There’s a new type of raw milk dispute now going on in suburban Chicago. It seems so many people are coming to pick up their cow share milk on one street that residents are becoming upset. Rather than using stings, the authorities there are applying zoning laws.
The article describing this situation, in a suburban paper, actually seems pretty straightforward. I have two reactions.
First, this seems just further evidence of mushrooming demand for raw milk. The cowshare in this community has grown over the last few years to 300 members who are consuming something on the order of 338 gallons of milk each week. And additional cowshares are operating from other areas of Chicago.
Second, I think the leader of this cow share should move before she is shoved. One of the complaints members of Richard Hebron’s Michigan co-op always had was that the authorities never provided any warning that they objected to use of a retailer’s storage area for distribution. After the confiscation of his milk, co-op members found another distribution site, and that relieved significant tension.
In this Chicago situation, it seems like the authorities have tried to refrain from cracking down on the cowshare. Now, in response to complaining neighbors, they may have no choice.
There are right and wrong times to stand up and fight. This cowshare may be picking the wrong time.
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Guess I’ll have to learn the fine points of cooking grass-fed beef. I have the all-American habit of throwing my steak on the grill, searing it, and priding myself on my ability to pull it off when it’s medium-rare.
I’ll have to look at some of the literature, though I suspect more marinating is in order, along with slower cooking methods. Still and all, I need to learn from the farmer if there’s more to the inconsistency than my lack of cooking experience. I definitely have more questions to ask, and may be able to sound as if I know a thing or two.
I may be naive, but the zoning here is pretty clear that for the restrictions to kick in it has to be a business, and then limits car traffic so it can’t be a big business. With the cow shares there is no buying and selling, I’m not making a cent on this, I don’t think it is a business so it doesn’t fall within the law. I still want to keep my neighbors happy, and a low profile is critical for that. If we had 10 people or more a day stopping by that would clearly be a problem on my small street. Time to create more pick up points.
Just another reason why I support multiple small operations.
But many neighbors can be pacified with free butter and yogurt, cheese, etc.
I guess the bottom line is that when you want to revolutionize the world sometimes it generates a bit more traffic.Not everyone understands.
Marinades add flavor; they do not tenderize according to Shannon Hayes. I tend to agree. I like to season steaks with a salt/pepepr rub before grilling and let them sit a bit to take the chill off.
For great steaks (quick cooking), I preheat the grill on high (Weber gas), then adjust the burners so that one area is low heat and one area is medium hot (move coals to achieve same with charcoal grill). Sear the steaks on the hotter area for 1-2 minutes on each side (that will give you nice grill marks but will not "char" the entire side). Then give each side 4-5 minutes on the lower heat side. I turn steaks with a pigtail turner (*very* sharp pick with a twist at the end to hook the meat without enough of a puncture to lose juice). I test for doneness with the "touch" test, but an instant read thermometer is good, too (but leaks juices).
Since I started grilling steaks this way, every one has been superb.
"…get away with it" is an interesting choice of words. Tupperware parties and the like probably do violate one code or another in many communities. What we learn from that situation is that there is often a disconnect between regulations and reality.
Unfortunately, its our nature to set up rules, then play games with them. Most people know, for example, that zoning regulations were not intended to snare Grandma and her scrapbooking parties. Nevertheless, those same people, feeling stepped on by, say, increased traffic on their street, will gladly turn to the law for redress, even if it makes Grandma a minor criminal. Thats surely not the most humane way to solve ones problems–it smacks of selfish self-righteousness.
Now I wouldnt advocate a lawless society (or even a regulationless society) to avoid those problems. But I think we should all recognize that rules cannot be fairly applied with iron and granite. A good judge knows when to say, Oh, come one!
Also, by being a bad neighbor and attempting to make a legal stand for the privilege, this distributor manages to create an opening for those looking to demonize raw milk. Thats a shame, and ridiculous–like blaming the ink for the story–but there it is.
Again, please, in life generally, just recognize the realities, and act accordingly. Be nice.
In order slice it very thin, I like to make it in the afternoon, let it cool, then chill it in the fridge before slicing for dinner. Then when I slice it is better than any deli roast beef! Great for a summer cold platter!
By the way, I also very much like using a wireless remote thermometer for roasts, especially if I am in the kitchen but the meat is cooking on the grill outside. It really helps me pace my dinner prep when I can keep an eye on the cooking progress by temp.
The issue was not one of cooking. My current farmer uses angus beef and dry ages the meat for 21 days. It is very tender and the tender cuts can be cooking at high temperatures. It depends on the breed and how much aging occurs.
Rob
And not all small, direct suppliers allow for a "sampling" purchase before the customer commits to a large order. If I had to order blindly, I think I would seek out referrals from others who buy grassfed. Dr. Mike Eades at http://www.proteinpower.com had a favorite source he likes, for instance.
I wasn’t wild about the local whole butchered, frozen lamb I bought from a woman I knew from my wool/spinning circles a few years ago, but at a cost of $225 or so, we managed to get through it (my son would only eat it ground – too "chewy). That experience made me shy about committing to a larger quantity of meat until I had more knowledge/experience/an opportunity to sample first. But it seems easier to find and learn now than it was a few years ago when I first started making the distinction.
Hello. I am the lady who runs the Chicago co-op in which, to my knowledge, only 1 neigbor is complaining about the traffic.
Never, once did this neighbor come to me personally to discuss their objections. They have only called the police, zoning department, health department and media. I spoke with them finally about 4 weeks ago, when during co-op the couple’s grown son was yelling obscenities and curses to my co-op members.
When I attempted to be cooperative and understanding of their complaints of having difficulty getting into their drive after work or the fear of not being able to allow children to play due to the traffic, I offered to move my time to a later time– even midnight if necessary– when they would be home from work and children would be in bed. They did not acknowledge my proposed solution and went to another contention which I then overcame as well. So I realized that nothing I was going to say or do would satisfy them except to say I will not do this anymore. Obviously I did not give that as an option.
My co-op and its members have always shown due respect to the neighbors. I have very specific parking rules that I know my members are following and these co-op members are not speeding down the road recklessly like some of the neighbors or their guests do.
This is not a commercial business!! It is a private gathering and if zoning were to "force" me to stop, then they would have to restrict everyone to a certain number of visitors at any given time. And I believe that would be communism.
We live in unincorporated Cook County and the subdivision consists of high end homes on 3/4 acre lots. People have parties here and I have counted up to 30 cars at some of these gatherings,and these cars were parked on both sides of the street which truly made it difficult to get in and out of the subdivision.
My co-op lasts only 2 hours and the flow is moderate. Not even 15 cars are here at one time. We move the people through quickly, quietly and without notice.
Maybe these people should find something better to do with their time. Like take care of 5 children and a co-op and then maybe they would be too busy (like the rest of us) to notice.
Thank you,
Sheri