can be found at
http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/index.html.


Energy & Commerce Committee Members
Mike Ross, AR
Michael A. Ross (D-AR)
The Honorable Michael A. Ross
United States House of Representatives
2436 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0404
DC Phone 202-225-3772
DC Fax 202-225-1314
http://ross.house.gov/?sectionid=77�iontree=7677
http://www.house.gov/ross/

John Shadegg, AZ
John B. Shadegg (R-AZ)
The Honorable John B. Shadegg
United States House of Representatives
436 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0303
DC Phone 202-225-3361
DC Fax 202-225-3462
http://www.house.gov/formshadegg/emailtemplate.htm
http://www.house.gov/shadegg/

Anna Eshoo, CA
Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA)
The Honorable Anna G. Eshoo
United States House of Representatives
205 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0514
DC Phone 202-225-8104
DC Fax 202-225-8890
http://eshoo.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=447&Itemid=
http://eshoo.house.gov/

Doris Matsui, CA
Doris Matsui (D-CA)
The Honorable Doris Matsui
United States House of Representatives
222 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0505
DC Phone 202-225-7163
DC Fax 202-225-0566
https://forms.house.gov/matsui/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm
http://matsui.house.gov/

George Radanovich, CA
George P. Radanovich (R-CA)
The Honorable George P. Radanovich
United States House of Representatives
2410 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0519
DC Phone 202-225-4540
DC Fax 202-225-3402
http://radanovich.house.gov/Contact/email.htm
http://radanovich.house.gov/

Henry A. Waxman, CA, Chair
Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) [Chairman]
The Honorable Henry A. Waxman
United States House of Representatives
2204 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0530
DC Phone 202-225-3976
DC Fax 202-225-4099
http://www.house.gov/waxman/contact.htm
http://www.house.gov/waxman/

Jane Harman, CA
Jane Harman (D-CA)
The Honorable Jane Harman
United States House of Representatives
2400 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0536
DC Phone 202-225-8220
DC Fax 202-226-7290
http://www.house.gov/harman/contact/email.shtml
http://www.house.gov/harman/

Jerry McNerney, CA
Jerry McNerney (D-CA)
The Honorable Jerry McNerney
United States House of Representatives
312 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0511
DC Phone 202-225-1947
DC Fax 202-225-4060
http://mcnerney.house.gov/contact.shtml
http://mcnerney.house.gov/

Lois Capps, CA
Lois Capps (D-CA)
The Honorable Lois Capps
United States House of Representatives
1110 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0523
DC Phone 202-225-3601
DC Fax 202-225-5632
http://www.house.gov/capps/contact/send_an_email.shtml
http://www.house.gov/capps/

Mary Bono Mack, CA
Mary Bono Mack (R-CA)
The Honorable Mary Bono Mack
United States House of Representatives
104 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0545
DC Phone 202-225-5330
DC Fax 202-225-2961
http://bono.house.gov/Contact_Mary/ContactForm.htm
http://bono.house.gov/

Diana DeGette, CO
Diana DeGette (D-CO)
The Honorable Diana DeGette
United States House of Representatives
2335 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0601
DC Phone 202-225-4431
DC Fax 202-225-5657
http://www.house.gov/formdegette/zip_auth.htm
http://degette.house.gov/

Christopher Murphy, CT
Christopher Murphy (D-CT)
The Honorable Christopher Murphy
United States House of Representatives
412 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0705
DC Phone 202-225-4476
DC Fax 202-225-5933
http://www.house.gov/formchrismurphy/ic_zip_auth.htm
http://chrismurphy.house.gov/

Cliff Stearns, FL
Cliff Stearns (R-FL)
The Honorable Cliff Stearns
United States House of Representatives
2370 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0906
DC Phone 202-225-5744
DC Fax 202-225-3973
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
http://www.house.gov/stearns/

Kathy Castor, FL
Kathy Anne Castor (D-FL)
The Honorable Kathy Anne Castor
United States House of Representatives
317 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0911
DC Phone 202-225-3376
DC Fax 202-225-5652
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
http://castor.house.gov/

John Barrow, GA
John Barrow (D-GA)
The Honorable John Barrow
United States House of Representatives
213 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1012
DC Phone 202-225-2823
DC Fax 202-225-3377
http://barrow.house.gov/ima/contact.htm
http://barrow.house.gov/

Nathan Deal, GA
Nathan Deal (R-GA)
The Honorable Nathan Deal
United States House of Representatives
2133 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1010
DC Phone 202-225-5211
DC Fax 202-225-8272
http://www.house.gov/deal/contact.shtml
http://www.house.gov/deal/

Phil Gingrey, GA
Phil Gingrey (R-GA)
The Honorable Phil Gingrey
United States House of Representatives
119 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1011
DC Phone 202-225-2931
DC Fax 202-225-2944
http://www.house.gov/formgingrey/IMA/issue.htm
http://gingrey.house.gov/

Bruce Braley, IA
Bruce Braley (D-IA)
The Honorable Bruce Braley
United States House of Representatives
1019 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1501
DC Phone 202-225-2911
DC Fax 202-225-6666
https://forms.house.gov/braley/webforms/issue_subscribe.html
http://braley.house.gov/

Bobby Rush, IL
Bobby L. Rush (D-IL)
The Honorable Bobby L. Rush
United States House of Representatives
2416 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1301
DC Phone 202-225-4372
DC Fax 202-226-0333
http://www.house.gov/rush/zipauth.shtml
http://www.house.gov/rush/

Janice Schakowsky, IL
Janice Schakowsky (D-IL)
The Honorable Janice Schakowsky
United States House of Representatives
2367 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1309
DC Phone 202-225-2111
DC Fax 202-226-6890
http://www.house.gov/schakowsky/email.shtml
http://www.house.gov/schakowsky/

John Shimkus, IL
John Shimkus (R-IL)
The Honorable John Shimkus
United States House of Representatives
2452 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1319
DC Phone 202-225-5271
DC Fax 202-225-5880
http://www.house.gov/shimkus/emailme.shtml
http://www.house.gov/shimkus/

Baron Hill, IN
Baron P. Hill (D-IN)
The Honorable Baron P. Hill
United States House of Representatives
223 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1409
DC Phone 202-225-5315
DC Fax 202-226-6866
http://baronhill.house.gov/IMA/issue_subscribe.shtml
http://baronhill.house.gov/

Steve Buyer, IN
Stephen E. Buyer (R-IN)
The Honorable Stephen E. Buyer
United States House of Representatives
2230 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1404
DC Phone 202-225-5037
DC Fax 202-225-2267
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
http://stevebuyer.house.gov

Ed Whitfield, KY
Edward Whitfield (R-KY)
The Honorable Edward Whitfield
United States House of Representatives
2411 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1701
DC Phone 202-225-3115
DC Fax 202-225-3547
http://whitfield.house.gov/contact/index.shtml
http://whitfield.house.gov/

Charlie Melancon, LA
Charlie Melancon (D-LA)
The Honorable Charlie Melancon
United States House of Representatives
404 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1803
DC Phone 202-225-4031
DC Fax 202-226-3944
http://www.melancon.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=205
http://melancon.house.gov/

Edward Markey, MA
Edward J. Markey (D-MA)
The Honorable Edward J. Markey
United States House of Representatives
2108 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2107
DC Phone 202-225-2836
DC Fax 202-226-0092
http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=com_email_form&Itemid=124
http://markey.house.gov/

John Sarbanes, MD
John P. Sarbanes (D-MD)
The Honorable John P. Sarbanes
United States House of Representatives
426 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2003
DC Phone 202-225-4016
DC Fax 202-225-9219
http://sarbanes.house.gov/federal.asp
http://sarbanes.house.gov/

Bart Stupak, MI
Bart Stupak (D-MI)
The Honorable Bart Stupak
United States House of Representatives
2268 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2201
DC Phone 202-225-4735
DC Fax 202-225-4744
http://www.house.gov/stupak/IMA/issue2.htm
http://www.house.gov/stupak/

Fred Upton, MI
Fred Upton (R-MI)
The Honorable Fred Upton
United States House of Representatives
2183 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2206
DC Phone 202-225-3761
DC Fax 202-225-4986
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
http://www.house.gov/upton/

John Dingell, MI, Chair Emeritus
John D. Dingell (D-MI)
The Honorable John D. Dingell
United States House of Representatives
2328 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2215
DC Phone 202-225-4071
DC Fax 202-226-0371
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
http://www.house.gov/dingell/

Mike Rogers, MI
Mike Rogers (R-MI)
The Honorable Mike Rogers
United States House of Representatives
133 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2208
DC Phone 202-225-4872
DC Fax 202-225-5820
http://www.mikerogers.house.gov/Contact.aspx
http://www.mikerogers.house.gov/

Roy Blunt, MO
Roy Blunt (R-MO)
The Honorable Roy Blunt
United States House of Representatives
2229 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2507
DC Phone 202-225-6536
DC Fax 202-225-5604
http://www.blunt.house.gov/Contact.aspx
http://www.house.gov/blunt/

G.K. Butterfield, NC
G. K. Butterfield, Jr. (D-NC)
The Honorable G. K. Butterfield, Jr.
United States House of Representatives
413 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3301
DC Phone 202-225-3101
DC Fax 202-225-3354
http://butterfield.house.gov/contactinfo.asp
http://butterfield.house.gov/

Sue Wilkins Myrick, NC
Sue Myrick (R-NC)
The Honorable Sue Myrick
United States House of Representatives
230 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3309
DC Phone 202-225-1976
DC Fax 202-225-3389
http://myrick.house.gov/zipauth.shtml
http://www.house.gov/myrick/

Lee Terry, NE
Lee Terry (R-NE)
The Honorable Lee Terry
United States House of Representatives
2331 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2702
DC Phone 202-225-4155
DC Fax 202-226-5452
http://www.house.gov/formleeterry/IMA/issue.htm
http://leeterry.house.gov/

Frank Pallone, Jr., NJ
Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ)
The Honorable Frank Pallone, Jr.
United States House of Representatives
237 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3006
DC Phone 202-225-4671
DC Fax 202-225-9665
http://www.house.gov/pallone/contact.shtml
http://www.house.gov/pallone/

Anthony Weiner, NY
Anthony Weiner (D-NY)
The Honorable Anthony Weiner
United States House of Representatives
2104 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3209
DC Phone 202-225-6616
DC Fax 202-226-7253
http://weiner.house.gov/email_anthony.aspx
http://weiner.house.gov/

Eliot Engel, NY
Eliot L. Engel (D-NY)
The Honorable Eliot L. Engel
United States House of Representatives
2161 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3217
DC Phone 202-225-2464
DC Fax 202-225-5513
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
http://engel.house.gov/

Betty Sutton, OH
Betty Sutton (D-OH)
The Honorable Betty Sutton
United States House of Representatives
1721 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3513
DC Phone 202-225-3401
DC Fax 202-225-2266
http://sutton.house.gov/about/emailform.cfm
http://sutton.house.gov/

Zachary Space, OH
Zack T. Space (D-OH)
The Honorable Zack T. Space
United States House of Representatives
315 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3518
DC Phone 202-225-6265
DC Fax 202-225-3394
http://space.house.gov/?sectionid=61�iontree=2661
http://space.house.gov/

John Sullivan, OK
John Sullivan (R-OK)
The Honorable John Sullivan
United States House of Representatives
434 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3601
DC Phone 202-225-2211
DC Fax 202-225-9187
http://sullivan.house.gov/contact/write.htm
http://sullivan.house.gov/

Greg Walden, OR
Greg Walden (R-OR)
The Honorable Greg Walden
United States House of Representatives
2352 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3702
DC Phone 202-225-6730
DC Fax 202-225-5774
http://walden.house.gov/ContactGreg.Home.shtml
http://walden.house.gov/

Joseph Pitts, PA
Joseph R. Pitts (R-PA)
The Honorable Joseph R. Pitts
United States House of Representatives
420 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3816
DC Phone 202-225-2411
DC Fax 202-225-2013
http://www.house.gov/pitts/contact.shtml
http://www.house.gov/pitts/

Michael Doyle, PA
Michael F. Doyle (D-PA)
The Honorable Michael F. Doyle
United States House of Representatives
401 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3814
DC Phone 202-225-2135
DC Fax 202-225-3084
http://doyle.house.gov/email_mike.shtml
http://doyle.house.gov/

Tim Murphy, PA
Tim Murphy (R-PA)
The Honorable Tim Murphy
United States House of Representatives
322 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3818
DC Phone 202-225-2301
DC Fax 202-225-1844
http://murphy.house.gov/Contact/zipauth.htm
http://murphy.house.gov/

Bart Gordon, TN
Bart Gordon (D-TN)
The Honorable Bart Gordon
United States House of Representatives
2306 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4206
DC Phone 202-225-4231
DC Fax 202-225-6887
http://gordon.house.gov/contact/index.shtml
http://gordon.house.gov/

Marsha Blackburn, TN
Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
The Honorable Marsha Blackburn
United States House of Representatives
217 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4305
DC Phone 202-225-2811
DC Fax 202-225-3004
http://blackburn.house.gov/contactform/
http://blackburn.house.gov/

Charles Gonzalez, TX
Charles A. Gonzalez (D-TX)
The Honorable Charles A. Gonzalez
United States House of Representatives
303 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4320
DC Phone 202-225-3236
DC Fax 202-225-1915
http://www.gonzalez.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=170
http://www.house.gov/gonzalez

Gene Green, TX
Gene Green (D-TX)
The Honorable Gene Green
United States House of Representatives
2372 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4329
DC Phone 202-225-1688
DC Fax 202-225-9903
http://www.house.gov/green/contact/
http://www.house.gov/green/

Joe Barton, TX, Ranking Member
Joe Barton (R-TX) [Ranking Member]
The Honorable Joe Barton
United States House of Representatives
2109 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4306
DC Phone 202-225-2002
DC Fax 202-225-3052
http://joebarton.house.gov/ContactJoe.aspx?Type=Contact
http://joebarton.house.gov/

Michael Burgess, TX
Michael Burgess (R-TX)
The Honorable Michael Burgess
United States House of Representatives
229 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4326
DC Phone 202-225-7772
DC Fax 202-225-2919
http://burgess.house.gov/Contact/Offices/
http://burgess.house.gov/

Ralph Hall, TX
Ralph M. Hall (R-TX)
The Honorable Ralph M. Hall
United States House of Representatives
2405 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4304
DC Phone 202-225-6673
DC Fax 202-225-3332
http://www.house.gov/ralphhall/IMA/zipauth.htm
http://www.house.gov/ralphhall/

Jim Matheson, UT
James D. Matheson (D-UT)
The Honorable James D. Matheson
United States House of Representatives
2434 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4402
DC Phone 202-225-3011
DC Fax 202-225-5638
https://forms.house.gov/matheson/contact.shtml
http://matheson.house.gov/

Rick Boucher, VA
Rick Boucher (D-VA)
The Honorable Rick Boucher
United States House of Representatives
2187 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4609
DC Phone 202-225-3861
DC Fax 202-225-0442
http://www.boucher.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=645&Itemi\
d=
http://www.house.gov/boucher/

Donna Christensen, VI
Donna M. Christensen (D-VI)
The Honorable Donna M. Christensen
United States House of Representatives
1510 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-5501
DC Phone 202-225-1790
DC Fax 202-225-5517
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
http://www.donnachristensen.house.gov/

Peter Welch, VT
Peter Welch (D-VT)
The Honorable Peter Welch
United States House of Representatives
1404 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4501
DC Phone 202-225-4115
DC Fax 202-225-6790
http://www.house.gov/formwelch/issue_subscribe.htm
http://www.welch.house.gov/

Jay Inslee, WA
Jay Inslee (D-WA)
The Honorable Jay Inslee
United States House of Representatives
403 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4701
DC Phone 202-225-6311
DC Fax 202-226-1606
http://www.house.gov/inslee/contact/email.html
http://www.house.gov/inslee/

Tammy Baldwin, WI
Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
The Honorable Tammy Baldwin
United States House of Representatives
2446 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4902
DC Phone 202-225-2906
DC Fax 202-225-6942
http://www.house.gov/formbaldwin/IMA/get_address.htm
http://tammybaldwin.house.gov/

If you wish to be removed from our list, please email us at
info@...
----------------------------------------

DON'T DELAY! We need your help to get attention on critical issues for
our food supply! The competition for the "Top 10 Ideas for Change in
America" ends this THURSDAY, January 15, at 5 pm ET. The Top 10 ideas,
based on online voting, will be presented at an event at the National
Press Club the following day, and Change.org (a private organization)
has committed to continued publicity and support for the Top 10 ideas.

Legalizing raw milk and stopping NAIS are both in the top 20, but
several thousand votes short of the Top 10. We need your help!! Please
go vote at the links below. If you've already voted, please forward
this email to all of your friends and network to spread the word.

TAKE ACTION

Step 1: If you are not already signed up for the site, register at:
https://www.change.org/admin/sign_up

Step 2: Go to http://www.change.org/ideas/view/stop_nais to vote to
stop NAIS. Be sure to click the box labeled "vote!" to the left of
"Protect Our Food Supply -- Stop NAIS!"

Leaving a comment does not count as a vote. After you vote, the "vote"
box should change color and read "voted." If it doesn't, then wait a
moment, shift your mouse slightly, and click again until your vote
registers.


Step 3: Go to http://www.change.org/ideas/view/legalize_milk to vote
for raw milk. Be sure to click the box labeled "vote!" to the left of
"Legalize Milk." Leaving a comment does not count as a vote.

Step 4: Email all your friends, and ask them to vote also.


You can vote for up to 10 ideas. But remember that all of the ideas
are competing against each other to be in the Top 10, and that only
the Top 10 will be publicized at the National Press Club event.

One of the ideas currently in the Top 10 is Health Freedom, which
covers a wide range of issues and briefly mentions both raw milk and
microchipping. You can vote for it at
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/health_freedom

This is a very quick, easy way to help us raise awareness about raw
milk and NAIS and potentially get significant new resources for this
fight! Please go to http://www.change.org/ideas/view/stop_nais and
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/legalize_milk to vote now!

Hi,

I'm new to the group and am very excited to join. One of the reasons I
joined is to try and find some kefir grains. I would very much
appreciate any help locating some and am open to any advice or
suggestions in using them.

Thanks so much,

Steph

New York Times
December 19, 2008
Recommended Diet for Diabetics May Need Changing, Study Suggests
By RONI CARYN RABIN

People with Type 2 diabetes on a high-fiber diet kept their blood
sugar under better control when they ate foods like beans and nuts
instead of the recommended whole-grain diet, researchers have found.

Beans and nuts are among foods that only modestly increase blood
glucose levels; scientists describe these foods as having a low
glycemic index. The new study, which lasted six months, is one of the
largest and longest to assess the impact of foods with a low-glycemic
index, researchers said.

Participants on the low-glycemic diet also saw significant
improvements in cholesterol after six months, with increases in HDL,
the so-called "good" cholesterol associated with a reduced risk of
heart disease, the study found.

"That's an important issue today, because there's a double whammy for
people who are diabetic," said Dr. David J. A. Jenkins, lead author of
the report and a professor of nutritional sciences at the University
of Toronto. "If they're men, they have twice the risk of heart
disease, and if they're women, they have four times the risk. If you
can hit the heart disease to which they're particularly vulnerable,
you may have something useful."

"Pharmaceuticals used to control Type 2 diabetes have not shown the
expected benefits in terms of reducing cardiovascular disease," he
added.

The study was published on Tuesday in the Journal of the American
Medical Association.

Some 210 patients with Type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to a
low-glycemic diet or a high-cereal, high-fiber diet.

The high-cereal high fiber diet emphasized "brown foods" such as
whole-grain bread and breakfast cereal, brown rice and potatoes with
the skin on. The low-glycemic diet included beans, peas, lentils,
pasta, quickly boiled rice and certain breads, like pumpernickel and
rye, as well as oatmeal and oat bran cereals.

Both diets are low in saturated fat and trans fat. Both groups were
told to limit their consumption of white flour and to eat five
servings of vegetables and three servings of fruit each day.

Participants on the low-glycemic diet saw their hemoglobin A1C levels
— a measure of blood glucose levels over recent months — reduced
slightly, by 0.5 percent on average, but experienced significant
improvements in HDL, which increased by 1.7 milligrams per deciliter
of blood on average. Those on the high-cereal diet saw smaller
reductions in hemoglobin A1C and slight drops in HDL.

Dietitians who work with people who have Type 2 diabetes said earlier
studies had not demonstrated the benefits of low-glycemic index foods
as clearly as this report.

"We've been telling people to eat whole grains for a long time," said
Emmy Suhl, a nutrition and diabetes educator at the Joslin Diabetes
Center in Boston. "What this study shows is that it's not enough to
have whole grains. It's these very specific low-glycemic carbohydrates
that do a much better job."

But, she said, following such a diet is complicated, since the
glycemic index of a food can change depending on how it is prepared
and served.

"People tell us again and again  that diet is the hardest part of
diabetes management," she added..

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/17/dining/17bake.html?_r=1

New York Times
December 17, 2008
Butter Holds the Secret to Cookies That Sing
By JULIA MOSKIN

WHEN home bakers get out the mixer and the decorating sugar at this
time of year, visions of perfect-edged cookies and shapely cakes dance
in their heads. But too often, the reality — both for the cookie and
the baker — is ragged, fallen, and fraying around the edges.

"I've cried many times at 2 a.m., when the cookies fall apart after
all that work," said Susan Abbott, a lawyer in Dallas who tries every
Christmas to reproduce her mother's flower-shaped lemon cookies,
though she rarely bakes during the rest of the year.

"It seems that home bakers don't always follow instructions
precisely," said Amy Scherber, the owner of Amy's Bread stores in
Manhattan (where she also makes cakes and cookies, including orange
butter cookies). "And then it's so disappointing when things don't
turn out."

The most common mistakes made by home bakers, professionals say, have
to do with the care and handling of one ingredient: butter. Creaming
butter correctly, keeping butter doughs cold, and starting with fresh,
good-tasting butter are vital details that professionals take for
granted, and home bakers often miss.

Butter is basically an emulsion of water in fat, with some dairy
solids that help hold them together. But food scientists, chefs and
dairy professionals stress butter's unique and sensitive nature the
way helicopter parents dote on a gifted child.

"Butter has that razor melting point," said Shirley O. Corriher, a
food scientist and author of the recently published "BakeWise: The
Hows and Whys of Successful Baking" (Scribner).

For mixing and creaming, butter should be about 65 degrees: cold to
the touch but warm enough to spread. Just three degrees warmer, at 68
degrees, it begins to melt.

"Once butter is melted, it's gone," said Jennifer McLagan, author of
the new book "Fat: An Appreciation of a Misunderstood Ingredient, With
Recipes" (Ten Speed Press).

Warm butter can be rechilled and refrozen, but once the butterfat gets
warm, the emulsion breaks, never to return.

For clean edges on cookies and for even baking, doughs and batters
should stay cold — place them in the freezer when the mixing bowl
seems to be warming up. And just before baking, cookies should be very
well chilled, or even frozen hard.

Cold butter's ability to hold air is vital to creating what pastry
chefs call structure — the framework of flour, butter, sugar, eggs and
leavening that makes up most baked goods.

Before Anita Chu began work on her just-published "Field Guide to
Cookies" (Quirk Books), she was a Berkeley-trained structural engineer
with a baking habit she couldn't shake. One of her favorite cookies is
the croq-télé, or TV snack, a chunky cookie she adapted from the Paris
pastry chef Arnaud Larher. "There is no leavening to lift it, no eggs
to hold it together," she said. "It's all about the butter." Ms. Chu's
experience in design helped her with the demanding precision of
pastry.

"Butter is like the concrete you use to pour the foundation of a
building," she said. "So it's very important to get it right: the
temperature, the texture, the aeration."

Ms. Chu says that butter should be creamed — beaten to soften it and
to incorporate air — for at least three minutes. "When you cream
butter, you're not just waiting for it to get soft, you're beating air
bubbles into it," Ms. Chu said. When sugar is added, it makes more air
pockets, she said.

And those air bubbles are all that cookies or cakes will get, Ms.
Corriher said. "Baking soda and baking powder can't make air bubbles,"
she said. "They only expand the ones that are already there."

The best way to get frozen or refrigerated butter ready for creaming
is to cut it into chunks. (Never use a microwave: it will melt it,
even though it will look solid.) When the butter is still cold, but
takes the imprint of a finger when gently pressed, it is ready to be
creamed.

When using a stand mixer, attach the paddle blade, and never go above
medium speed, or the butter will heat up.

Butter's structural abilities are most crucial in layered or
"laminated" pastries like puff pastry, strudel, croissants and pie
dough, where flour-coated globules of butter expand during baking,
creating flat layers of pastry bathed in melted butter.

The result is almost succulent, splintering into flakes and shards
with each bite. Alvin Lee, the owner of Lee Lee's Baked Goods in
Harlem, may be one of the last commercial bakers in New York producing
traditional butter-dough rugelach, the Austrian-German-Jewish cookies
that are like tiny strudels. Most rugelach are made with vegetable
shortening, which is much cheaper and longer-lasting. Shortening
behaves well at most temperatures and makes crumbly, tender doughs,
but has no flavor of its own. Mr. Lee's rugelach are buttery,
magnificent, and fleeting. He says he came out of retirement, after a
30-year professional baking stint, determined to master the rugelach
genre. "I couldn't find one that I wanted to eat, with all the old
Jewish and German bakeries closing," he said. "So I had to make them
myself."

As commercial baking moves away from butter, home cooks have more
choices. There are regional French butters with impeccable government
credentials, English butter from Jersey cows, yellow butter from
Alpine peaks and white butter from Emilia-Romagna. (European Union
export subsidies are one reason for the cornucopia.)

Standard American butter, usually made from fresh cream, is about 80
percent fat. European butters are about 82 percent, and made from
slightly fermented cream. (American butters in that style, fashionable
among food lovers, are often called "cultured.")

Salted butter was long disparaged by American epicures, but the
French, the global butter authorities, welcome salt. "Salt makes food
taste better," said Robert Bradley, emeritus professor of dairy
science at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. "Why not butter?"

Blind tastings by Dining section staff members and others found the
differences among butters, European and American, to be pronounced.
Some were waxy, some nutty, some grassy. Some seemed less greasy than
others. Professionals like Mr. Bradley can taste many other flavor
undertones in butter, some lovely and some not, including grass,
flowers, whey, old cream, malt, must and weed. Some flavor differences
come from cows' feed. Others are acquired during processing.

Overall, the European-style butters have more of a golden, warm,
toasty flavor. (This is from a compound called diacetyl that develops
during fermentation.) Standard American butter has a fresher flavor of
milk and cream.

But quality was unpredictable. The butter with the best credentials
(high in fat, from the cows used to make Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese),
and the one with the most alluring packaging, were the most
flavorless.

Our favorite butters were salted Kerrygold from Ireland, unsalted
Kate's Homemade Butter from Old Orchard Beach, Me., and a "limited
edition" cultured butter from Organic Valley, made from May to
September, when cows are outside at least part of the time, eating
grass rather than feed. Butter from grass-fed cows, rich in beta
carotene, is more yellow (not higher in butterfat, as many believe).

In baking, the flavor differences mostly disappear. High-fat butters
can be used in traditional recipes. "You shouldn't see much
difference," said Kim Anderson, director of the Pillsbury test
kitchen, "maybe a slightly richer flavor and more tender crumb."

Most important is that butter be well preserved. Mr. Bradley
recommends wrapping butter that's not going to be used immediately in
foil, then sealing the edges with tape. Or using it quickly.

"I just went out and bought eight pounds of butter," said Robin Olson,
"and it will all be gone by next weekend." Ms. Olson, of Gaithersburg,
Md., is making six dozen cookies this week and reigns as queen of the
Christmas cookie party at her Web site, cookie-exchange.com. Her
instructions for cookie swaps are widely adopted. She always calls for
butter.

"I can tell a margarine cookie as soon as I bite into it," she said.
"And then I put it right down."


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/17/dining/17bake.html

There's a vote going on at Obama's website change.org; the top 10
ideas will be accepted in the new administration. Charles Rutledge
created one for legalizing raw milk. You have to make an account to
vote, but that took about a minute. Then vote for his idea. There's
only 44 votes right now - let's kick it up! And pass it on!

http://www.change.org/ideas/view/legalize_milk

Thanks,
kathy gibb
p.s. there's also a non-profit list, and WAPF is on the list but it
needs more support....

When buying olive oil you will want to obtain a high quality EXTRA
VIRGIN oil. The oil that comes from the first "pressing" of the olive,
is extracted without using heat (a cold press) or chemicals, and has
no "off" flavors is awarded "extra virgin" status. The less the olive
oil is handled, the closer to its natural state, the better the oil.
If the olive oil meets all the criteria, it can be designated as
"extra virgin".
    "Light" olive oil is a marketing concept and not a classification
of olive oil grades. It is completely unregulated by any certification
organizations and therefore has no real precedent to what its content
should be. Sometimes, the olive oil is cut with other vegetable oils.
  So when looking for olive oli look for " first cold pressed extra
virgin".
Olive oil can be used for gentle sauteing or as a dressing or dip but
you should not fry ot bake with it, the oil is not stable enough for that.
   For baking you can buy a tub of Palm shortening ( at the health food
store) or use butter or lard or any mixture of all 3. Lard at the
regular stores is hydrogenated, but you can usually buy (
house)rendered lard at the Asian supermarkets and often this stuff is
ok, unless they burn it..and your nose will tell you that ( yes, it
does come from factory pigs but it is not hydrogenated). It runs about
$1/lb. Sometime you can buy organic lard mail order but it seems to be
10-15$/ lb, out of my range...
Palm shortening is not the same as palm oil ( which is a red oil)and
you may be very comfortable baking with it as ir really resembles
crisco. I use half butter half palm shortening for pie crust. For
frying my favorite is ghee, which I have only been using a few
months..it's like cooking with butter only the solids have been
removed so it doesn't burn. I make my own ghee but you can  get it at
most markets in OKC- the asia marts have it, the gyro joints, and Buy
for less- any place with a middle easter slant will have ghee (
generally not Wal-Mart)..
Kathy gibb
OKC WAPF Chapter

-- In WAPFOKCentral@yahoogroups.com, "Jamie" <shepdawgz@...> wrote:
>
> I have quit buying veg oil but was wondering what you all use in
> baking.  Sometimes I use coconut oil and like it, although my kids
> can "taste" something different.  I find the same thing with EVOO.  Is
> light olive oil an okay replacement in that situation?  Tell me about
> palm oil.  I've never used it and know nothing about it.
>
> BTW, I used CO to make a pie crust and thought it was to die for!  Way
> better than the "good" ones I used to make with Crisco (shudder).
>
> Thanks!
> Jamie
>
e oil used should be  {first cold pressed, virgin o