Ontario dairy farmer Michael Schmidt ended his hunger strike more than a week ago, but he just ate his first solid food yesterday, at the banquet dinner of the Weston A. Price Foundation’s Wise Traditions Conference in Dallas.
He didn’t partake in the smoked sable, pot roast, vegetables and poached pears with carob sauce gobbled up by the 1,300 conference participants. After a week of just sipping on vegetable broth because he had no appetite, Schmidt finally felt well enough to have some raw steak and butter—suggested fare from several medical practitioners who have been consulting with Schmidt on getting back into a regular eating routine.
Michael Schmidt“I didn’t feel like eating food,” he told me this morning. “Last night at the banquet was the first time I began to feel like eating.”
The practitioners advising him were concerned the vegetable broth might be depleting his body even more than not eating. “It was now approaching the seventh week” without food, he explained. “I didn’t realize how much you push your body into a real stress situation. There is a tipping point if you don’t deal with it.”
The food he had last evening agreed with him, and he said he felt stronger. “It seems as if I am at a good point.”
Schmidt said he is also convinced his meeting with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty occurred primarily because of the special efforts of several raw milk mothers in Ontario. He’s heard from several mothers who said they had emotional conversations with McGuinty’s staff members, imploring the political leader to meet with Schmidt. “The biggest influence came from mothers who phoned his office and started crying to the staff people” about the possibility of losing both Schmidt and their raw milk. “The staff people couldn’t take the pressure any more” and implored their boss to grant Schmidt an audience.
In eleven days, on November 24, Schmidt goes from the proverbial frying pan into the fire, when he is sentenced by an Ontario judge based on his conviction of violating the province’s dairy laws by making raw milk available to his herdshare members. True to form, Schmidt welcomes the event, since he wants to see how the prosecutors handle the required victim-impact statements. These tend to be emotional explanations from victims of violence or fraud as to how their lives have been hurt or ruined.
The “victims” in this situation are raw milk drinkers, none of whom have been made ill or otherwise experienced adverse effects. Quite the opposite, says Schmidt “Judge (Peter) Tetley now has to rule on something with no victim. They have nothing. From a legal principle, someone has to be damaged.”
Coincidentally, there will be rallies in support of raw milk taking place in nine cities across Canada the day before the sentencing, November 23, marking the fifth anniversary of the most recent police and regulator raid on Schmidt’s dairy.
In the meantime, Schmidt is trying to get back into the everyday rhythm of life following his 37-day hunger strike. “It affected me more after the fact whe I realized the impact. Oh my God, I can plan my life.”
He also has peace in his home again. “My wife got increasingly distressed” as the hunger strike went on. “She didn’t tell me to stop it, but she was upset. That was very difficult for me, to see how it stressed other people out.”
But most significant, “It helped to connect them to the seriousness of the situation. How much more serious does it have to get than the situation in California (with Rawesome) where you have inspectors coming in and discarding the food.”
***
The Raw Milk Institute had its first exposure to prime time over this past weekend, at the Weston A. Price Foundation’s Wise Traditions Conference.
Mark McAfee explains RAWMI to attendees at the Wise Traditions Conference organized by the Weston A. Price FoundationThe raw milk safety and standards-setting organization—the brainchild of Organic Pastures Dairy Co. owner Mark McAfee—has been a source of controversy on this blog in recent months, even before it has announced its safety standards and other aspects of its organizational structure. According to McAfee, who set up and hosted a slick-looking booth in a prime location of the Wise Traditions conference site, it was all peaches and cream. Just one farmer expressed serious misgivings about being represented by RAWMI, according to McAfee.
By the end of Sunday’s main conference, RAWMI had signed up more than 500 consumer members, who had committed to dues of $10 per month. McAfee added, “We have had interest from six farmers who have filled out our forms” to become certified as RAWMI-approved.
The certification process will be modeled on that used by Cow Share Canada Inc., a standard-setting organization of raw dairy producers organized by Ontario dairy farmer Michael Schmidt. Cow Share Canada has trained about 40 dairy farmers over the last two years, and accredited six, with six more that have nearly completed their accreditation, according to Schmidt.
McAfee and Schmidt agreed during the weekend to join forces and create The North American Raw Milk Alliance.
Schmidt said he decided to join forces with McAfee after becoming convinced he was serious about addressing the concerns of smaller producers. “I read carefully the concerns people expressed on your blog,” Schmidt explained. “There is the fear about small operations.”
Schmidt said he and McAfee are still working out the details of how the North American Raw Milk Alliance will operate in practice. According to Schmidt, “There is the issue of some kind of national common standards which would help to establish the credibility that we are as serious about food safety as we are.” The idea is to “establish these quality guidelines and have them as our quality seal rather than as our defense mechanism. The debate needs to change.”
McAfee, for his part, said RAWMI will focus on developing size-based quality and safety standards, based on Cow Share Canada’s approach. “The smaller you are, the less frequent the testing. It’s all size appropriate.
He said he plans to have his Organic Pastures Dairy Co. and RAWMI operating as completely separate entities. He also expects RAWMI will help its members work out disputes that may come up with regulators. “I see us as being preventively oriented,” he said, helping farms reduce the likelihood of running afoul of regulators. The best hope for farmers “is to be able to show a food safety plan that is being followed, and test readings on the web site” within RAWMI-recommended ranges.
RAWMI’s proposed standards for coliforms and standard plate count are currently under review by its Advisory Council, and should be released later this coming week, McAfee said.
***
The Wise Traditions Conference is well known for its great food. Usually, the conference features much locally-grown food, but that wasn’t the case this year. Judith McGeary of the Texas-based Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance announced at the Saturday evening banquet that most of this conference’s food had to be brought in from out of state this year because of the devastating effects of a long-term drought in Texas. “Sadly, Texas farmers couldn’t produce enough food for this conference,” she said. Many are on the verge of being forced out of business, she noted.
Welcome from Dallas. What a great weekend. What a difference 10 years makes. The rawmilk movement has made real progress
The Common Standards have been vetted through the Advisory council and will be posted next week. RAWMI has found it's base and is making careful diligent foundational steps to assure broad acceptance. Our Alliance with Cow Share Canada brings a Common Voice for raw milk producers for all of North America.
This conference was the galvanizing point in the real action towards the realization of a broadly shared goal of universal access to safe raw milk for all consumers.
It is good to see Michael eating.
I have never been hugged by more people at one place in life.
To quote Michael: the raw milk battle is a war. But it is about love….because raw milk is love!
Fortunately, common standards for raw milk production have been established through Codex Alimentarius, and it has been established that RAWMI will be using standards based on Codex.
McAfee and Schmidt agreed during the weekend to join forces and create The North American Raw Milk Alliance.
Why is it called the North American Raw Milk Alliance when Mexican representation is clearly missing? Is it because this name best fits into Codex standards and Codex standards will be fully implemented under the North American Union, of which the U.S., Canada and Mexico are already members?
I askhow does this third party organization RAWMI – propose to create common standards across two countries that have different sets of laws, different sets of food safety standards, etc., without working in conjunction with a higher legal authority which bridges the two like Codex, which is a United Nations policy? My answerit cant.
RAWMI had signed up more than 500 consumer members, who had committed to dues of $10 per month.
500 consumers x $10/month x 12 months/year = $60,000 a yearfor what, exactly?
A man with a heart condition has been advised to eat meat and dairy as his first foods after his hunger strike? I thought it had been established that carbohydrates are the body's preferred fuel source, not fat or protein.
Best of luck to you, Michael, on your road back to health.
I would think that daily leading up to the day of sentencing would have a bigger impact and spread the word better.
"has been a source of controversy on this blog in recent months, even before it has announced its safety standards and other aspects of its organizational structure. "
Indeed, the "safety standards" keep getting pushed into the future and no one is privy to them….. Last I read, Mark was to announce them this past weekend. Also Mark has been vague and demeaning towards those who have the audacity to question him. That in itself alienates people.
Schmidt explained. There is the fear about small operations.
Michael, would you expound on this statement please? That way things may be clarified.
"The idea is to "establish these quality guidelines and have them as our quality seal rather than as our defense mechanism. The debate needs to change.
Worded this way is so much more positive than how it has been worded on this blog.
http://foodrightsalliance.ca/CowshareCanadaAppl.pdf
I would be more inclined to pay 1st $50 then $25 annually there after…… $10/month is a bit steep.
"Organic Pastures Dairy Co. and RAWMI operating as completely separate entities"
That way if one is sued, it probably won't affect the other.
ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/010/a1387e/a1387e00.pdf
Milk starts on page 191
Thanx Lola, for the food for thought.
In a previous post you said that Chris is high copper. This can lead to very serious mental issues later in his life, like psychosis/schizophrenia. You are very fortunate in finding out at an early age that he has the condition. Correcting it will most likely be necessary for the rest of his life.
Wilson of Analytical Research Labs has done a lot of work on the issue and states that a person should be treated if the zinc to copper ration drops below 6 to 1.
The condition is called Copper Toxicity Syndrome and my son is in the process of getting his copper levels corrected.
Copies of the RAWMI Common Stanards were freely distributed to all that wanted them at the WAP conference. We also invited comments from everyone prior to publishing next week. Small changes have been suggested and we are all very haapy with the comments and suggestions.
CODEX has zero to do with RAWMI or Cow Share Canada. Zero….nada
It is interesting that the EU allows raw milk and the FDA and Canada do not
If universal access to SAFE raw milk is going to be our goal, then universal simple Common Stanards will be part of that Vision. I have not yet met a mom or a child that does not embrace better access to safe high quality raw milk. It is understood that there will be some raw milk dairymen that want to hide. That do not want to show any one what they do. RAWMI is not for them. RAWMI is all about transparency, integrity, safety, building respected track records…..and about a common voice for raw milk
If RAWMI or Cow Share Canada scares you, i invite you to investigate and learn more.
The heart's preferred fuel is fat. It makes sense since the heart requires a high level of energy.
Many interesting and unfortunate similarities between Mark McAfee and Mark Shuttleworth regarding raw milk and free software, respectively:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/unity/+bug/882274
"The AMDR for carbohydrates is 45 to 65 percent of total calories."
(AMDR = Acceptable Macronutrient Density Range)
http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/html/chapter7.htm
"The roles of carbohydrate in the body includes providing energy for working muscles, providing fuel for the central nervous system, enabling fat metabolism, and preventing protein from being used as energy. Carbohydrate is the preferred source of energy or fuel for muscle contraction and biologic work."
"The minimum recommended intake of carbohydrates necessary for survival is 130 grams or 520 kcal per day."
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/nutrition/sport/carbohydrate.html
Great idea. Now would be a good time to get started on that.
After the 2006 E coli outbreak associated with OPDC products, OPDC was able to raise about $30K (according to Mark at the time) to help improve the political climate for raw milk in California. I don't know how it spent those consumer donations, but it was at the same time that the coliform legislation was "snuck through" the legislature. The $$ was obviously not spent on actually watching the political climate.
Hopefully the RAWMI money will be better spent, being so well separated from OPDC and all.
"Great idea. Now would be a good time to get started on that."
The fact that you or others do not have the data does not mean that it isn't the above things or that it is. Best thing to do is wait for it to come out in a finished form and then attack, I mean discuss it. 🙂
Our family, currently buys Raw milk in another state, knows our farmer, examined his farm and how he milks and handles his product. His decision on joining/not joining this group will have no impact on our continued patronage.
If RAWMI and OPDC weren't separated it would raise some serious issues. While others use this as an opportunity to take pot shots I, for one, appreciate this information as it was one of my questions.
"If RAWMI or Cow Share Canada scares you, "
No, it is not fear…it is trust. So far there has been no reason to trust tptb, and Mark, you have flipped-flopped and degraded those who have questioned you and those who opposed your words on this blog. You've been vague, you've twisted your own words, you've ignored questions, the list is long….Why should there be trust in what you say?
http://www.rawmilkireland.com/
The Irish govt is trying to ban raw milk
http://www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry/guidancenotes/hygguid/rawmilkcream
In England,North Ireland & Wales obtaining raw drinking milk isn't all that easy….In Scotland it has been banned for years.
http://www.clal.it/en/index.php?section=latte_europa
http://thebovine.wordpress.com/2011/03/01/polands-raw-milk-ban-sir-julian-rose/
Banned in Poland
We definitely agree.
We disagree that Amanda wasn't taking a subtle or not so subtle shot at Mark in her comment.
No big deal.
"Be my first farmer, Violet".
This is so very silly . . . and I don't think for a minute that he has ever really deeply read my posts or my blog . . . I don't produce RAW MILK!!!! It is a plan of mine to milk our Icelandic sheep in a few years but I am a CONSUMER of raw milk . . . have been for nearly 6 years now . . .
No farmers have yet signed up . . . 6 have taken a registration form . . . who are those six, Mark?
He gets so much press and attention . . . why?
Kind regards,
Violet
http://www.kilbyridgefarmmaine.blogspot.com
Were some of the raw milk/pasture raised meat farmers in my own foodshed invited to participate at the WAP convention?
I never got an invite . . . .even though I raise all my heritage breeds on grass and pasture with minimal inputs of grain (only poultry) . . . and I know the biggest farm in our area did not participate (I was at a yearly farm fall harvest ball on Saturday night).
We are listed on the "Local Harvest" website.
It is all about big $ now . . . I am sad to say.
Kind regards,
Violet
http://www.kilbyridgefarmmaine.blogspot.com
You seem quite intelligent so I want to know if you have read the bill that recently passed S-510. When you read this bill and see everything about the agriculture in this nation . . . do you really think that something like RAWMI . . . stands a chance against Dean or Hood . . . please be honest here. Mark thinks that he can be at the same table with them . . . I think he is wrong.
We need to vote those out that supported S-510. Those lawmakers are against local agriculture . . . and $60,000 is not going to even be a drop in the bucket . . . we need $600,000,000 at the minimum to go against the status quo.
Grassroots is the answer . . .to the monetary deficits . . . not some RAWMI certifier . . . .
Kind regards,
Violet
http://www.kilbyridgefarmmaine.blogspot.com
I cant thank you enough for the information about copper toxicity. I would love to hear what you are doing for your son. If you would like to talk, please feel free to email me at mmcgonigle11@verizon.net.
Thanks,
Mary
Chellie Pingree just recently sponsored the bill: Local Farms, Food, Jobs Act in House.
Sounds great!
But in reality (read the bill) just transfers some of that pork that was being spent on Big Ag to Small Ag . . . and gets us small producers hooked to the teat of government with more subsidies, loans and grants. . . .
And this was a congresswoman that voted for S-510.
I think she has been feeling the heat of the grassroots famers in her district . . .she still does not get it . . . small independent farmers really don't want more government help. . . they just want the government to get out of the way!
Kind regards,
Violet
http://www.kilbyridgefarmmaine.blogspot.com
N.J. residents go to great lengths for raw milk
http://www.nj.com/salem/index.ssf/2011/11/nj_residents_go_to_great_lengt.html
On March 14, the NJ Assembly voted 71 to 6 in favor of passage of raw milk bill. It is still possible the Senate could pass this in 2011.
http://www.gardenstaterawmilk.org/index.asp
I hope that RAWMI is able to make some things happen. I know I have pledged to donate $10 a month, and everyone else should, too!
http://rawmilkinstitute.wordpress.com/support/
You talk about Mark being a leader in this movement. It's not an elected position. If you want to be the leader, then you should start to spend all of the money that Mark does flying all over the country, helping others and educating them about raw milk. Then after you spend all of that time and effort we could probably find some fault with you and not be appreciative at all for any of your positive efforts.
Even if Mark has done something in the past that you don't agree with, it seems to me that he has tried to make things right with you. It seems to me that he has tried to create more transparency and to make his product the best that he can. It seems to me that Mark has given and continues to give a great deal of time and effort to the raw milk movement. If Mark really was a bad person, as it seems you want us all to make sure we know about, then I don't think he would spend so much time traveling around the country trying to help others. I don't think any of Mark's time outside of California helps the bottom line for OP at all. If he only cared about himself, I think he would only concern himself with his market area and the rest of us would just have to fend for ourselves. I am grateful for all of the people that stick their necks out and try to help others out. There have been many and I would assume that none of them are perfect.
Amanda, I think you should start a dairy and then you could do it right for all of us to see. I am sure that nothing you decide to do would ever be taken the wrong way by anyone else and every decision you make would be accepted and above any criticism from anyone. Do that and show us how it is done.
Sincerely,
Brandon
He used to ship his milk,et al across the USA to various states, he had a huge "market area"…. His "market area" has shrunk significantly. Crossing state lines is a no no for raw milk.
If I was buying a product that I thought came from certain cows and was to find out later that the milk product (s) were outsourced and the farmer did not tell me, I'd be sure and let everyone know what that farmer did. If there is deception in the past, why should there be beliefs there it would not re-occur? People do not change.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/14/locally-grown-food_n_1092146.html?ref=food
"found that farm sales to people like Anderson have just about doubled in the past two decades, from about $650 million, adjusted for inflation, in the early 1990s to about $1.2 billion these days. "
The food movement is growing and raw milk products are included in that. "Grassroots is the answer . . .to the monetary deficits . . . not some RAWMI certifier . . . ." Violet is so right. Power in the people.
"I agree that grass roots support is needed, but how do you get that support? You teach, you teach, you teach, and I think RAWMI will be able to help teach. "
There has been slow growing "grassroots movement" growing for years.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2106710_start-grassroots-movement.html
http://farmandranchfreedom.org/action-1-11-11
http://drsachaelliott.com/2011/10/16/816/
http://3wheeledcheese.com/2011/10/21/raw-milk-and-the-grassroots-food-movement/
http://books.google.com/books?id=V73jSWmZV00C&pg=PA168&lpg=PA168&dq=how+to+get+grassroots+support+raw+milk&source=bl&ots=ZUf1a8oOoE&sig=Hd3yqqypRH0m33OQbLdQ0UHTRCs&hl=en&ei=TOzBTr74HcO_gQeF8eW3Bw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CE4Q6AEwCA#v=onepage&q&f=false
I think Mark cares. Is he perfect? Well who is perfect? I don't think he woke up one morning and decided to run for the "Raw Milk Leader" position. I think that what has happened is he has been in a position (through experience and through fiscal resources) to be able to spread the word about raw milk and he has chosen to act on that ability. Other people I think are trying to help the Raw Milk movement in their own ways – which is great.
So what does trying to tear Mark down help the movement? Most times that Amanda posts on this forum, the outsourcing issue comes up. Unless someone is completely new to this forum, we have all heard about it and we probably all have our own opinions about it. How many more times does it need to be brought up?
Do we need to prevent anyone from helping the Raw Milk Movement unless they pass a perfectly clean past history check? Who could do that? We should just say – "No, I'm sorry you don't have a perfect past – you shouldn't talk about raw milk."
Your statement that people do not change makes me wonder why you would think that. I think there are some people that choose not to change, but I think that most of us are trying to improve our lives on a daily basis. If someone is trying to improve, is it best to kick them down because of their past? Your statement seems so final. Oh well. I hope everyone has a great night.
Brandon
As you are all aware, class 4 dairy products are not subject to pathogen testing. Class 1 is raw milk for bottling. OP has never ever bottled one drop of outside raw milk. We bought that outside milk so that the consumer begging would stop for raw butter.
It has never been a secret that in the past…. Years ago OPDC purchased raw milk from other organic dairies to make raw butter, a class 4 product. This is legal and this was never a secret. In fact OPDC provided you ( Dr. Rose) with all of the CDFA milk pool records going back several years for your review. OPDC has not purchased any milk in years. Butter has been short for years as a direct result.
To prove my starements. You promised us all a report, instead i get assusations and malicious attacks. The damage you do to the raw milk movement is an act of treason against mothers and babies that need raw milk.
How is your paycheck from the FDA?
RAWMI is an act of sharing humanity. It was formed to help all people to access safe raw milk. It was formed to assist farmers to produce safe raw milk. It was formed to teach the legislatures and regulators about raw milk as our movement grows. We must create a track record of safety to diferentiate human consumption raw milk from PMO CAFO milk that should be pasteurized
It is very suspect that you continue to bring up this very old very understood subject. This leads me to believe that you do not stand with raw milk but instead stand with those that deny mothers and their children safe raw milk
"This leads me to believe that you do not stand with raw milk but instead stand with those that deny mothers and their children safe raw milk "
This statement shows that you are either ignorant of Amanda's writings or you are deliberatly twisting her words for your own agenda because they don't promote you with a clean past.
As for Mark assisting others, no one has said he didn't. many, including Amanda have said that some of Marks ideas were good and appeared well intended. That doesn't mean to walk around with your eyes closed and NOT to voice issues so as to not repeat them. If you are silent and only see one part of an issue then you can fall for anything.
Just think, if you don't learn from history, you will repeat it…. Germany was experiencing a Great Depression, like America, they were grasping for a better way of like. Hitler was a smooth talker, his words were what the people needed to hear. He literally gave food to the hungry population. His words boosted their morale. He then fed the people his propaganda and they swallowed it. Remember he fed them, made their life better since the Great Depression which was still fresh in their minds. Hitlers supporters promoted him, bringing him into power. They became his soldiers, his strategists, and his suppliers. Had he not had this initial support, his actions might have been deemed cruel and unnecessary, and the people would have seen him for what he was.
The most crucial factor to Hitlers rise was the Great Depression…People were without what they felt was needed for survival- much like the food movement….Without the Great depression the German people may have seen what was happening and their mindsets would not have allowed their complete control by one man.
I am grateful to Amanda for bringing up the outsourcing issue and have no problem with it being mentioned repeatedly.
I need access at the CDFA which you could not provide, Mark. I have never looked at Milk Pool records before and have to tool up quite a bit before I will even know if what you sent me was complete. I could take your word for it but that would defeat the purpose for obvious reasons.
It would be fitting here for Mary McG to comment on whether she was surprised to learn that the milk she gave her son was possibly co-mingled with product from a 10K dairy
For newcomers, Mark refers here to butter but he has confirmed himself in the past that he has sourced product for butter, cheese, cream, and colostrum. Read his comment here suggesting it is only butter and you might begin to develop a fluency for the double-speak that's necessary to understand what's happening here in California.
If it appears to you that Mark has tried to "make things right" with me, that's your perspective. Visit the dairy — the part of the herd that actually makes milk, not the "show cows" in the front. Educate yourselves.
@Brandon Re: I should spend my money and make myself a leader, I did actually spend a good bit of time getting Mark on the front page of the Chronicle back in the day. That's when I saw the bulk tankers bringing in product. The dollars I spent on outsourced product now fuels Mark's flights around the country, so yeah, I am paying for all of this in a sense, as are other customers such as Mary McG who paid a premium for a product because of its marketing message.
damaged justice,
Could you please provide a quotation from a biochemistry textbook backing up your claim?
Thank you.
(P.S…Most of the subsidies in this country go to the meat and dairy industry, either as direct payments or indirectly through corn and soy subsidies.)
Please see Earth Google and see that every cow at OPDC is on pastures all of the time.
Earth Google does not lie.
Please come visit and see the truth yourself. Our conditions and pastures plus food safety plan allow OPDC to pass the hardest raw milk Stanards in the world.
I have positive wonderful things to concentrate on today. With friends like Amanda, who needs the FDA or enemies.
Mark, could you please explain to everyone about how you hand cap pints verus larger bottles. This was my question with your outsourcing–was there cross contamination in your bottle machine when you outsourced for colostum in Sept of 2006? Do you remember the answer you gave me?
The human body may "prefer" carbohydrates for energy, but that doesn't mean that carbs are necessary or even healthy, especially grains… reason why so many people are so fat these days.
As one person said earlier, the heart actually prefers fat for energy; and the brain prefers ketones, plus it can get all the sugar it needs from your liver via breakdown of dietary fat and protein. You are healthier to convert your body to fat-burning for energy rather than sugar/carbs.
As this link for the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition says in its concluding paragraph: http://www.ajcn.org/content/75/5/951.2.full
"Although there is certainly no evidence from which to conclude that extreme restriction of dietary carbohydrate is harmless, I was surprised to find that there is similarly little evidence to conclude that extreme restriction of carbohydrate is harmful. In fact, the consequential breakdown of fat as a result of carbohydrate restriction may be beneficial in the treatment of obesity (7). Perhaps it is time to carefully examine the issue of whether carbohydrate is an essential component of human nutrition."
You may also find this article on "Metabolism and Ketosis" interesting, especially considering Michael Schmidt's recent fast:
http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/ketones-and-ketosis/metabolism-and-ketosis/
Can't help but wonder what sort of person keeps bringing up dirt that's been adressed long ago and only seems to drag down and attempt to divide. at this point, it's only reflecting very poor character on her part.
I know Michael and I've met Mark at the conference last year… Amazing and truely caring people! If Michael respects Mark then so do I. and really, Mark had my respect on his own merit
I'm not on Mark scales or even Michaels – we sell "pet food" from 4 cows (our butchershop inspectors are comfortable with that) but I can appreciate completely what RAWMI and Cow Share Canada are providing. Yes the movement was groing at a grass roots level but it will take a lot more than that to have true freedom. If we are EVER to be able to legally provide Raw milk, we NEED organizations like this to build the mass consumer confidence that will demand the change!
I don't WANT to be viewed a "criminal" but of course I believe in the food we raise, so do what I have to for now, and support where I can so that providing real food at a sutainable scale becomes legal at some point!
I am just greatful for people like Michael, Mark, Scott, David and many more who have what it takes to move things in the right direction. Thank you, Thank you Thank you!!! (and I'm just going to ignore the divisive pessemists!)
ps
Looking forward to heading to the Toronto Rally next week and meeting all the Ontario RM crowd I've met on FB! What a uniting effect "Support Michael Schmidt" page had!
"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." – Albert Einstein
I cannot imagine sitting back and not questioning anyone who is trying to change any "laws" whether right or wrong.
Hypothetically; IF Mark is successful in having states laws changed so that certain requirements are met…special milking stanchions, computers, lab testing, cement floors, certain barns, special diets..etc. That may affect the farmer I get my milk from. My farmer may not be able to afford these hypothetical changes and would prevent me from obtaining my milk.
It appears that some do expect those who question Marks rawmi and what he is about to sit back and not say a word, to be blind followers. Then when it is all said and done, I can hear them saying…you should have spoken up. That makes no sense.
"At OPDC the vigor of each cow is a high priority. Our individually named cows are never given antibiotics, hormones, or GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms). Only organic green pasture and approved naturopathic methods are used to feed and care for the cows. Preventative, nature-based healthcare keeps the herd healthy all year."
A post on the WAPF South Bay Yahoo group in 2010 says:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/WAPF-SouthBay/message/16241
"> This is what Aaron McAfee told me:
>
> All the cows are on pasture 100% of the time. He says they don't even have any
lock ups or pens to shut them in. How much of the cows' nutrition comes from the
pasture depends on the time of the year. Now, in the wet muddy winter, they are
getting about 20% from pasture and 80 % from feed, which includes organic
alfalfa hay and organic rolled corn–4 pounds of corn per cow per day. The hay
currently is coming form Nevada. At times they are able to feed hay made from
their own pastures. In the summer the cows get 70% of their nutrition from
irrigated pasture and 30 % from feed."
The OPDC website seems to say that the cows get 100% of their nutrition from pasture. Aaron MacAfee told the WAPF leader in 2010 that the cows get between 20% and 70% of their nutrition from pasture.
Mark–Which is true? The issue here is not that feeding small amounts grain to cows is wrong. The issue is that intentionally misleading your customers is wrong.
On the issue of outsourcing and amends, back when the outsourcing was made public, Mark said he would stop and asked for forgiveness. I saw no attempt to make amends. In fact, what we did see is that he continued to outsource. Is he still outsourcing? Who knows. What I do know is that those 200 milk cows produce a powerful amount of colostrum, filling 300+ retail stores with pints of it every week. Mark does those "Share the Secret" presentations telling consumers about raw milk. There should be a "Share the Secret" presentation for farmer members of RAWMI explaining to them how to get their cows to pump out all of that colostrum
Amanda
There is no contradiction in your quotes.
PASTURE —
1.
a. Grass or OTHER VEGETATION eaten as food by grazing animals.
b. Ground on which such vegetation grows, especially that which is set aside for use by domestic grazing animals.
This argument is ridiculous. If you don't like OP don't buy it. Very simple.
PS. It is dangerous to completely deprive one self of carbs. The body needs readily available energy. Otherwise it will tear down muscles to get it.
Mark's Milk Recalled Again…e.coli…again.
What's the raw milk spin on this one this time?
Organic Pastures is dedicated to the health of families across California. It is our first priority and goal to consistently provide the highest quality and safest raw milk products to all of our consumers. Our dedication to safe clean raw milk reaches far beyond required State of California standards.
Organic Pastures was informed earlier this afternoon by the California Department of Public Health and California Department of Food and Agriculture that over the course of an eight-week period earlier this year, five people tested positive for E. Coli O157:H7; these five consumers reported drinking raw milk.
It is a common goal of Organic Pastures and the California Department of Public Health to rapidly investigate any linkage between these cases and raw milk. Each month CDFA tests all Organic Pastures products for pathogens, in addition Organic Pastures uses a third-party for pathogen testing multiple times per week. All these tests have been negative. It has been reported to us by the California Department of Public Health that as of today all products collected from the ill patients have been negative for E. Coli 0157:H7.
Organic Pastures, in a collaborative effort with the California Department of Public Health and the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is diligently working to quickly resolve this investigation. During this time our raw dairy products will not be available for sale. Our USDA Organic Beef, Truly Raw Cheese, and Organic Pastured Eggs will not be affected by this investigation.
As a family owned company, my wife and I would like to reach out to the families of these affected loved ones. Our heart goes out to them for a speedy recovery.
Organic Pastures Facebook, Twitter, and website will be updated as more information becomes available.
PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT ORGANIC PASTURES DAIRY
NOVEMBER 16TH, 2011 AT 12:00 PM
Contact: Kaleigh Lutz (Marketing-Brand/PR) 559.903.2745 or kaleigh.l@organicpastures.com
Contact: Marcy Oliver (Marketing Coordinator) 559.269.4927 or marcy.o@organicpastures.com
Organic Pastures Dairy
7221 South Jameson
Fresno, CA 93706
Helpful Links:
http://www.organicpastures.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Organic-Pastures-Dairy-RAW-DAIRY-PRODUCTS/171911861180?sk=wall
http://twitter.com/#!/OrganicPastures
Mark's herd is not closed . . . so the bacteria could have hitched a ride from a new organic cow purchase . .
Mark feeds grain so the rumen of his cows are more prone to carrying this pathogen . . .
Mark should have closed his herd years ago after his first scare and been a true 100% grass farmer and spent more time on his farm . . .
Kind regards,
Violet
http://www.kilbyridgefarmmaine.blogspot.com
Wow, and we are just now hearing about it? Why only 5 kids ill?
"epidemiologic data collected by the California Department of Public Health link the illnesses with Organic Pastures raw milk. "
Why have they not stated what that data is? Being vague does not encourage trust.
His herd isn't closed? I had thought it was.
It seems that it doesn't matter what Mark is doing. He cannot do it right according to some.
RAWMI is objectively looked at a necessary step and a step in the right direction.
The only problem seems to be that many just focus on Mark and not on the issue.
Whatever Mark is doing wrong will be equally critically looked at from third party inspectors in order to get he qualit seal for raw milk.
Who says that RAWMI will be run by Organic Pastures. Mark knows better than anybody else that you cannot serve two masters.
Third party accreditation is a necessary step in order to get credibility.
I do not think It is wise or smart or fruitful to keep piling up dirt in order to undermine what the intend of RAWMI is.
For Gods Sake stop slandering and pointing fingers. If you are really interested in a better future for safe and healthy raw milk become more tolerant. Nobody is perfect.
Let's develop the Institute and start working together towards acceptable standards for safe and nutritious raw milk.
Mark no need to respond and justify, there is soo much work to do ,to move forward.Do not waste energy on senseless discussions.
I am always for constructive criticism but not for mudslinging.
I decided to work with RAWMI because it is a necessary next step to develop credibility and transparency .
If there is any doubt about the intention , wait and see but please do not kill every good intention with negativity.
Goal: RAWMI will be an independent institution run by third party individuals, financed through farmer and consumers. Governed by trustees.
Anybody who wants to come forward to finance this upfront please come forward.
Anybody who has a better idea please come forward.
Anybody who is willing to take as much criticism as Mark does please come forward to take the beating, Mark had his share by now.
Anybody who is willing to support please join.
Anybody who questions the intention of RAWMI and Mark please give me a call.
519 369 8137
I will work with Mark to help that this important initiative will succeed. It will succeed because it is necessary.
Warm regards
Michael
I asked Mark if he had a closed herd almost a year ago and he stated that he was still bringing in "ORGANIC" cows from other reputable farms . . .whatever that meant . . .
I think that may be the source of his outbreak . . . . the reason that nothing has been found probably was a carrier animal was sent to the butcher . . . those "Organic Replacements from Reputable Farms" keep his herd cycled . . . after all . . . Holsteins only have maybe a three – four year lifetime of producing milk on grain . . .Organic cows have a shorter lifespan because you cannot treat even a minor infection with conventional antibiotics.
Kind regards,
Violet
http://www.kilbyridgefarmmaine.blogspot.com
We don't know squat yet.
The facts are not in. Miguel's wisdom resonates in my mind, and many questions present themselves. Let's stay humble until we have more information. (that will probably take 10 years or more….)
-Blair
I had thought you read through this blog, apparently not. If you had read all the posts, you would see what many posters issues are, and it isn't slinging mud on Mark, it is his words and actions that are his albatross.
There is no point in re-iterating what has already been said. Your words show you aren't of an opened mind and willing to listen to all, no different than Mark. Selective hearing and discussion. Too bad.
Exactly. If you are not 100% behind Mark and OPDC, you are against Raw Milk. This is the type of thinking that Sally Fallon and WAPF as a whole promotes.
Kristen
I have read enough to be able to come to the conclusion that there are always two sides to each story.
I am not taking sides. I want to move forward instead of rehashing over and over again the same issues.
We all need to learn, we all need to tolerate, and we all need to be free to come to the conclusion that we make mistakes and reflect on these mistakes.
If Mark made a mistake give him the opportunity to deal with it in a civilized manner.
He cannot move forward with constant attacks.
Screaming " repent, repent, repent" will solve nothing.
How can I help you? Might make all the difference.
Regards
Michael
We love you, supported what you did with your hunger strike, wish we lived closer so we could be one of your consumers, hope to meet you someday.
I lived in Germany for three years and learned your home language . . . you remind me so much of my elderly German landlord . . he dressed like you, looked like you and even made music like you do . . .he welcomed Mark and I . . . at the end of three years he demanded that we call him by his first name which was quite an honor.
I hate to say this . . . but respectfully, I have to disagree with you about RAWMI. I saw what happened to the Organic label . . . yes, this was also run by a third party . . .
As a fellow farmer . . .and consumer of raw milk . . . .small, local and niche . . . is the only way to keep this product healthy, and clean . . . just as it was locally produced prior to WW!! all across the US and Canada. Farmers to Consumers . . . no middlemen such as bottlers or distributors . . . that is what ruined raw milk . . . oh and those that fed distillery grains, and were the originators of the CAFO model in the big cities in the early 20th century . . . we are not talking about that . . . 100% grassfed with total transparency at a local level . . .bottles left at the doorstep again (in coolers this time around:) . . . that is what I am talking about.
Kind regards,
Violet
http://www.kilbyridgefarmmaine.blogspot.com
Sylvia, you were not at the WAPF conference where Michael endorsed RAWMI but stated that Mark should not be the leader of RAWMI, and Mark agreed.
Read that again.
I had the privilege to listen in on key discussions at the WAPF conference, and it was apparent to me that Mark did not comprehend the small farmer's concerns – he had a tendency to disregard their distrust in favor of his vision; believing in good faith that we could change regulators' opinions .
I went to MIchael's lecture on Biodynamic Bovine health. You would have loved it His vision was radiant health, quality soil, 3 generations of culling and breeding the best, tailoring your herd the way you want, even down to colors – just as you like it. His pictures had cows with rainbows on their coats. Stunningly beautiful. Creative, loving attention and conscientious care..
Contrast this with RAWMI RAMP- night and day.
I am so grateful that Michael will add his voice to RAWMI!
-Blair
Lets say the next child became ill sometime in September. Again, the blueprint of E.coli gets recorded and sent the PulseNet. Someone at PulseNet checks for outbreaks; two matching E.coli 0157:H7 blueprints is all it takes to determine an outbreak. Once this is discovered the California department of public health would be contacted about the information. Public health nurses would now contact the families to determine a common food consumed, restaurant visited, body of water played in, petting zoo visited, etc. While they are doing this, more ill kids appear. They now have to interview these families. This is why it takes so long.
In 2006, two of the kids ended up at the same childrens hospital, parents discovered they both drank raw milk and one of the moms called CDFA to report the ill kids. Even when this happened it took two weeks to connect the dots. My son entered the hospital on September 7th and the recall did not take place until September 22nd. Discovering an outbreak takes time.
I was not the one who "screamed repent". During 2006, I was buying OP cream and milk, I was not aware at the time it was not OP's cream, but out sourced cream…..I felt deceived.
I have agreed with much of what Mark has said, I also have spoken out against what I did not agree with and/or questioned what did not sound right to me. Sometimes I got an answer, sometimes I got the run-around and sometimes I was ignored.
I have said to begin an entity to teach the masses was a good thing,and to teach farmer who want to know is a good thing also. The way Mark posted on this blog was basically go with him completely or you'll be in the category of farmer that didn't give a rip about healthy milk, sanitation and kids…
Mark needs someone to guide/teach him in answering questions and not alienating others. And NO, I am not saying be politically correct. I have also told Mark, on this blog, that he should fine tune how he addresses others,as he truly does alienate many. I would hazard to guess if Mark told people that he did not have all the answers to the questions put forth to him, there would be respect. People don't like to have manure dumped on them.
If I was a small dairy farmer, 2-4 cows, I may be interested in learning what rawmi had to teach, I may even be willing to pay for classes. I would not want to be verbally assaulted if I chose not to join, or participate in the entity otherwise.
Mark shouldn't be leader of RAWMI as that would be a conflict of interest.
I have been reading this blog for a long time and am very familiar with the various issues that you have brought up concerning Mark. I have not said that they are not valid. I do notice that Mark has answered those questions in the past and that you rarely bring up those answers in your repeated posts about these previous issues.
I believe you were looking for some reports from Mark, pestered him for the reports for a long time. Recently he supposedly sent them to you.
Question(s) for you:
What have you learned from these reports?
What were you looking for in these reports?
Did they raise additional concerns?
Did the appear to be complete?
Did they answer your concerns?
I look forward to your answers.
I understand the hesitancy you have when it comes to Mark, I would have it myself if I were buying raw milk from him.
Yes it was a pot shot, but, so what. You're a big girl I am sure you can handle it.
I am in the building industry. I have to deal with third party certification in many different areas and I tend to view these as nothing more than money grabs. No I am not saying this about RAWMI as I do not know enough about it nor do I have the time or inclination to research it I. I have in the past taken products through Dade county certification, Florida building certification, national fenestration rating council (NFRC). I work with the government in specifications for military buildings, nightmare doesn't begin to describe it. I say this to show that, while a different industry, I deal with the politics of testing, third party certification, and companies that use these to eliminate competition.
I do believe that there should be some required testing on raw milk. Yes it will cost $$ for the farmers. Yes, I may have to pay more for my raw milk due to this. So be it.
IF there is required testing than I question why RAWMI is needed as it raises a valid concern that this organization will be a tool to shut down those not participating. I, along with my department, spend at least 5 hours a week dealing with third party requirements that we do not have, yet we have all the required testing to pass the third party requirements. We simply choose not pay the fees to get the label. Yet, I know, that at some point we will as it will be cheaper to pay the fees than to spend time, energy, and resources showing why we don't need it.
The RAWMI that starts today will NOT be the same RAWMI that is in existence in 5 years, 10 years, 15 years etc.
If the goal is a seat at the table you have already lost.
The Common Standards were actually developed by an international team. They serve as a universal talking point for what safe raw milk is. Some farmers are held to differing state or country standards but this is something we can all agree upon, that when your milk meets these Common Standards, it will be safe. Use of Common Standards will help us when we talk to law makers who have been sufficiently confused by the wide spectrum of different standards previously. How each farmer arrives at those standards is unique to his or her farm operation and will be defined in their own Food Safety Plan which RAWMI will assist them in developing.
Just to clarify some questions posted earlier: Yes, we did have 500 people join RAWMI at the WAP conference, but I want to correct that they did not all sign up to give monthly donations – far from it. It is FREE to join RAWMI and share your contact information with us to begin receiving our updates. We want everyone to have access to our resources at no cost. As you get to see what we are doing, we trust you will want to donate and become a member. At my insistence, we did not set a dollar amount for membership because we know times are tough and we believe people will follow their hearts and convictions to do what they can to help us advocate for access.
We are not affiliated with OPDC, nor operated by OPDC, and I appreciate the latitude I have had to lead this organization. I have an extensive resume both in my wholistic upbringing and my State Capitol legislative background that started by fighting City Hall, including winning a City Council election where I busted up the "good 'ole boys" who were taking advantage of those who could not fight for themselves. My Pre-med degree and Bachelor's Degree in Management and business consulting experience helps me with the big picture and daily operations.
A wise individual told me once that it is rare to make a difference from the outside – you often times must get on the inside to make effective changes. I have found that to be very true. Today, I know the system that oppresses us and I know I can make effective change. For the chance to do that on a national basis, I am very grateful! I look forward to getting to know all of you and enjoyed meeting many of you at the conference.