Raw milk: it's all about the money
I admire Cindy Westover for her honesty.
Cindy told the Brattleboro Reformer yesterday that her family swung open its barn doors at Great Brook Farm over the weekend to celebrate its decision to start selling raw milk in the new milkhouse farm store, to give her family a greater margin on every gallon sold, and for dairy farmers, every extra dollar helps.
The story talks about the differences between state laws in New Hampshire and Vermont, with Westover saying the Vermont raw milk law -- apparently a variation of don't ask don't tell -- makes it harder for farmers, adding,
"It's too bad Vermont has that rule because if Vermont and New Hampshire dairy farmers go out of business, it will change everything in the two states. The state should do what it can to help farmers survive."
Cindy told the Brattleboro Reformer yesterday that her family swung open its barn doors at Great Brook Farm over the weekend to celebrate its decision to start selling raw milk in the new milkhouse farm store, to give her family a greater margin on every gallon sold, and for dairy farmers, every extra dollar helps.
The story talks about the differences between state laws in New Hampshire and Vermont, with Westover saying the Vermont raw milk law -- apparently a variation of don't ask don't tell -- makes it harder for farmers, adding,
"It's too bad Vermont has that rule because if Vermont and New Hampshire dairy farmers go out of business, it will change everything in the two states. The state should do what it can to help farmers survive."
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I'm afraid I don't get it. What's wrong with small family farms supplementing their income by legally selling milk directly from their farm?
Customers are willing to pay a premium for raw milk. That's how business works in this country. Nobody is holding a gun to their head and forcing them to pay higher prices. This enables struggling, small farms to continue to farm. More power to 'em.
Do you offer your own services free of charge? I didn't think so. So I guess you're "all about the money" too.
D.N. said "What's wrong with small family farms supplementing their income by legally selling milk" - Nothing. The post actually compliments the family farmers for being honest about their intentions to profit from the sale of raw milk, instead of making it sound like a issue related to freedom, liberty, or perceived health benefits, as other raw-milk proponents often do.
K.H. said "Do you offer your own services free of charge? I didn't think so." - This sounds like a false statement to me. Are you suggesting that voluntary donations (to iFSN) are equivalent to purchasing goods and services (raw milk)? All of the educational materials produced by the iFSN that I've seen are freely available. I've personally never paid a cent for the services offered by this organization (sorry Doug). I doubt that it would be feasible for the family farmers to adopt a similar business model.
the "raw milk ninja" begins his speech with how much he can charge for raw milk. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6AyznQDOfM
Is it passion for the product or the niche market?
I realize those that study science will tell me it is wrong to drink raw milk because of the Potential Risk of getting sick. I think the Big Milk Producers don't want raw milk to be sold by the little farmer as it would take away from their business. Amish communities I'm sure drink raw milk with no illness, they've been doing it for years probably. Let the small farmer advertise he is selling raw milk, I'm sure it would be tested? The Donut Fryer, Retired