When Georgia’s Department of Agriculture held its hearing a couple weeks ago on a proposal to require that all raw milk be dyed charcoal, raw-goat-milk producer Bob Hayles was the first to stand up and speak out against the regulation. Dozens of others followed him, and the agriculture agency decided shortly after the session not to implement the regulation.
While many farmers and consumers feel they scored a major victory, Bob doesn’t agree. “Everyone thinks we won something important. But all we won was a battle, and it was a small battle.”
The event convinced him that a much more aggressive effort will be required to retain and extend our right to raw milk, and that the best way for him to do his part is via civil disobedience. “I’m not following the law,” he says, which in Georgia allows raw milk sales only for pets.
He began his civil disobedience in recent weeks, by not including required labels on his milk stating it is “not fit for human consumption.”
Next, “I will not renew my license” by the end of this year to sell raw milk as pet food.
Hayles is a 52-year-old former corporate executive who moved to his farm, Thornberry Village Homestead in Jasper, 60 miles north of Atlanta, four years ago, to “get the hell away” from corporate life.
“I knew people pay $10 a gallon for goat’s milk, and I figured I could do that.” He now sells all the milk he produces by milking between 10 and 25 of his goats. “If I had 100 goats, I could sell every drop I produce,” he says, adding that he doesn’t want to get that big. He also realizes that his business is more than a business.
He’s become convinced that the governmental assault on raw milk “will pretty soon become an all-or-nothing thing. Someone is going to win the war. Either raw milk producers will be run out or laws will be passed legalizing what we do.”
Given the legal and regulatory assault on raw milk going on not only in Georgia, but in California, New York, Pennsylvania, and other states, he has concluded that civil disobedience is the best way to draw attention to the issue. “There have to be people on the producer side willing to commit civil disobedence, just like Rosa Parks did. Otherwise, we will fail, and there will be no raw milk.”
The only hope is to convince politicians that our right to consume raw milk has broad popular support. He points out that Georgia’s agriculture commissioner, Tommy Irvin, has been in elective office 47 years (and according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture is “is the longest serving statewide official in Georgia as well as in the United States”). While he’s a staunch opponent of raw milk, he quickly decided against the dye proposal when he saw all the opponents, says Bob. The same thing has to happen in other places. “Mark McAfee is just one person. I am just one person.”
Consumers “have to be willing to put forth an effort.” This means “writing their legislators over and over.” It means “talking up raw milk at church. The Bible talks about the land of milk and honey. You can be sure that wasn’t pasteurized milk.”
Bob knows something about politics, having run for city council at the age of 17, and later for county commissioner—both unsuccessful efforts.
But this is much different, he ventures. “It’s all about people’s rights. In some towns in California, people want to ban McDonald’s. They want to ban people’s rights. That’s B.S. If you want to consume a Big Mac, you should have that right.”
Bob has obviously thought very seriously about the step he is taking. He has become convinced that, like many of us who support raw milk, that this issue is about fundamental human rights.
"At some point, people have to realize that throwing tea in a harbor was not necessarily a one-time thing."
***
I was very touched by the heart-felt condolences expressed on my previous posting about my uncle. The listing of authors who have touched us was intriguing. Amazing how much our thinking can be affected by just one or a few individuals. I’ve come to realize as well that sometimes our best teachers are closer to us than we realize. And sometimes appear in the most unexpected places or when we least expect them. And that we may not appreciate their lessons until much later than we wish.
Of late, I have been learning huge amounts from people like Bob Hayles, Barabara Smith, Mark Nolt, Greg Niewendorp, Andrea Elliott, Mark McAfee, and Richard Hebron (among others) about handling fear and uncertainty in the face of seemingly overwhelming force. (If any names are unfamiliar, you can do a search on this blog for information on them.)
The rest of the farmers are still here, milking everyday so that their customers wont have their milk supply interrupted.
While there is much to be said for the courage and conviction that Bob has, its important to realize that this movement needs diversity of tact. There is a great need for people like him, Greg, Mark and others to maintain a high profile and keep our issue in the forefront of the public. This need however rivals the need for others to maintain a lower profile, and to not attract attention, so that the milk may continue to flow. Both are important.
Bob has made the decision, after no doubt much deliberation, to come out and thumb his nose at the regulatory agencies and statutes. Good on him, its thinking like that which created this great country. By exposing himself as a target though, he has placed himself squarely in the sights of the State, and jeopardized the flow of milk to his customers. Now Im sure he understands this, and is willing to take the risk, for the gain he might get in the long run, could be worth it. And he is not alone in debating which direction action should take.but each farmer and each state has a different climate that one must endure. There are many out here that are willing to go to jail (or financial ruin) to supply raw milk to consumers.but most of them arent standing up and asking for it.
The heaviesthe farmers that are coming out, are crucial to the advancement of our agenda.but it will be the consumers, the customers who know the difference that raw milk can make, that will decide the fate of the pure stuff we love. Its a numbers game, and right or wrong has very little to do with it. It comes down to donations (for legal fees) and votes. There just arent enough farmers.
Its never out of place to plug the FTCLDF. Folks in Georgia might want to support it heavily.because my guess is that the State officials in Georgia wont like being called out and embarrassedand the more of a squeak Bob makes, the more likely theyll try to grease him quiet. I could be wrong though, and this might just be the impetus that is needed for a change for raw milk in Georgia.but since when have you known State Ag officials to do the right thing (for the right reasons) and not act like thwarted children.
My thoughts and prayers are with Bob. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Pushing the issue is what some need to do. Keep watching, thisll get more interesting.
"The rest of the farmers are still here, milking everyday so that their customers wont have their milk supply interrupted."
As am I. My customers supply won’t be interrupted if the state does one simple thing…recognize a consumer’s right to make their own nutrition choices rather than having what you eat being decided by the nanny state. It really is just that simple.
"While there is much to be said for the courage and conviction that Bob has, its important to realize that this movement needs diversity of tact."
I do disagree with this, though my disagreement is more of semantics than intended meaning.
I feel the tactics must be laser focused on one thing and one thing only…the rights of people to make their own nutritional choices without having them dictated by government. That’s it, period…the rights of the citizens of this great country being greater than the rights of government to micromanage us to the point of telling us what we can choose for nutrition and what we cannot.
If you stop and think about it you will realize that it is diversity of tactics that has us in this war to start with…the government’s diversity of tactics that we play into. Think of how many different excuses the government comes up with to excuse abridging our rights on this issue. They will bring up the triple bogeymen of salmonella, listeria, and E Coli…and some of us go off looking for statistics to refute those scare tactics. When we get back with the proof, we find that the argument has changed…now it’s concerning NAIS and the general protection of the food supply…so off we trudge to gather our arguments against that red herring, only to find that when we return the argument has changed yet again.
We’ve got to quit playing their game, and make them play ours, and ours is simple and unarguable. We have the right to make our own nutritional choices. We need to stay laser focused on that.
Now, with that said, diversity has a place on our side in this war. Diversity of direction in asserting…demanding…that right. To paraphrase longtime Chicago mayor Richard Daly, hit them hard and hit them often…letters to the editor, to your state representatives, to your state ag department or whatever department regulates milk in your state. I agree that numbers count and there are FAR more consumers than farmers and those consumers need to be heard loudly and often and from a diverse number of directions.
"Bob has made the decision, after no doubt much deliberation, to come out and thumb his nose at the regulatory agencies and statutes. "
Not exactly.
I don’t see myself as "thumbing my nose" at the regulatory agencies and statutes". I am simply exercising what I consider to be my rights, granted by God and the constitution. I’m not looking for a fight, I’m looking for those rights.
With that said, I do follow my late father’s advise, "Son, don’t go starting fights, but be very willing to finish them." I don’t, and I am.
".but each farmer and each state has a different climate that one must endure. There are many out here that are willing to go to jail (or financial ruin) to supply raw milk to consumers.but most of them arent standing up and asking for it."
No…in different states you see the diversity of tactics that I mentioned earlier that are used against raw milk and other nutrient dense foods, but it all comes from the same perspective…government’s desire to control every aspect of out lives, including nutritional choices. Also, I am not "standing up and asking for "it"". I’m a small time subsistance farmer producing a wholesome product who is willing to fight for the right to do just that if I must, but only if I must.
"The heaviesthe farmers that are coming out, are crucial to the advancement of our agenda.but it will be the consumers, the customers who know the difference that raw milk can make, that will decide the fate of the pure stuff we love. Its a numbers game, and right or wrong has very little to do with it. It comes down to donations (for legal fees) and votes. There just arent enough farmers."
Absolutely. That is why consumers MUST keep the pressure on elected officials OFTEN. If one is going to write one letter and think they have done what is needed…don’t bother. Write your elected officials…and letters to the editor…and the elected officials AGAIN…keep the pressure on because it’s all they understand. I personally set aside 3AM to 5AM EVERY Monday for writing those letters.
"Its never out of place to plug the FTCLDF. Folks in Georgia might want to support it heavily"
We do. Georgia has more FTCLDF members than any other state by far. I wish other states would catch up…
".because my guess is that the State officials in Georgia wont like being called out and embarrassedand the more of a squeak Bob makes, the more likely theyll try to grease him quiet."
It is not my intention to embarrass anyone. It is my intention to secure my rights to sell a product I produce, and to secure the rights of the consuming public to make their own nutritional choices. Should the state decide otherwise, and feel I am trying to "call them out" and embarrass them, shame on them for their childish belief. I’m not trying to start a schoolyard fight.
"…but since when have you known State Ag officials to do the right thing (for the right reasons) and not act like thwarted children."
There is a first time for everything. We can only hope it will happen here and now.
"My thoughts and prayers are with Bob. "
And they are very much appreciated. Prayer is a very powerful force.
Bob Hayles
Thornberry Village Homestead
Jasper, Ga
Thornberry Village Homestead…owned by God, managed by Bob and family.
I think we agree on all of it. I do confess to not knowing your intimate motivation for the lightning rod impersonation, but Im sure you understand the terrain of what lies ahead for you. Standing up and letting them know you are not going to follow the rules is brave. There is much to be gained from it, and weathering the storm of State retribution can result in being stronger and further ahead in the struggle. History has shown that sometimes the State can be provoked into correct action.
But it is not necessary tocome out however, to not follow their rules. Many are milking incognito, and the white market that exists for raw milk in this country is larger than anyone realizes.especially in states where the regulations are the strictest. Thousands of gallons of un-officially produced milk are drank every day.produced by farmers that arent on the 6 oclock news.
The faith that you have, as evidenced by your decision, in the possibility of statewide change, will be your strongest asset. Hopefully it will be enough to allow for materialization of the reality you envision.
The point I was trying to convey though, was that this is a consumers fight. This is a battle that will be won with armies of raw milk drinkers standing up and letting their officials know they want the choice to have it. One farmer taking a stand is great, but 50 consumers being active in the movement is more effective. A few farmers going public with their intent to sell raw milk is goodtheir 200 customers calling their state regulatory agency or their state representatives is even greater. One farmer joining the FTCLDF for 125 big ones is fantastic, 100 consumers joining for 40 is even better.
Raw milk drinkers need to be active.if their supply is to be there in the future.especially in those backwards states. It behooves every raw milk producer in the country to encourage active involvement with the movement from their customers. There are plenty of vehicles, state and national organizations that are working towards the end. It is my hope that your action will spur even more raw milk drinkers to pick up the torch and do more. It is also my hope that this conversation will motivate some of the blog readers to do the same.
The eyes of the raw milk nation are upon you Bob, and were behind you every step of the way.
You have no idea how touched I am by reading this. It’s incredible!! Let me give you a little background on me, and then I need some advice, on how a consumer like me can help (besides writing letters, which is of course important)
I’m married to a soldier, so we move around a lot. But when I was very little, my parents and siblings and I lived in a rural community in Illinois, where there was a little farmer who sold all the neighbors their milk. And it was very very good, very healthy, and I’ll never forget how fun it was to go see the farm and the cows. But then I went off to college, my father passed away, and I joined the military to pay off my bills and finish my education. Got married, went to war, etc. Never has it been easy for me to find raw milk, as I’ve always lived in military type locations, and there aren’t any farmers nearby, and I’m always a newbie every 4 years or so in a town I know nothing about. It’s been SO hard to find all these incognito farmers for me, and I need help.
Well, finally on a local "moms chat room" someone in my town where I live now said they were looking for others to join a co-op that specializes in whole grains, soaps, etc, raw milk for pets, percentages of beef, etc. So I joined the co-op, but come to find out that the co-op is located over 100 miles away and that they refuse to tell us about the farm they get the milk and beef from, other than it is another 100 miles away continuing in the same direction, because it is sold for pets only and the co-op owner doesn’t want to get the farmer in trouble. I just bought 1 gallon and of course loved it, but I am limited to about 3 gallons every 2 weeks. I WANT MORE !!! And now I want to start my own co-op and do this, without getting shut down myself or getting the farmer in trouble, if I can even FIND a dairy farmer nearby.
Maybe I should put fliers out to veterinarians first ?? And ask them if they’d be willing to buy some? My reasoning is that I just KNOW if more people would try raw milk, they would buy it!!! And then there are a few stores who sell the ingredients needed for making cheese, wine, etc. And I know they have a ton of customers who just use store-bought milk to make their cheeses. These store owners said they would be willing to put out my co-op newsletter once I got started. Do you think I should have a lawyer before I begin all this?
Is this feasible? The co-op I belong to is limiting us because we are not local to her co-op and she wants us to go thru her for her cut. Plus, her truck can only hold so many coolers, and her policy is ‘first-come, first serve’ which means her locals get it first. She did state that the farmer would deliver to us if we could get over 100 gallons ordered. But I’m at the point where I want more milk for myself, and I want to try my hand at cheese making, maybe eventually for a home-based business.
I think I could drum up enough demand for not only the raw-milk, but other organic and locally produced foods also, as there isn’t a place locally that has this, other than a very small and very expensive retail co-op in the downtown area.
Once I get 100 or so customers or members, then I can at least do my part in getting them to join in and help keep the pressure on for demanding our rights to eat what we choose to eat.
Thank you so much for your posting and I am going to join you, as a consumer who wants to make a difference in helping you wonderful raw farmers!!
May God Bless you guys and Keep You Safe in your journeys!!
The best piece of advice that I can give you is to contact the Weston A Price Foundation and talk to some of their chapter leaders. The most effective mechanism in the movement are these noble people, and the job they do. By maintaining a higher profile, they act as a focal point, and their connecting raw milk consumers with suppliers has allowed raw milk consumption to blossom. Many new communities based on healthy food choice, have been established around them. Spreading the word through education, they are the foundation on which this movement has been built.
Before jumping into it, it would be good to get an idea of what it entails.the demands on time etc. By talking with people that are doing it, especially with any that might be in your state, youd get a better notion of how to go about it. You might find a closer supplier too.
While the raw milk is central, many of these folks coordinate other produce. I bet there is someone nearby, that can help you.
Heres the link for the list
http://www.westonaprice.org/localchapters/index.html
There cant be enough of these leaders in this country.and every community should have at least one!
Its encouraging to read your post. The vision that you have is exciting, and shared by too few. People who want to make a difference, usually do! Go get that dream, and let us know how it goes.
I’m so happy you want to give me a home in raw milk. My favorite targets are the weak and infirm, like cancer patients, babies and old folks. Read all about my exploits here:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1370/is_v20/ai_4226847