Re: WA State Dairy Regulations

[Guest guest]

Thank you very much for that information. I *assume* from what you are saying here that with this new regulation it would be possible that raw milk sales in the stores would increase. I certainly am hoping so.

Blessings,

-AngelKirkland Washington

Hi Folks,This is Chrys from Washington State. I work with the Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network on developing new markets for organic and sustainably produced farm products (www.wsffn.org). I'm also a micro-scale organic farmer. I've raised dairy goats in the past and am slowly gearing up to do dairy goats again.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the great explanation of the proposed WA State regulatory

changes, Chrys! I was wondering what they might mean for me as a

potential dairy producer. It is super to hear about your work and

the direction you would like to see the rules go. I would be happy

to testify or write letters as needed about these ideas.

Currently I am studying small-scale (yes, grass-based) dairying and

expect to be able to get my first cow in the spring. My decision

about whether to go commercial is definitely influenced by the

regulatory environment. For example, the recent FDA article

discussed here mentioned the FDA is " looking at " raw milk cheeses,

which means any investment I make in cheese-making

training/equipment/marketing is now higher-risk. I was just talking

to a friend tonight who also wants to get into grass-fed dairy, and

she is struggling with how to raise the capital for land, a herd,

building improvements, milking equipment and a sanitary setup all at

once. If we could advertise a cow-share program similar to a CSA

(community-supported agriculture) program, we could raise money up

front to help with some of this. The market is there. I have spoken

with several people who want to become our customers.

Ok, I'll get off my soapbox for now, but I just wanted to say it's

wonderful to read about some possible relief for those of us who

want to provide this service/product to our communities. Thanks!

Sara

[Guest guest]

Sara,

Why don't you become a Weston A Price Chapter Leader? We currently don't

have any in your state. It would be a great way for you to communicate to

people in your area.

Think about it. Check out the Weston A Price Foundation website listed

below.

Hahn

Chapter Leader - Pittsburgh

Weston A Price Foundation

www.westonaprice.org

Thanks for the great explanation of the proposed WA State regulatory

changes, Chrys! I was wondering what they might mean for me as a

potential dairy producer. It is super to hear about your work and

the direction you would like to see the rules go. I would be happy

to testify or write letters as needed about these ideas.

Currently I am studying small-scale (yes, grass-based) dairying and

expect to be able to get my first cow in the spring. My decision

about whether to go commercial is definitely influenced by the

regulatory environment. For example, the recent FDA article

discussed here mentioned the FDA is " looking at " raw milk cheeses,

which means any investment I make in cheese-making

training/equipment/marketing is now higher-risk. I was just talking

to a friend tonight who also wants to get into grass-fed dairy, and

she is struggling with how to raise the capital for land, a herd,

building improvements, milking equipment and a sanitary setup all at

once. If we could advertise a cow-share program similar to a CSA

(community-supported agriculture) program, we could raise money up

front to help with some of this. The market is there. I have spoken

with several people who want to become our customers.

Ok, I'll get off my soapbox for now, but I just wanted to say it's

wonderful to read about some possible relief for those of us who

want to provide this service/product to our communities. Thanks!

Sara

[Guest guest]

Sara,

Why don't you become a Weston A Price Chapter Leader? We currently don't

have any in your state. It would be a great way for you to communicate to

people in your area.

Think about it. Check out the Weston A Price Foundation website listed

below.

Hahn

Chapter Leader - Pittsburgh

Weston A Price Foundation

www.westonaprice.org

Thanks for the great explanation of the proposed WA State regulatory

changes, Chrys! I was wondering what they might mean for me as a

potential dairy producer. It is super to hear about your work and

the direction you would like to see the rules go. I would be happy

to testify or write letters as needed about these ideas.

Currently I am studying small-scale (yes, grass-based) dairying and

expect to be able to get my first cow in the spring. My decision

about whether to go commercial is definitely influenced by the

regulatory environment. For example, the recent FDA article

discussed here mentioned the FDA is " looking at " raw milk cheeses,

which means any investment I make in cheese-making

training/equipment/marketing is now higher-risk. I was just talking

to a friend tonight who also wants to get into grass-fed dairy, and

she is struggling with how to raise the capital for land, a herd,

building improvements, milking equipment and a sanitary setup all at

once. If we could advertise a cow-share program similar to a CSA

(community-supported agriculture) program, we could raise money up

front to help with some of this. The market is there. I have spoken

with several people who want to become our customers.

Ok, I'll get off my soapbox for now, but I just wanted to say it's

wonderful to read about some possible relief for those of us who

want to provide this service/product to our communities. Thanks!

Sara

[Guest guest]

Hi, . I'm in Washington state, and there are 10 chapters

already, including one in the town of Redmond, where I am at now. I

would be happy to step up if needed in the future, though!

> Sara,

>

> Why don't you become a Weston A Price Chapter Leader? We

currently don't

> have any in your state. It would be a great way for you to

communicate to

> people in your area.

>