3,361,596 members
12,339,752 petition signatures
$17,571,785,510 diverted from Big Pharma
Organic Family Dairies Being Crushed by Rogue Factory Farms (PR)
WASHINGTON, DC: Family farmers from around the country, who produce organic milk, are petitioning president Obama, and the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), for the swift adoption of new strict rulemaking that will rein in the abuses of a handful of factory farms they claim are violating both the spirit and letter of the federal organic law.
The pending rewrite of the organic livestock standards, with an emphasis on assuring compliance with provisions that require that ruminants, like dairy cows, be grazed, is currently under review at OMB, where the administration is being heavily lobbied by industrial farming interests to water down the rules. To meet the explosive growth in the organic industry, over the last five years, a number of large industrial dairies, milking as many as 7200 cows, have exploited the stellar reputation that organic dairy products have earned in the eyes of consumers who are looking for safer and more nutritious food for their families.
“With the flattening of demand for organic food, these giant dairies have flooded the market with cheap milk that is now crushing the family farmers who have built this industry,” said Mark Kastel, Senior Farm Policy Analyst at The Cornucopia Institute. “These CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations) are anathema to organic consumers investing in a more environmentally sensitive approach to food production and humane animal husbandry. Ironically, one of the reasons they are willing to pay extra for organic milk is they think that the farmers who produce it are being fairly treated.”
The current surplus of organic milk, caused by factory farms, has forced prices down for family farmers. Sadly, there have been reports around the country of a number of suicides of both conventional and organic dairy producers. Some organic farmers are now facing foreclosure, a stark contrast to the economic promise of organics over the past two decades of growth.
Organic farmers are particularly resentful of two corporate players that heavily lobbied the USDA during both the Bush and Obama administrations, attempting to weaken regulatory language that requires dairy cows to be managed in a way that promotes their natural instinctive behaviors, including grazing on open pastures rather than spending most of their lives confined in barns and dirt feedlots.
The largest villain, in the eyes of dairy farmers, is Aurora Dairy. The $100 million corporation owns five “factory farms,” managing thousands of cows each, in arid regions of Texas and Colorado. Owning its own manufacturing plant, Aurora packages and ships milk for sale as storebrand products at Wal-Mart and a number of leading supermarket chains. Aurora’s factory farm milk reaches every corner of this country, undercutting ethical farmers and their marketing partners.
“Although the president of Aurora Dairy, Mark Retzloff, has heavily contributed to the Democratic Party, President Obama, and Tom Vilsack, former Iowa governor who is now USDA Secretary, we trust that the current administration will focus on the suspect practices of his company rather than their past financial and political support,” Kastel stated.
In what has been described as the largest scandal in the history of the organic industry, in 2007, the USDA found that Aurora had “willfully” violated 14 tenets of the federal organic law including confining their animals, instead of grazing, and bringing illegal conventional cows into their factory farm operations.
The Bush administration let Aurora off without a cent in fines, instead placing the company on a one-year probation. Since then, 19 class-action lawsuits by consumers, charging Aurora with consumer fraud, has been working its way through the federal court system.
More disturbing to many organic consumers and farmers alike, especially in California, is the revelation that a previously respected and popular organic brand, Straus Dairy, has actively partnered with Aurora in attempting to scuttle enforcement of the pasture requirements for organic cattle under evaluation by the OMB.
“Albert Straus has repeatedly stated in public, and now is petitioning the Obama administration, claiming that it’s impossible in his environment, north of San Francisco, to comply with the new proposed federal requirements for pasturing his cattle,” said certified organic dairy producer John Mattos, who farms about 10 miles further north of the Straus operation in Sonoma County. Mattos is a member-owner of Organic Valley, a cooperative of family farmers that competes with Straus.
Mattos purposely chose to milk Jerseys, and Jersey crossbreeds, instead of the more productive and more common Holsteins, because they thrive when grazing in more marginal areas. “I graze 5 1/2 months a year, my cows are outside year round, I have no problems with the proposed standards,” Mattos affirmed.
There were no cows out on pasture at the Straus dairy when it was observed by Kastel when he visited the Straus operation, and other area dairy farms, in 2008.
“It is grossly unfair that just a handful of dairies, for selfish reasons, are trying to derail strict enforcement,” said Bob Camozzi, an organic farmer who also ships his milk to Clover Stornetta, another local North Coast California dairy brand.
“Our farmers are committed to maximizing pasture consumption by our cattle due to the economic benefits, the profoundly positive impact it has on the health of the animals and the superior nutrients that are contained in pasture-based organic milk,” Camozzi explained.
Meeting with and lobbying the OMB in Washington, along with Aurora, is not the first time Albert Straus has angered other members of the organic dairy community by speaking against strict enforcement of organic dairy regulations.
“Albert has portrayed his brand as coming from his small family farm. But as his brand succeeded and grew in the marketplace, he apparently added too many cows to be grazed on the available land he owns and then he further grew his operation by buying from other area farmers,” said Tony Azevedo, a San Joaquin Valley dairyman and president of the Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance. “It’s a shame that he chooses not to pasture on a regular basis.”
“It would be a national scandal, as some of us face losing our farms due to the industrial dairy scofflaws, if the Obama administration sides with the ‘bad actors’ in our industry,” affirmed Bruce Drinkman, an organic dairy farmer from Glenwood City, Wisconsin, who milks 55 cows. “We are in dire financial straits because of the same kind of unethical competition from factory farms that put so many of our conventional neighbors out of business. We need the President and the USDA on our side!”
http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Politics/Politics/organic_family_dairies_being_crushed_by_rogue_factory_farms_2401.html
We get our milk from a local farmer who uses organic standards wrt his Jersey cows. The raw milk is fabulous, way beyond supermarket milk. We drive more than 60 miles to get it but it is worth every penny. His operation is feeling pressure from the state (MO) but so far he is playing by their rules. My former source (used Jerseys also) gave up a couple years ago even though he had a thriving business. If people only knew just how great raw milk from pasture fed cows was they would switch immediately even though it is more than twice as expensive as the subsidized pus they now buy in supermarkets. The hard working small farmers would have a lot more popular support. It is a fact that profits are more important than people’s health in corporatized America.
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Jenna Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
I would love to get raw, grass fed cow’s milk, but here in Hawaii it is illegal. It is so frustrating that the government can control what I am allowed to ingest.
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Doug Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Jenna,
You might look in to what is called a cowshare program. Even though raw milk is illegal to sell, if you “own” a cow, or portion of a cow, you can do what you want with the milk.
We are participating in a cowshare program here in Colorado and we get whole raw milk and yogurt that is wonderful.
You can’t buy it in the stores!
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Gramma Elaine Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 6:03 pm
To Jenna: check with Romero 808-333-0101; Shanahan 808-332-0727; Fang Cai 808-225-1539. Found in 2008 edition Wise Traditions (Weston A. Price Foundation). These chapters are not listed any longer on the website http://www.realmilk.com but maybe they could offer some advice.
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Charge Factory Farms for the damage they do to the environment while you’re at it!
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I buy organic animal products whenever I can afford in part because I know that the animals have been treaded humanely and they can live their lives as free to their natural instinct as possible. That means, cows grazing and chickens scratching. Keep organic honest!
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There needs to be proper regulation to insure organic is organic and that small dairy farms can be in business. As for the suicides–these weak minded fools who murdered themselves are responsible for their own actions–their foolish actions against themselves made things worse!
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Dominique Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 9:11 am
Oh! Where do you get such awful judgments on desperate people’s actions? Who are you to dare call people forced into bankruptcy ” weak-minded fools”? You must have a heart of stone… or not know what an overwhelming sickness depression is. Hurray for compassion and please try to step out of your black and white world, and mental rigidity. Are you trying to express a religious position? All about tolerance and understanding others?
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I would love to be able to buy raw milk and support local farmers. It is so disheartening to read what is happening in the “organic farming” industry. Greed is so powerful. Who can we write,fax,call to express our support for the upholding of the truly organic farming industry.
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Roger Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 4:26 pm
If you are looking for Raw Dairy products you can go to Realmilk.com it lists sources in most states
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Factory farms are one of our health problems. Our country’s low standing in the world’s wealthiest nations is definitely related to our industrialized food production. That includes milk which is produced with unnatural hormones and cattle that are not pastured on natural, uncontaminated fields.
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Now I’m angry — Straus is the MOST expensive organic milk in my local health food store; over $6 for a half gallon! And that’s crap that he says he can’t comply…well then maybe you have too many cows and need to downsize your operation.
It IS possible to comply.
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I actually grew up on a New England dairy farm and never had processed milk until I went to school. The first time the teacher gave me a carton of milk I didn’t know what it was and when I tasted it I told her “that’s not milk” and refused to drink it! All those years of raw milk didn’t hurt me any and it wasn’t filled with antibiotics or growth hormones.
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It is a shame that the people that are supposed to represent the will of the people sell their souls for the almighty dollar. They are all the same. democrat and republican. They just put their cronies in power to collect the cash.
Sad really..buy local as much as possible!
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Yes, there are eeeeevil people in this world who’ll do anything for a profit!
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I stopped buying the homogenized/pasturized garbage they sell for “milk” years ago. The ultrasound homogenization allowes the micro globules of fat to enter the bloodstream where it fouls everything it contacts! That “milk” will actually kill any calf it is given to!!! It is an unnatural, man-made product that people should not drink… if they want to remain healthy. JUST STOP BUYING IT. BUY ORGANIC, LIVE LONG, AND PROSPER!
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charles otter mcsweeney Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:23 pm
hal, your absolutely right, but i think you missed the point. people are being mislead when they “buy organic”, because it’s not realy organic when the standards aren’t followed. i’m been spending extra buying strauss, but now find they aren’t following the organic standards. i plan to find and invest in a cowshare!
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It is an abomination that the govt sides with these corporate behomoths… they are so *&))** stupid that they inhibit supplies of truly healthy foods, forcing chemically dangerous tainted foods on us.. wonder why so many Americans are sick and then want to force crappy National health care…
We have unscrupulous morons for leaders that only care about $$$$ and the seedy lives they lead behind ‘closed’ doors! Bastards all of them !
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I am so damn tired of having my health and welfare dictated to by an uncaring money grubing bunch of political assses and lying, cheating corporate jerk offs. If it says organic; I want it to be organic. If I am willing to pay organic prices; I want it to be organic. Every sin comes back to the worst sin; greed. Think about it. It all comes back to greed. Damn them all.
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after watching the segment last nite on niteline about the horrible treatment of cows in large milk factories, which i compare to the concentration camps during the holocost i refuse to drink milk or buy milk products from any place unless i personally verify that the animals are being treated humanely. we need strict laws and enforcement of those laws and to protect the small milk farms. why doesn’t it surprise me that bush did nothing about the violations. why do we always have to follow the money to find out the reasons. pres obama why are there still lobbyist’s in washington. didnn’t you campaign against it. oh well, nothing changes with the big guns. by the way, i didn’t watch your speech tonite, same old bull …. but you don’t care, do you?
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after watching the segment last nite on niteline about the horrible treatment of cows in large milk factories, which i compare to the concentration camps during the hollocost i refuse to drink milk or buy milk products from any place unless i personally verify that the animals are being treated humanely. we need strict laws and enforcement of those laws and to protect the small milk farms. why doesn’t it surprise me that bush did nothing about the violations. why do we always have to follow the money to find out the reasons. pres obama why are there still lobbyist’s in washington. didnn’t you campaign against it. oh well, nothing changes with the big guns. by the way, i didn’t watch your speech tonite, same old bull …. but you don’t care, do you?
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THE COUNTRY NEEDS TO UNITE AND TAKE THE PLACE OF THAT WHICH IS RUINING THIS COUNTRY AND DENYING OUR RIGHTS TO CHOOSE. INSTEAD OF CHOICE WE GET GMO, ANTIBIOTICS, HORMONES, GARBAGE FOOD WHICH DENIES US THE RIGHT TO OUR HEALTH AND THIS IS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY.
POPULATION CONTROL WITH THE INITIAL GOAL OF CAPITALISTIC GREED SATISFACTION MAKES THIS COUNTRY NO BETTER THAN CHINA WHO PUTS DANGEROUS THINGS IN FOOD TO MIMIC PROTEIN, ETC. THE PEOPLE OF THE US MUST UNITE AND TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY!
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Dean is right. Raw milk is fabulous, cow or goat. The real power, is in our hands. There are more of us than them. Yes, it is twice the $. But if we all committed to even just this one act of consciousness, think what it could change. Even, perhaps the $ on organic would decrease. Some times we have to weigh our choices, what is more important in the long run? Most of us would answer our health. A bonus benefit would be, we would be adding a vibration of kindness to the consciousness of the world. Kindness to ourselves and to the planet.
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I remember the days I spend on my uncles farm in the 50s and 60’s as I grew up. The dairy cows were healthy and grazed all day and ate grass. The Average age of a cow was 12 years old. Now on factory farms the average age is 4 years old.
We need to stop the abuse of these wonder animals that give us such great nutrition .
A happy health cow will give happy healthy milk.
The factory farms need to be regulate and more laws need to be written and enforced!!!
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this is a crime against humanity. One day these people will gat what they deserve.
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One of our regular milk customers sent this article to us.
It only reinforces our thoughts of how spoiled we, personally, are spoiled. I say that, because we have grown our own vegetables for years, we raise our own beef and pork and have chickens to provide us with fresh brown eggs. Yes, we live on a farm, but you should know…we only own 2 ACRES. We are not a HUGE farm. We have always believed in knowing where your food comes from, how it was raised and what or what did NOT go into producing it. When our family cow died a couple years ago, we began getting our milk from a christian family owned farm that is 40 miles away. In that 2 years, we have seen the awareness of our community as they seek us out for the RAW milk. I also add that we do not advertise. We now serve over 60 families. This has been due to word of mouth only.
You should note this, ORGANIC is pasturerized milk, RAW milk is milk in it’s purest form. There IS a difference. You pay $6 a half gallon for Organic and you are paying for that name. You may by paying for something you think you’re getting but are not.
The dairy,”Pot O Gold”, has just over 50 jerseys. They bottle right there on the farm. I feel for those of you who cannot purchase raw milk and desire it. We in Penna. are fortunate….at the moment. Knowing the government, that could change at any time.
That’s my 2 cents.
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